The Caledonia Community Schools Board of Education on Nov. 18 approved a contract with JKB Construction Inc. to remodel the former district administration offices, passed resolutions on insulin litigation and the district's annual summer tax levy, approved its consent agenda and conducted a first reading of a package of Neola policy updates.

The board voted to contract with JKB Construction Inc. for $345,000 to renovate space vacated by district administration. The motion was moved and seconded and carried by roll call with the members present voting in favor; two members had notified the board they would be absent. Board members said construction is expected to start in January and the contractor listed a 3.5-month work schedule. District staff told the board the area is isolated from active student spaces and that disruption should be minimal.

Those items were part of a consent and action package approved at the meeting that also included: approval of meeting minutes for Oct. 21 and Nov. 13, 2024; October 2024 payables; November 2024 personnel reports; an insulin litigation resolution; and the district's annual summer tax resolution. The board also conducted a first reading of a multi-item Neola policy update that will return for final vote next month.

Why it matters: The construction contract repurposes existing district space and is funded through the district's capital program; the policy updates include revisions tied to federal grant-management rules and updates to student-device, safety and background-check procedures. The insulin litigation resolution and the summer tax resolution are formal public-policy positions the district adopted by vote.

Public comment and student recognition preceded the votes. Katie, speaking on behalf of the Caledonia Education Association, thanked outgoing board members and highlighted fall activities and staff support efforts across the district. "On behalf of the CEA, we'd like to wish everyone in the Caledonia community a healthy and thankful holiday season," she said. The board also recognized senior Peter Parlberg, who was commended as a National Merit-commended student; Parlberg said, "I just wanted to say thank you."

What the board said about policy changes: District staff summarized a long list of Neola policy changes being brought as a first reading, including updates to conflict-of-interest bylaws, policies governing use of personal communication devices, CPR/AED and cardiac response language tied to recent state law, federal grant-management and procurement rules, and a clarification on small unmanned aircraft systems. Staff said some older policies that no longer match current practice were recommended for deletion. The board voted to conduct a first reading; final adoption is scheduled for the Dec. meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (minutes, payables, personnel reports): approved by roll call; outcome: approved.
- Contract with JKB Construction Inc., remodel of former district administration offices, $345,000: approved by roll call; outcome: approved.
- Insulin litigation resolution: approved by roll call; outcome: approved.
- Annual summer tax resolution: approved by roll call; outcome: approved.
- First reading of Neola policy revisions (multiple policy numbers): conducted; final vote scheduled for December.

Next steps: The construction contract work is expected to begin in January, district staff said. The Neola policy package will return for a final vote at the board's December meeting. The board also scheduled forthcoming bid openings on bond-related projects (see separate discussion at the Nov. 18 meeting).