North Polk board approves consent agenda, MSAs and policy readings; advances early-retirement incentive for first reading

The North Polk Comm School District board met in regular session and approved a series of routine and budget-related items, including camera equipment purchases, district audits, and MSA requests to the state School Budget Review Committee (SBRC).

At the start of business the board adopted the meeting agenda on a voice vote after Speaker 3 moved to approve and Speaker 1 seconded. Later, the consent agenda passed on a unanimous voice vote.

Mr. Klein highlighted planned camera and server purchases for district buildings tied to the West renovation ($30,840 for cameras and a local server) and reminded the board of the district’s annual fiscal audit obligation under Iowa law. Technology staff reported they completed new network switch installations at the high school and are working at the middle school and Big Creek.

Personnel business included announcement and congratulations for Seth Pohlberg on his promotion to executive director of operations and human resources; the board noted that a search for a new high-school principal will follow.

In new business, the board approved on first reading an early-retirement incentive for the 2025–26 school year that would provide 20% of a qualifying employee’s final-year base wage. Eligibility as presented would include certified staff and administrators who are age 55 or older by June 30, 2026, and who have been continuously employed by the district for more than 10 years; staff said zero employees elected the program last year. Speaker 3 moved approval of the first reading and Speaker 16 seconded; the motion passed on a voice vote.

The board approved second and final readings of several policies reviewed by the policy committee, including clarification to policy 02/2008 distinguishing standing committees from ad hoc committees for open-meeting-law purposes. The board’s motion to approve the second and final readings carried on a voice vote.

Finance and state-request items included two MSA requests to the SBRC. Staff described an MSA request to cover English-learner instructional eligibility beyond five years that amounts to an additional $3,354.96 based on two eligible students; the board approved submitting that request. Separately, the board approved an MSA request for open-enrollment out funding; the transcript records the requested amount as $260,000.325 and staff clarified that ESAs (education savings accounts) were not listed as part of this request.

The meeting concluded with member remarks celebrating student achievements and an announced motion to enter a closed session under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(e) for student-discipline matters.