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Staples-Motley school board approves BCBS health plan for 2026, accepts multiple resignations and hears facility plan presentation
Summary
At its Oct. 6, 2025 meeting the Staples-Motley School District school board approved Better Health Collective/BCBS as the district health insurer for 1-1-2026 through 12-31-2026, accepted a consent agenda including several staff resignations and one hire, and heard a presentation on long-term facility planning by ICS.
The Staples-Motley School District school board met Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, at the district office and approved Better Health Collective/BCBS as the district’s health insurance provider for the 2026 plan year (coverage dated 1-1-2026 to 12-31-2026). The motion to adopt the insurer was made by Member Reeck and seconded by Chair Freeman; the minutes record the motion as carried but do not list a numeric vote tally.
The decision on insurance was the most substantive action on a brief agenda that included routine procedural items and personnel matters. Chair Freeman called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.; a quorum was recorded with Members Wright, Frisk, Reeck, Trout and Freeman present and Member Reese absent. Chair Freeman read a summary of the superintendent performance review during the meeting record.
The board approved a consent agenda that included acceptance of the Sept. 22 meeting minutes and a fundraiser request from the volleyball program. The consent agenda also recorded multiple staff departures: Samantha Schmipp (JH basketball coach & assistant softball coach), Katie Muller (MS/HS paraprofessional), Evan Woodwick (elementary custodian), Deanna Anderson (assistant softball coach), Kelsey Schmidt (assistant softball coach) and Emma Gerard (assistant softball coach). The board also accepted the resignation/retirement of Lori Miller, MS/HS paraprofessional, effective Dec. 31, 2025. The consent agenda included the hire of Patrick Mertens as IT technician. That package was approved on a motion by Member Trout, seconded by Member Frisk; the minutes note the motion carried without listing a roll-call tally.
The agenda also included a presentation and review of long-term facility planning by ICS. The meeting minutes record that ICS presented materials, but they do not include substantive detail of the presentation or any formal action tied to it.
The board adjourned at 6:45 p.m. on a motion by Member Reeck, seconded by Member Frisk. The minutes list upcoming meetings on Oct. 20, Nov. 3, Nov. 17, Dec. 1 (work session & Truth in Taxation) and Dec. 10 (policy committee).
