Starmont board approves personnel hires, policy updates and up-to-$30,000 van purchase

The Starmont Community School District board met Aug. 12 in the high school conference room and approved a consent agenda that included multiple personnel hires and resignations, adoption of several board policies on second reading, appointments to a reconsideration committee and authorization to purchase a district van for up to $30,000.

The board, led by President Tony Recker, voted 3-0 to approve the consent agenda after Jacob Moellers moved to accept it and Julie Uhlenkamp seconded. Items in the consent agenda included approval of minutes (July 8 and July 30), monthly financial reports and bills (audited by President Recker), volunteer coach approvals and annual contracts such as a concurrent enrollment agreement with Northeast Iowa Community College. The consent agenda also listed 12 recommended hires for coaching and teaching roles and two resignations; all were approved as part of the motion.

The personnel slate approved in the consent agenda included recommendations for athletics and mentoring: Christy Keppler (MS assistant volleyball coach); Jake Munger (head softball coach) and other head and junior-high coaches; multiple new teacher mentors including Kelly Lyon, Kristen Ostrander, Heather Schoulte and Maggie Tucker; and Matt Lee for early physical education. The board recorded resignations from Mary Jo Bergan (secondary para) and Matt Lee (high school head track coach). Volunteer coaches approved included Crystal Permann (JH volleyball) and Nathan Meyers and Ron Thole for football roles.

On the second reading of board policies, the board approved a package of policy updates and rescissions as presented with Superintendent Robert Busch’s recommendations. The adopted items included policies numbered 200.04; 206.03; 401.06; 402.03; 501.03; 501.09; 501.09R1; 501.14; 501.15; 502.06; 505.02; 603.01; 603.12; 607.02; 710.01; 801.03; 803.02; and 905.03, and the board rescinded 501.09E1, 501.10 and 501.10R1. Julie Uhlenkamp moved to approve the policies with the superintendent’s recommendations; Jacob Moellers seconded. The motion carried 3-0.

The board also approved appointments to the Reconsideration Committee, naming Patty Lincoln, Angie Happel and Taryn Weaber with alternates Audrey Hansen and Meg Gelner. In separate motions the board authorized soliciting bids for obsolete equipment and approved employee, secondary and elementary handbooks as presented.

In procurement action, the board authorized the purchase of a district van for up to $30,000 after a motion by Uhlenkamp, seconded by Moellers; the vote was 3-0. The board discussed a Turf Tank subscription but took no action on that item.

Administrators gave brief reports. Elementary Principal Heath Hesse presented an updated elementary handbook. Secondary Principal Kris Martin said new teacher day is Aug. 15 and noted participation in PBIS attendance activities was low last year and that the district is considering targeting PBIS efforts to grades 6–8 to improve engagement. Activity Director Tracy Curtis said a new ice machine was installed, staff are deciding what to do with the old unit, calendars are being moved into Bound to refresh the activity calendar on the district website, and that football, volleyball and cross-country practices began that day. Superintendent Robert Busch said sessions at the SAI conference emphasized attendance and engagement, encouraged board members to sign up for the School Board Convention, noted auditors will be on site Aug. 16 and thanked custodial staff for summer work.

The meeting adjourned at 7:51 PM after a motion by Uhlenkamp and second by Moellers. All recorded motions in the minutes carried by voice vote 3-0.