Starmont board adopts FY25 budget amendment, approves curriculum, technology and multiple contracts

The Starmont Community School District Board adopted a fiscal‑year 2024–25 budget amendment and approved a series of curriculum purchases, vendor contracts and personnel items during its May 12 regular meeting in the high school conference room.

The board voted 5‑0 to adopt the FY25 budget amendment after a brief public hearing that produced no public comment. President Julie Uhlenkamp opened the hearing at 7:01 p.m. and closed it at 7:02 p.m., and the board then approved the amendment on a motion by Tony Recker, seconded by Jacob Moellers.

Board members approved several instructional materials and vendor quotes. Elementary Wilson Language Training was approved for $6,715.44 (motion by Recker), elementary Kendall Hunt materials for $6,525.00 (motion by Moellers) and secondary Kendall Hunt materials for $3,278.04 (motion by Vicki Althoff); all three motions carried 5‑0. The board also adopted the 9–12 EnVision Math curriculum at a cost of $30,945.20, with the board noting a preference to split the payment over two years (motion by Moellers, seconded by Althoff). Separately, the board approved purchase of Chromebooks from CDW for $29,160.00 (motion by Althoff).

The board approved several service agreements and vendor contracts for FY26. A contract to transfer state funding to Keystone AEA and an FY26 service agreement with Keystone AEA for educational, media and technology services were approved, followed by a FY26 Technology Services Agreement with Keystone AEA for a .8 FTE position at $65,279.51 (motions by Moellers, Althoff and Puffett respectively; all carried 5‑0). The board also approved an FY26 student therapist agreement with RT Counseling that includes the option for one day of summer services per month.

Facility and maintenance actions included approval of yearly building maintenance (tuckpointing) work by SMI up to $75,000. That motion, made by Tony Recker and seconded by Jacob Moellers, carried 4‑0 with President Uhlenkamp recorded as abstaining. The board approved a flooring bid from Furniture Showcase for $18,614.44 (motion by Althoff) and took no action on a separate cabinet door replacement item.

Personnel actions were handled as part of the consent agenda. The board approved hires and transfers, including Amanda Emery (special education), McKenna Schaufenbuel (secondary English) and others; it accepted resignations from Bridget Koester and Jill Berger (elementary paras) and Deb Recker (bus driver). The consent agenda also approved volunteer coaches, open enrollments, fundraisers and several annual vendor agreements including eTrition ($2,478.26), Software Unlimited ($7,350.00), ChromeHero ($1,000.00) and Aristotle K12 ($8,729.98). The consent agenda motion, made by Doug Puffett and seconded by Tony Recker, carried 5‑0.

The board approved a World’s Finest Chocolate fundraiser order for $13,380.00, accepted a Starmont Education Association agreement presented by administration, and approved teacher and extra‑curricular contracts for 2025–26. It also accepted an amended 2025 graduating class, contingent on successful completion of graduation requirements, and accepted the canvas of election results (motion carried 4‑0 with Doug Puffett recorded as abstaining on the canvas acceptance).

The meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.; the board gave notice it would enter an exempt session under Iowa Code § 20.17(3) and § 21.9 to discuss bargaining and employment conditions.

What this means: The board approved the district’s near‑term spending plan, new instructional materials and several vendor and service contracts that will affect instruction, technology support and facilities maintenance heading into FY26. Two items recorded abstentions; otherwise decisions were unanimous.