Starmont board adopts budget guarantee, approves curriculum and a string of facility and equipment contracts

The Starmont Community School District Board met Monday, Feb. 9, in the high school conference room and conducted routine business including the adoption of a budget guarantee resolution and approval of several procurement and personnel items.

Board President Doug Puffett called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. and confirmed all five board members were present: Jacob Moellers, Julie Uhlenkamp, Nathan Meyers, Doug Puffett and Tony Recker. Superintendent Robert Busch and building principals Heath Hesse and Jennifer Lange attended, along with Business Manager and Board Secretary Katie Taylor.

A motion by Trustee Julie Uhlenkamp to approve the meeting agenda while striking agenda item 14 (purchase of a replacement floor scrubber) passed 5-0. With that change the board approved the consent agenda — including minutes, financial reports, personnel recommendations and resignations — by a 5-0 vote. The consent items noted the resignation of Ashley Peterson from a secondary paraprofessional position and approved volunteer coach Mitch Rosburg.

In routine business the board approved the second reading of board policies in the 400 series and related policies (605.08, 605.08R1); approved the 2026–27 curriculum guide; and approved updates to the 2025–26 student handbook clarifying language about threats of violence. All three motions passed on 5-0 votes.

The board considered procurement and facility items. It took no action on a listed school bus bid. The board approved a $17,552.26 bid from EFM Construction LLC to remove and replace concrete at the football concession stand; the booster club received an Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation grant to cover part of that expense. Trustees also approved a Chromebook purchase from CDW for $17,010, authorized the booster club to apply for a Fields for Kids Grant, accepted a $7,800 bid from Hilliard to refinish three gym floors this summer, and approved a $26,000 mowing contract with Keppler Landscaping. All motions passed unanimously.

On fiscal matters the board adopted a budget guarantee resolution by motion of Tony Recker under section 257.14 of the Code of Iowa, allowing the district to levy property taxes for fiscal year 2026–27 as authorized by state statute; the roll call recorded ayes from Recker, Moellers, Meyers, Uhlenkamp and Puffett. Trustees also set the district’s public budget hearings for March 23 and April 13 to review the 2026–27 budget.

Superintendent Busch previewed the district’s 2025–26 budget outlook and asked the board for guidance on calendar options and how to make up snow days for 2026–27. He reported maintenance work had addressed water issues in the elementary kitchen, noted that radon testing has started to meet Iowa Chapter 280.32 School Radon Safety requirements, and said a new federal education tax credit beginning in 2027 will allow individuals to designate up to $1,700 a year to scholarship-granting organizations.

Votes at a glance

- Approve agenda (strike item 14): Passed 5-0 (motion by Julie Uhlenkamp; second Tony Recker). - Consent agenda (minutes, financials, personnel resignations including Ashley Peterson, volunteer coaches, open enrollments, contracts): Passed 5-0 (motion by Jacob Moellers; second Nathan Meyers). - Second reading of policies (400 Series, 605.08, 605.08R1): Passed 5-0 (motion by Julie Uhlenkamp; second Tony Recker). - Approve 2026–27 curriculum guide: Passed 5-0 (motion by Jacob Moellers; second Nathan Meyers). - Approve student handbook updates (threats of violence language): Passed 5-0 (motion by Julie Uhlenkamp; second Jacob Moellers). - School bus bid: No action taken (item remained unresolved; item 14 had been stricken from the agenda earlier). - Concession stand improvement (EFM Construction LLC), $17,552.26: Passed 5-0 (motion by Tony Recker; second Jacob Moellers). - Chromebook purchase (CDW), $17,010: Passed 5-0 (motion by Julie Uhlenkamp; second Nathan Meyers). - Booster club Fields for Kids Grant application: Approved 5-0 (motion by Tony Recker; second Julie Uhlenkamp). - Budget guarantee resolution (Code of Iowa §257.14): Adopted 5-0 (motion by Tony Recker; second Nathan Meyers; roll call recorded ayes from Recker, Moellers, Meyers, Uhlenkamp, Puffett). - Budget hearing dates (March 23 and April 13): Set 5-0 (motion by Julie Uhlenkamp; second Tony Recker). - Summer help pay rates (students $12/hr; staff at current rates): Approved 5-0 (motion by Jacob Moellers; second Nathan Meyers). - Refinish gym floors (Hilliard), $7,800: Approved 5-0 (motion by Nathan Meyers; second Jacob Moellers). - Mowing (Keppler Landscaping), $26,000: Approved 5-0 (motion by Julie Uhlenkamp; second Tony Recker). - Adjournment: Passed 5-0 (motion by Tony Recker; second Jacob Moellers).

What’s next

The board will hold public budget hearings March 23 and April 13 as scheduled; no final 2026–27 calendar was adopted at the meeting and the board requested further guidance on make-up snow-day procedures. Radon testing and a district needs assessment are underway per the superintendent’s report.