Starmont board approves budget requests, legal engagements and equipment purchases

The Starmont Community School District Board met Oct. 13 in the high school conference room and approved a string of business and budget items, including a request to the School Budget Review Committee for a special-education deficit and several contract and equipment approvals.

Why it matters: The board’s actions address near-term operational needs (snow removal, equipment purchases, technology upgrades) and budget pressures (special-education deficit), while approving legal and bond counsel that could affect district costs and liabilities going forward.

Key votes and actions included approval of the consent agenda (minutes, monthly financial reports, personnel hires, volunteer coaches, special education contracts, open enrollments and annual agreements); hiring Ahlers Cooney as bond and disclosure counsel; approving an engagement with Frantz Law Group to join multi-district litigation against PowerSchool; and authorizing purchases and bids, including a snow-removal contract, a lift (up to $5,500), a power washer for $9,357.97 (including a $1,000 trade-in), and technology purchases funded by a $46,585 Credentials to Careers grant.

Highlights from administration and staff reports noted completed FAST testing at the elementary level and work to target student supports, a successful homecoming and plans for a Work Based Learning/Internship Program at the secondary level, and activity updates including FFA participation and student achievements.

Votes at a glance: - Approve agenda: motion by Doug Puffett; seconded by Tony Recker; carried 5-0. - Approve consent agenda (minutes, bills, personnel, contracts): motion by Doug Puffett; seconded by Jacob Moellers; carried 5-0. - Cancel varsity girls basketball schedule and play junior varsity instead: motion by Tony Recker; seconded by Jacob Moellers; carried 5-0. - Approve SBRC request for negative special-education balance of $181,061.85 (or as adjusted by the Department of Management): motion by Doug Puffett; seconded by Vicki Althoff; roll call 5–0. - Approve one-year agreement with Northeast Iowa Community College for a College and Career Transition Counselor for $13,087 and allow additional operational sharing dollars (2 FTE): motion by Jacob Moellers; seconded by Tony Recker; carried 4-1 (Puffett opposed). - Approve Ahlers Cooney as bond and disclosure counsel: motion by Doug Puffett; seconded by Vicki Althoff; carried 5-0. - Approve engagement agreement with Frantz Law Group to join multi-district litigation against PowerSchool: motion by Doug Puffett; seconded by Vicki Althoff; carried 5-0. - Approve snow removal bid (Jacob Corbin): $250/truck/hour and $700/ton salt; motion by Jacob Moellers; seconded by Tony Recker; carried 5-0. - Approve purchase of lift up to $5,500: motion by Jacob Moellers; seconded by Tony Recker; carried 5-0. - Approve power washer from Midwest Alkota for $9,357.97 (including $1,000 trade-in): motion by Jacob Moellers; seconded by Doug Puffett; carried 5-0. - Approve Credentials to Careers grant-funded technology purchases totaling $46,585: motion by Doug Puffett; seconded by Jacob Moellers; carried 5-0. - Table 3-year agreement with E3: motion by Jacob Moellers; seconded by Doug Puffett; carried 5-0. - Bus-stop request considered and failed 2-3 (Moellers and Recker in favor; Uhlenkamp, Althoff and Puffett opposed).

The meeting concluded with Superintendent Robert Busch announcing three town hall meetings (Lamont, Strawberry Point and Arlington) and noting planned attendance at IASB and a workshop to update the district’s comprehensive financial projection model. The board adjourned at 8:17 PM.