Keota Comm School District board approves handbook changes, tech services, playground fencing and $10,000 pledge for softball grant

The Keota Comm School District Board of Education on Aug. 8 approved a package of routine and programmatic items — including policy updates, student travel, personnel-related handbook language, a technology-services agreement and funding for softball field repairs — while receiving administrative updates on Title IX, testing celebrations and upcoming staff training.

The board, chaired by President Billie Kindred, opened the meeting with roll call and approved the agenda as amended on a 5-0 vote after a motion by Pat Hammen that was seconded by Andy Conrad. The board then approved consent items including previous meeting minutes, the district financial report presented by Business Manager Amy Greiner, the list of bills presented by Board Secretary Gina Bennett, a resignation (Austin Waterhouse, JH baseball coach) and a new hire (Jon Overturf, JH volleyball). Jim Tinnes moved to accept the consent items and Dan Redlinger seconded; the motion carried 5-0.

On policy matters the board approved the second reading of Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) legislative policy updates and waived a third reading after a motion by Pat Hammen and a second from Andy Conrad; the motion passed 5-0.

The board approved a student travel request from the EagleRock! program to travel to Moline and St. Louis March 5–8 after EagleRock! director Jane Edwards outlined the trip; Dan Redlinger moved to approve and Jim Tinnes seconded. The board also approved new lactation guidelines to be added to the staff handbook (motion by Andy Conrad, second by Dan Redlinger) and approved the Elementary Student/Parent Handbook as presented (motion by Jim Tinnes, second by Pat Hammen). All motions passed unanimously.

On facilities and services, the board approved an agreement with Grant Wood to provide technology services to the district (moved by Pat Hammen, seconded by Dan Redlinger) and accepted Harbison Fencing's estimate to install fencing around the new playground area (moved by Dan Redlinger, seconded by Pat Hammen). Both motions carried 5-0.

The board also voted to support an Athletic Boosters project: the Boosters revised a WCRF grant application seeking funds for infield and dugout repairs at the softball field and requested a district pledge of $10,000 toward the project. Dan Redlinger moved to approve the $10,000 pledge and a resolution authorizing the Boosters to apply for the WCRF grant; Pat Hammen seconded and the motion carried 5-0.

Superintendent Lisa Brenneman gave an administrative update that included a brief report on a Title IX injunction affecting the district and said she will send families a letter outlining new remediation requirements for students not proficient in English or math. Brenneman thanked community members Brian and Crystial Wright for their work on the playground project and noted the school marketing video is now playing at the State Theater. She said staff will attend "I Love You Guys" crisis response training on Aug. 13, the district will hold a staff breakfast Aug. 20, and an ISASP celebration for grades 7–12 is scheduled for Aug. 30. Brenneman also described steps to establish a comprehensive high school guidance program and said absenteeism rules will be enforced more strictly this year.

Elementary Principal Seth Milledge reported that sod has been installed at the playground and fencing will be reinstalled next week; he said room renovations are nearly complete, online registration has opened successfully, and the district is working with Grant Wood tech support and Neapolitan Labs on device setup and a new website launch. Business Manager Amy Greiner said July bank statements were reconciled, August payroll was run, AP invoices are prepared, and staff have begun gathering audit materials for the FY24 audit and the Certified Annual Report.

The board set its next regular meeting for Sept. 12, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the elementary media library and adjourned at 6:40 p.m.

Votes at a glance: all recorded motions shown in the meeting minutes were approved unanimously (5-0). Notable motions and movers: • Agenda acceptance — moved by Pat Hammen; seconded by Andy Conrad; outcome: carried 5-0. • Consent items (minutes, financial report, bills, resignation/hire) — moved by Jim Tinnes; seconded by Dan Redlinger; outcome: carried 5-0. • IASB legislative policy second reading (and waive third reading) — moved by Pat Hammen; seconded by Andy Conrad; outcome: carried 5-0. • EagleRock! student trip (March 5–8) — moved by Dan Redlinger; seconded by Jim Tinnes; outcome: carried 5-0. • Lactation guidelines (staff handbook) — moved by Andy Conrad; seconded by Dan Redlinger; outcome: carried 5-0. • Elementary Student/Parent Handbook — moved by Jim Tinnes; seconded by Pat Hammen; outcome: carried 5-0. • Technology services agreement (Grant Wood) — moved by Pat Hammen; seconded by Dan Redlinger; outcome: carried 5-0. • Harbison Fencing estimate (playground) — moved by Dan Redlinger; seconded by Pat Hammen; outcome: carried 5-0. • $10,000 pledge to Athletic Boosters and WCRF grant resolution — moved by Dan Redlinger; seconded by Pat Hammen; outcome: carried 5-0.

The meeting minutes do not record dissenting votes or abstentions. Where the minutes list a date, dollar amount, or specific program, the article uses the exact figure or date provided in the minutes.