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Tri-Center Comm School District board approves FY26 budget amendment, facility contracts and multiple staff moves
Summary
At its May 13, 2026 regular meeting, the Tri-Center Comm School District board approved a FY26 budget amendment, several facility and services contracts (including flooring and HVAC work), awarded food-service bids, approved staffing changes and accepted resignations; the SUIC/Jester renewal was tabled.
The Tri-Center Comm School District Board of Education approved a FY26 budget amendment and a series of facility, procurement and personnel actions during its May 13, 2026 regular meeting in the secondary library.
Board President Mike Olsen called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and Board member Katie Ausdemore moved — with Jeremy VanArsdol seconding — to approve the agenda. The board voted 4-0 to adopt the amended agenda. A public hearing was held on the FY26 Budget Amendment at 6:00 p.m.; no members of the public spoke.
Business Manager and Board Secretary Jennifer Harder reviewed the FY26 Budget Amendment, and the board approved the amendment on a motion by Board member Katie Ausdemore, seconded by Board member Sara Arnold (vote 4-0). The approved amendment was the principal financial action of the evening.
Facilities and procurement decisions included several contract awards following bid reviews by Chief Engineer Dustan Huber. The board approved Commercial Flooring Systems’ bid for elementary restroom flooring for $26,300 (motion by Sara Arnold; second by Jeremy VanArsdol) and approved Trane’s bid for lower elementary HVAC units in the amount of $73,912 (motion by Katie Ausdemore; second by Sara Arnold). The board also approved Lupe’s Concrete bids for a high school section ($6,500) and a drive entrance ($8,820). Milk and bread service bids were awarded to A&E and Bimbo, respectively.
The board approved winter coaching contracts (girls and boys wrestling, girls and boys basketball) and annual extracurricular contracts for the athletic director, assistant ADs, weights and sponsors for the 2026–27 school year.
Interdistrict and service agreements approved for FY27 include operational sharing arrangements with Riverside (Curriculum Director) and Underwood (Operations Director), an Educational Service Agreement with Iowa Western Community College (IWCC), and a professional-development contract with Capturing Kid’s Hearts for $3,500.
On personnel matters the board accepted resignations from Zach Fisher (Vocal Music) and Chad Freeberg (Assistant football coach), effective at the end of the 2025–26 school year, and approved hiring Allison Story as librarian for 2026–27. The board also approved hiring Karen Hander as Food Service Director and several part-time coaches and sponsors: Steven Petersen (part-time assistant football coach), Calise Mackland (dance sponsor) and Caleb White (junior-high boys wrestling coach). All personnel motions passed unanimously, 4-0.
In Old Business, Principal Chad Harder presented the District Career and Academic Plan (DCAP), which the board approved on a motion by Katie Ausdemore and seconded by Sara Arnold (vote 4-0). The board voted 4-0 to table the SUIC/Jester renewal because required numbers were not available.
The board reviewed two long-term district goals — engaging instruction to prepare students for life and strengthening two-way community partnership — and set its next regular meeting for Tuesday, June 9 at 6:00 p.m. Board President Mike Olsen declared the meeting adjourned at 7:22 p.m.
Votes at a glance - Approve agenda (amended): mover Katie Ausdemore; second Jeremy VanArsdol; outcome: approved 4-0. - Approve consent agenda (bills, financials, minutes): mover Jeremy VanArsdol; second Sara Arnold; outcome: approved 4-0. - Approve DCAP: mover Katie Ausdemore; second Sara Arnold; outcome: approved 4-0. - Table SUIC/Jester renewal: mover Katie Ausdemore; second Jeremy VanArsdol; outcome: tabled 4-0. - Approve FY26 Budget Amendment: mover Katie Ausdemore; second Sara Arnold; outcome: approved 4-0. - Elementary restroom flooring (Commercial Flooring Systems): mover Sara Arnold; second Jeremy VanArsdol; amount: $26,300; outcome: approved 4-0. - Lower elementary HVAC (Trane): mover Katie Ausdemore; second Sara Arnold; amount: $73,912; outcome: approved 4-0. - Lupe’s Concrete (HS section $6,500; drive entrance $8,820): mover Katie Ausdemore; second Sara Arnold; outcome: approved 4-0. - Winter coaching and extracurricular contracts (2026–27): mover Katie Ausdemore; second Sara Arnold; outcome: approved 4-0. - Milk bid (A&E) and bread bid (Bimbo): mover Katie Ausdemore; second Sara Arnold; outcome: approved 4-0. - Operational sharing agreements (Riverside, Underwood): mover Sara Arnold; second Katie Ausdemore; outcome: approved 4-0. - Capturing Kid’s Hearts contract ($3,500): mover Sara Arnold; second Jeremy VanArsdol; outcome: approved 4-0. - Educational Service Agreement with IWCC: mover Sara Arnold; second Jeremy VanArsdol; outcome: approved 4-0. - Accept resignations (Zach Fisher; Chad Freeberg): mover Sara Arnold; second Katie Ausdemore; outcome: approved 4-0. - Approve hires (Allison Story, Karen Hander, Steven Petersen, Calise Mackland, Caleb White): mover Ausdemore/Arnold as noted; outcome: approved 4-0.
The board took no votes on public comment (none offered) and made no final determination on SUIC/Jester pending additional numbers.
