Keota Comm School District board approves $75,569 at‑risk application and adopts 2026–27 calendar

Board President Billie Kindred called the Keota Comm School District board meeting to order and read the district mission statement.

The board unanimously approved the meeting agenda and several consent items. Andy Conrad moved to accept the agenda; Dan Redlinger seconded and the motion carried 5-0. Later, Conrad moved to approve the consent agenda, Pat Hammen seconded and that motion likewise carried 5-0.

On a key fiscal item, Dan Redlinger moved to approve the district’s At‑Risk/Drop‑out Prevention Modified Supplemental application, a budget request totaling $75,569. Andy Conrad seconded; the motion carried unanimously. The application amount was stated on the record by Redlinger as part of the motion; the board did not record individual roll‑call votes beyond the 5‑0 tally.

The board also adopted the 2026–27 school calendar as presented after a motion from Redlinger and a second from Hammen; the motion carried 5-0.

Superintendent (name not specified in the record) reported that the administration team will soon review district goals, staff modeling and programming. The superintendent said the district is compiling names of community members interested in serving on a facility development committee and noted recent facility improvements: solar panels and fencing have been installed and LED lighting is being put in at the high school this week.

High School Principal Rosewall reported that finals week “went well,” that staff will distribute a survey to identify needed adjustments, and that the alternative program and professional development efforts continue. Rosewall said meetings with AEA specialists in social studies and science are ongoing and confirmed homecoming is scheduled for Jan. 19–24.

The elementary principal/curriculum director (name not provided) reported phonics‑based Win groups for reading interventions have restarted, associates have new second‑semester assignments, and iReady diagnostics in math and reading are scheduled to begin next week. The principal said staff will work with an APAEA literacy consultant on the Science of Reading and announced a Keota Elementary non‑perishable pantry drive running through Feb. 12. Staff will also circulate sign‑up information for 3‑ and 4‑year‑old preschool for 2026–27 to estimate next year’s enrollments.

Activities Director Dan Stout provided event updates: EagleRock! starts its season at Cedar Rapids Xavier this Saturday; the annual EagleRock lasagna supper is Jan. 13; speech contest dates include district competition Jan. 24 at Wapello High School and state contest Feb. 7 in Cedar Rapids. Stout also summarized homecoming week activities (Jan. 19–23), the Jan. 23 homecoming game vs. HLV and the follow‑up dance, and noted junior high boys basketball opens Jan. 8.

Business Manager Amy Greiner said bank statements have been reconciled, January payroll is complete, and she is working on 1099s and Title claims; she plans to attend the ISFIS budget workshop and a mandatory Fairfield budget meeting. Custodian Brian Donaldson reported facility maintenance and upgrades, including the December 12 power shutdown for solar work, installation of new drinking fountains, a replaced kitchen exhaust fan, and filter changes in high‑school heating units.

The board announced its next regular meeting will be Feb. 12, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the elementary media library. Pat Hammen moved to adjourn; Andy Conrad seconded and the motion carried 5-0. The meeting ended at 6:53 p.m.

Votes at a glance: Agenda acceptance — motion carried 5-0 (mover: Andy Conrad; second: Dan Redlinger). Consent items approval — motion carried 5-0 (mover: Andy Conrad; second: Pat Hammen). At‑Risk/Drop‑out Prevention application ($75,569) — motion carried 5-0 (mover: Dan Redlinger; second: Andy Conrad). 2026–27 school calendar adoption — motion carried 5-0 (mover: Dan Redlinger; second: Pat Hammen). Adjournment — motion carried 5-0 (mover: Pat Hammen; second: Andy Conrad).