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Starmont board issues notice for administrator and approves two teacher terminations amid budget, enrollment concerns
Summary
The Starmont Community School District board voted May 11 to issue a notice of consideration of termination to administrator Heath Hesse and to terminate the teaching contracts of Allie Koch and Roger Reed, citing declining enrollment, budgetary restrictions and staff realignment. All motions passed by roll call.
The Starmont Community School District Board on May 11 voted to begin formal termination proceedings for an administrator and to terminate two teachers’ contracts as part of personnel realignment tied to declining enrollment and budget constraints.
Jacob Moellers, board member, moved to issue a notice of consideration of termination to administrator Heath Hesse for reasons the motion listed as declining enrollment, budgetary restrictions, reduction of positions and realignment of school organizations. Julie Uhlenkamp seconded the motion; the board approved it on a roll‑call vote of 5‑0 (Moellers, Puffett, Uhlenkamp, Recker and Meyers voting aye). The motion does not itself terminate the contract but authorizes the district to proceed with the consideration process outlined by policy.
The board also approved two separate motions under Iowa Code Section 279.15 to terminate teaching contracts. Julie Uhlenkamp moved to terminate the contract of teacher Allie Koch, citing budgetary considerations, declining enrollment, realignment of staff resources and compliance with the district’s staff reduction procedures; Nathan Meyers seconded. The roll‑call vote was 5‑0 in favor. Nathan Meyers moved to terminate the contract of teacher Roger Reed for the same reasons; Tony Recker seconded and the motion carried 5‑0.
The motions recorded the statutory basis used by the board (Iowa Code Section 279.15 for the teacher terminations). No transcripted remarks explaining alternative staffing options, severance terms or specific reassignment offers appear in the meeting record. The minutes do not indicate statements from the affected employees during the meeting.
The board also approved a modification of the administrative contract for Secondary Principal Jennifer Lange in a separate, unanimous vote. That motion was presented and approved immediately after the notice to Hesse was authorized.
Next steps: issuing a notice of consideration begins the formal process for an administrator; the teacher terminations were approved by the board vote recorded at the meeting. The minutes do not specify appeal timelines, severance details or subsequent personnel actions.
