Chariton Community School Board approves buses, roofing, salary lane changes and construction payments

The Chariton Community School District board on Sept. 9 approved a string of operational and facilities actions, including teacher salary lane changes contingent on submitted transcripts, the purchase of five school buses, approval of a roofing contract at Van Allen Elementary and multiple construction payments and professional-services amendments.

Board President Dustin Shivvers presided over the meeting, which began at 6:00 P.M. and included Superintendent Brad Baker and Business Manager Chloe Trenary. A visitor spoke during the public-comment portion; the speaker was not named in the transcript.

The board voted 5-0 to approve the teacher salary schedule lane changes for staff members including Kylie Bengtson, Stephanie Book, Melissa Caudill, Caroline Hunkele, Jayne Miller, Mandy Neer, Hannah Smith, Susie Spencer, Stephani Wiese and Ellen Wright, provided each submits official transcripts verifying completed coursework by the district’s established timeline, a motion made by Sarah Willis and seconded by Jarid Howell.

The board also approved the first reading of board policies 401–401.13 following review by the Iowa Association of School Boards and the district policy committee; that motion was made by Becky Shelton and seconded by Ryan Dachenbach, passing 5-0.

On facilities and transportation, the board approved purchasing five buses from School Bus Sales with a tentative delivery date of March 2025. Becky Shelton moved the purchase, Ryan Dachenbach seconded, and the motion carried 5-0; meeting minutes note this was the only bid received citing timely availability.

The board approved a roofing proposal from Wood Roofing and Sheet Metal for Van Allen Elementary for $37,125 (motion by Jarid Howell, second by Becky Shelton; vote 5-0).

Several construction and design expenses for ongoing projects were approved: an invoice to Joiner Construction for $5,775 for Middle School work and a $28,245 proposal from Joiner Construction for Frost Stoop installation were both approved by 5-0 votes. The board recorded a motion by Ryan Dachenbach to approve an additional engineering fee of $2,775 to 10Fold Architecture & Engineering for new Frost Stoop design work; the transcript records the motion but does not show who seconded or the vote outcome. Separately, Jarid Howell moved to approve an amendment to the professional services agreement with 10Fold Architecture & Engineering for $104,250; the transcript records the motion but does not indicate a second or the final vote.

The board approved a resolution authorizing transfer of general funds to student-activity funds for protective equipment pursuant to HF 564 (Flexible Spending); Sarah Willis moved the resolution, Jarid Howell seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

Superintendent Brad Baker gave a report to the board and committee reports were received from Finance, Policy, and Building & Grounds. Principal reports were submitted by Mr. Schwarte and Mr. Morgan; the transcript records receipt of those reports but does not include their substantive details.

The meeting adjourned at 7:24 P.M. after a final 5-0 procedural vote to close the session.

Votes at a glance: all motions that record a tally in the minutes passed unanimously (5-0). Motions with missing second or vote notation in the transcript: the $2,775 additional engineering fee to 10Fold (motion recorded by Ryan Dachenbach) and the $104,250 amendment to the 10Fold professional services agreement (motion recorded by Jarid Howell); the minutes do not record seconds or vote tallies for those two motions.

The board signed minutes that list Dustin Shivvers as Board President and Chloe Trenary as Board Secretary.