Chariton school board unanimously approves budget guarantee, policies, travel and project closeouts; tables Yocum Park funding

The Chariton Community School Board voted unanimously on March 17 to approve the district's Budget Guarantee for fiscal 2025'26 and to complete a series of policy, personnel and contract actions, while tabling a request for Yocum Park funding.

Becky Shelton, a member of the Chariton Community School Board, moved to approve the Budget Guarantee for 2025'26; Sarah Willis seconded the motion and the board voted 5'0 to adopt it. The guarantee preserves current state funding calculations used in local budget-setting for the coming fiscal year.

The board also approved final readings of multiple policies (103-103R-1, 105-106, 303-307 and 401.14) after a motion by Jarid Howell, seconded by Dustin Shivvers. The board approved a second reading of the attendance sections in the high school, middle school and elementary student handbooks on a motion by Sarah Willis, seconded by Becky Shelton; both motions carried 5'0. These actions finalize rule language and handbook attendance guidance for the next school year.

District officials approved contractual and purchasing items including the AEA purchasing agreement for 2025'26 and the FY26 participation agreement with the Iowa Local Government Risk Pool Commission. The board approved an out-of-state travel request allowing the Chariton High School choir to travel to New York in April 2026; the motion was made by Dustin Shivvers and seconded by Becky Shelton and passed 5'0.

On facilities and construction matters, the board approved the Final Pay Application (Pay App 6) to Excel Mechanical for the high school HVAC controls replacement project and passed a Final Acceptance Resolution closing final project costs, both motions carried 5'0. Those votes complete the recorded contracting steps and authorize final payments and project closeout documentation.

The consent agenda, approved earlier in the meeting on a motion by Sarah Willis and seconded by Becky Shelton, recorded personnel changes including resignations from Jeanna Snook (volleyball coach) and Corie Peterson (junior class sponsor) and new hires and contract approvals such as Robin Ortiz (Food Service Director), Luke Lahart (Middle School PE/Health), Jenna Fassbinder (Middle School ELA), Brittany Clark (associate at Columbus for 2025'26) and volunteer boys soccer coach Tyler Gookin.

The board discussed a request for funding for the Yocum Park project but voted to table the funding request at this time; the motion to table was made by Jarid Howell and seconded by Dustin Shivvers and carried 5'0. No additional details or timeline for reconsideration were recorded in the minutes provided.

Superintendent Brad Baker delivered the superintendent's report and the board received finance, building-and-grounds and principal reports during the meeting. The session began at 6:00 p.m. and adjourned at 6:44 p.m.

Votes at a glance Budget Guarantee for 2025'26 — Moved by Becky Shelton; seconded by Sarah Willis; outcome: approved 5'0. Final reading: policies 103-103R-1, 105-106, 303-307, 401.14 — Moved by Jarid Howell; seconded by Dustin Shivvers; outcome: approved 5'0. Attendance sections (HS, MS, Elementary) second reading — Moved by Sarah Willis; seconded by Becky Shelton; outcome: approved 5'0. AEA Purchasing Agreement 2025'26 — Moved by Dustin Shivvers; seconded by Jarid Howell; outcome: approved 5'0. CHS Choir out-of-state travel (New York, April 2026) — Moved by Dustin Shivvers; seconded by Becky Shelton; outcome: approved 5'0. Final Pay App 6 to Excel Mechanical (HS HVAC Controls Replacement Project) — Moved by Jarid Howell; seconded by Dustin Shivvers; outcome: approved 5'0. Final Acceptance Resolution and closing final project costs (HS HVAC Controls Replacement Project) — Moved by Sarah Willis; seconded by Jarid Howell; outcome: approved 5'0. FY26 Iowa Local Government Risk Pool Commission Program Participation Agreement — Moved by Jarid Howell; seconded by Becky Shelton; outcome: approved 5'0. Yocum Park funding request — Moved by Jarid Howell to table; seconded by Dustin Shivvers; outcome: tabled 5'0. Consent agenda (minutes, resignations, hires, treasurer's report, bills) — Moved by Sarah Willis; seconded by Becky Shelton; outcome: approved 5'0.

The record shows the board held a public hearing on the Middle School NW Corner Settlement Correction Project; the minutes provided do not include testimony, recommendations or a decision arising from that hearing. The board is expected to reconvene on routine business according to its typical schedule; no future meeting date was recorded in the excerpt provided.