Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Decisions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pocahontas Area Comm School District board approves technology purchases, course guide and tentative teacher agreement; two board members resign
Summary
At its April 13 meeting the Pocahontas Area Comm School District board approved purchases of 175 Chromebooks and HVAC work for music spaces, adopted a new high/middle school course guide, ratified a tentative agreement with teachers, accepted multiple personnel moves and accepted two board resignations.
The Pocahontas Area Comm School District board on April 13 approved several administrative and operational measures, including a technology purchase, facility bid and a tentative agreement with the district teachers’ association, and accepted immediate resignations from two board members.
The board voted to purchase 175 Acer Chromebook Spin 511 devices from CDW‑G with Google Chrome EDU licensing as part of the district’s four‑year rotation plan. Presenting the memorandum, Mr. Trimble said the devices will add or replace machines in first, fifth and ninth grades and that the purchase comes from management funds. The board approved the recommended quote for a total of $84,875 (motion by Sarah; second by Dustin).
The board also approved a $52,807 bid from 365 Mechanical to add air conditioning in the band and music classrooms and related offices after administration recommended the lower bid and an electrician’s endorsement. The motion was amended on the floor to specify the 365 Mechanical bid and then carried.
Administrators presented and the board adopted the 2026–27 high school/middle school course guide, which includes new Pack Pathways that map career and technical sequences, information about concurrent‑enrollment options and an in‑house public speaking college course. Board members praised the visual layout and pathway planning sheets as a tool for students and families.
Negotiators reported the tentative agreement with the Pocahontas Area Education Association (PAEA) for 2026–27 negotiated modest increases and scheduling changes. The TA advanced longevity adjustments that favor longer‑tenured employees, added a Schedule C advancement for coaches with more than nine years, included an elementary chaperone Schedule C for required events, allowed some snow days to be virtual professional development days, and increased the personal‑day buyback rate from $100 to $125. The board approved the TA by voice vote.
Personnel business included accepting resignations from Dennis Currell (CTE industrial‑arts instructor) and Pat Powers (retiring effective June 30, 2026) and approving two hires: Walter Blaha as a custodian and Angela Whitrock as a middle/high special‑education teacher. The board also approved early‑graduation requests for three students (conditioned on completion of requirements) and one open‑enrollment in request for 2026–27.
Board members thanked the PAC Foundation for a $12,000 gift earmarked for school safety and heard a report that the district’s insurance committee negotiated a better rate with the incumbent provider.
Two board members announced immediate resignations during the meeting. Dustin Thompson said he was resigning for family and mental‑health reasons; the board moved to accept his resignation with thanks. The board also accepted the resignation of Mr. Christiansen effective immediately and discussed the public appointment process and interim committee coverage until the board posts and fills those seats.
What’s next: the facilities task force will meet again April 28 and a public community meeting is expected afterward; the board scheduled its next regular meeting for May 11.
Votes at a glance - Agenda amended to add the hire of Angela Whitrock — approved (voice vote). - Consent agenda (minutes, invoices, financial report) — approved (voice vote). - Purchase 175 Acer Chromebooks (CDW‑G) for $84,875 — approved (voice vote). - Adopt 2026–27 high school/middle course guide — approved (voice vote). - Approve 365 Mechanical bid for AC in music spaces — approved (voice vote; amendment specifying 365 Mechanical, $52,807). - Approve tentative agreement with PAEA for 2026–27 — approved (voice vote). - Accept resignations of Dennis Currell and Pat Powers — approved (voice vote). - Approve hires (Walter Blaha, Angela Whitrock) — approved (voice vote). - Approve early graduations (three students) — approved (voice vote). - Approve one open‑enrollment in (student AW) — approved (voice vote). - Accept board resignations of Dustin Thompson and Mr. Christiansen — approved (voice vote).
Sources: meeting transcript and on‑record motions and votes at the Pocahontas Area Comm School District board meeting, April 13, 2026.
