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Board approves 2026–27 calendar, budget guarantee and federal fund tracking; several routine contracts and personnel actions pass
Summary
The Pocahontas Area Comm School District board adopted the 2026–27 school calendar, approved the FY 2026–27 budget guarantee, adopted federal funding allocation procedures to track staff time, and passed motions on a clinical-placement contract, fundraisers, hires and open-enrollment paperwork; the board also amended open-enrollment approvals to exclude district-provided transportation.
The Pocahontas Area Community School District board approved a slate of fiscal and procedural measures and several routine agreements at its meeting.
Among the actions, the board adopted the 2026–27 school calendar (motion by Dustin, seconded by Dena). The calendar committee — which included teachers and administrators — built in two full weeks for winter break, a fall three-day weekend, a spring break around Easter, 172 student contact days, seven professional-development days and one flex workday so the district remains within its contractual 181 staff days and meets Carnegie-unit hour requirements.
The board also approved the district’s budget guarantee for fiscal year 2026–27 (motion by Dena, seconded by Sheree); administration noted the certification is a routine step for budget purposes and does not automatically raise taxes.
To improve compliance with federal grants, the board adopted new federal funding allocation procedures requiring monthly personal-activity reporting for paras, Title staff and other grant-funded employees so salary and benefit charges can be tracked more precisely (motion by Chris, seconded by Dustin).
Other votes and approvals included:
- Appointment of Tony as the board’s chief negotiator for upcoming labor negotiations (policy 219). - Approval of a teacher-clinical-placement agreement with Morningside University for next school year. - Approval of two school fundraisers (girls golf and HOSA) and four new hires plus one resignation (one board member abstained on the hires due to a volunteer coaching role). - Approval of an early-graduation request after administration confirmed the student met graduation requirements. - Approval of administrative open-enrollment roll-outs for 2526 (clerical) and timely open-enrollment requests for 2627, with an amendment explicitly noting the district will not provide transportation assistance for those open-enrollment students.
Votes were recorded as voice votes for items presented; motions were carried by majority voice vote.
Votes at a glance:
- 2026–27 school calendar: approved (motion by Dustin; seconded by Dena). - Budget guarantee (FY 2026–27): approved (motion by Dena; seconded by Sheree). - Federal funding allocation procedures: approved (motion by Chris; seconded by Dustin). - Tony named chief negotiator (policy 219): approved. - Morningside University placement agreement: approved. - Fundraisers (girls golf, HOSA): approved. - Personnel hires/resignation: approved (one abstention recorded). - Early graduation (student MH): approved. - Open-enrollment roll-outs (2526 and 2627) approved; amendment passed to decline district-provided transportation.
Ending: Board members closed with takeaways including appreciation for committee work on the calendar and progress on district budgeting and auditing procedures; meeting adjourned by motion.
