West Bend-Mallard Comm School District board approves personnel realignment, contracts and student activities

WEST BEND, Iowa — The West Bend-Mallard Comm School District Board of Directors approved a package of routine personnel, contracting and activity items at its March 24 regular meeting, including a principal realignment for the 2026–2027 school year and approval of certified contracts.

Board President John Zaugg called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. The board unanimously approved the meeting agenda after a motion by Chris Montag and a second from Dawn Schmidt.

Superintendent Paul Peppmeier reminded the board of the district’s Achievement Foundation Night scheduled for March 31 and asked members whether custodial staff could work four 10‑hour days during the summer. He also announced a pre‑bid meeting for facilities work on March 26 at 2:00 p.m. in the Administration Board Room; bids will be accepted on April 9 at 2:00 p.m. Peppmeier noted that some architect‑proposed costs do not include furniture and the district intends to use a Casino Grant to cover furniture purchases.

Principals Tiffany Morey and Tyson Wirtz gave education updates. Morey said ISASP testing is underway, Chromebooks are “working great” with only a few high‑school issues on the first day, and that elementary Grandparents Day will be held April 17 from 2:00–3:00 p.m. Wirtz echoed that testing is going well, said snow disrupted some parent‑teacher conferences but turnout overall was good, and listed upcoming activities including track, golf, the FFA banquet and a middle‑school play.

On fiscal matters staff reported coding discrepancies are being corrected and several general fund accounts are low but expected to be replenished when property‑tax revenues arrive. The board approved the financial reports on a motion by Nicole Myer and a second from Jillian Hansen.

Under new business, the board unanimously approved:

- An AEA purchasing agreement for the 2026–2027 school year (motion by Dawn Schmidt, second Jillian Hansen). - A second‑grade out‑of‑state field trip to the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota (motion carried; details presented by the administration). - A new lease agreement with the City of West Bend (motion by Dawn Schmidt, second Dave Bruellman). - A WBM principal realignment for 2026–2027 that assigns Tiffany Morey as PK–5 principal and curriculum director and Tyson Wirtz as 6–12 principal (motion by Jillian Hansen, second Lisa Traub).

The board accepted resignations from Dave Chaddock (bus driver), Kent Porter (assistant softball coach) and Julie Zaugg (para‑professional), and approved a contract for a new para‑professional, Jaxon Zaugg. Board members moved into and subsequently exited an exempt session; the minutes record no actions taken in open session tied to that exempt session.

Finally, the board approved certified contracts for the 2026–2027 school year. The meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m., and minutes were signed by President John Zaugg and Board Secretary Maria Steier.

Next steps and deadlines noted in the meeting record include the March 26 pre‑bid meeting at 2:00 p.m. and the April 9 bid opening at 2:00 p.m.; Achievement Foundation Night is March 31 and Elementary Grandparents Day is April 17.