CENTRAL SPRINGS SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING MINUTES - November 18, 2024
The Regular Board meeting for the Central Springs Community School Board was held in the Middle School Library in Nora Springs
on November 18, 2024. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by President Jean Schilling. Other Board members present
were Josh Berman, Joe Rowe, Sean Arthur and Ashley Kohler who joined remotely. Also present were Superintendent Darwin
Lehmann, Board Secretary Jackie Dalluge, Communication/HR Director Anna Blair, Athletic Director Brian Fessler, Rob Hoffman,
Ken Estes, Barb Shafer, Bill Shafer, Deb Hamand, Colin Claytor, Tina Hoeft and Matt Hoeft. Katie Kruger joined via Google Meet.
Motion was made by Rowe and seconded by Berman to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
There were no public comments.
Administrative reports were heard from Board President Schillings who shared that we had a good response from the survey that
was sent out regarding the superintendent search. She also shared that we had a great turn out at both campuses for the Senior
Dinner that was held on Nov. 15. Ken Estes shared about the current partnership with NIACC and helping students decide their next
steps after high school, he also shared about the E-Sports team making it to the state competition in Marshalltown. Rob Hoffman
shared that we had a 75% rate at the 6-8 grade fall parent/teacher conferences. Hoffman also shared that there were 25 community
guests at the K-5 Veterans Day Program and the students sang songs honoring veterans. Hoffman shared as well that per the Iowa’s
School Performance Profile and the Middle School is Commendable and was .12 points away from being classified as High
Performing. Superintendent Lehmann thanked the WCDA for the $200,000 grant to update our transportation fleet. He also reviewed
and talked about Certified Enrollment and the districts open enrolled in and out numbers and how over the past couple of years we
have started to close the gap in those numbers. Lehmann then instructed Hoffman to give the board a tour of areas within the Nora
Springs campus that would be beneficial to address with the VPPEL.
For Consent Agenda motion was made by Kohler, seconded by Arthur to approve the minutes from the October 21, 2024 regular
board meeting and to approve the minutes from the October 30, 2024 special board meeting. To approve the contracts for Brooke
Stiles, MS Boys Track Coach; Justin Heimer, MS Wrestling Coach; Natalie Leewright, Spec Ed Van Driver; Teacher Leadership
Compensation; Adam Wymore, MS Boys BB (2nd Contract); Kaylee Parks, MS Girls BB (2nd Contract), contract adjustment for
Jackie Dalluge, Administrative Assistant and the employee resignations from Jay Jolly, Custodian (May 30, 2025); Gibson Metellus,
Assistant Football Coach & Middle School Wrestling Coach; Joyce Hornyak, Bus Driver; Colin Claytor, Vocal Music Teacher; Nicci
McDonough, Head High School Volleyball Coach, Maggie Pruin, Assistant High School Volleyball Coach. Motion carried
unanimously.
In Old Business, the board reviewed and discussed the timeline of events for the VPPEL and how they would like to be processed.
The board also talked about the area’s that would be focused on at both campuses and what improvements could be made with the
voted PPEL. They also discussed the different forms of communication that they would like to use such as videos, social media,
information packets, and tours/open house of both campuses.
In New Business a motion was made by Berman and seconded by Rowe to approve the review of Board Policies Standard Policy
Review: 507.6, 507.7, 507.8, 507.8R1, 507.9, 507.9R1, 508.1, 508.2 Updates to Attendance Policy, Policy 501.9, and Policy 501.9R.
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion was made by Berman and seconded by Rowe to approve the Shared Industrial Technology teacher with Osage. Motion
carried unanimously.
Discussion was held regarding what high school athletic competitions would be able to be held at the Nora Springs campus. Mr.
Fessler reached out to the coaches of all high school sports and got their input on what would be needed to have their sporting event
at the Nora Springs campus. It was decided that the only sporting event that would be practical to have at the Nora Spring campus
would be basketball due to the amount of home games that are held within a season, it was also decided that this would not take
place in the 2024-2025 school year due to the basketball season currently being underway. The board expressed their thanks to Mr.
Fessler for his time and efforts into this request and all the information that he was able to provide.
Discussion was held regarding the youth sports teams and the community utilizing the school facilities. Mr. Fessler explained that
with Bound he is able to upload schedules of events that are being held within the school facilities which in turn will make it easier for
youth sports teams and community members wanting to use the facilities. Within Bound you will be able to see what is going on at
the school and be able to see what dates the facilities are available, you will also be able to request to check out facilities within
Bound, this will help streamline the process of checking out the facilities and also help with making sure the facilities are unlocked
and available. The board believes that this will be very beneficial for both parties, they thanked Mr. Fessler for his time that he has
and will be continuing to put into the implementation of Bound for the school district.
After having the work session with Grundmeyer Leader Services the board has decided to move forward with the search for a
full-time superintendent, a motion was made by Kohler and seconded by Berman to approve this request. Motion carried
unanimously.
Motion was made by Arthur and seconded by Kohler to approve the purchase of two transit vans not to exceed the amount of
$60,000 per vehicle. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion was made by Arthur and seconded by Berman to approve the purchase of a suburban not to exceed the amount of $60,000.
Motion carried unanimously.
Financial statements were presented. Motion was made by Berman and seconded by Arthur. Motion carried unanimously.
Board bills were presented in the amount of: General - $226,535.52, SAVE - $61,932.47, PPEL - $2,982.41 Activity - $12,457.23,
Nutrition - $46,448.87. Motion was made by Arthur and seconded by Rowe. Motion carried unanimously.
Suggestions for the December 16, 2024 board meeting include the continued discussion of VPPEL.
Under Iowa Code 20.17(3) the board went into an exempt session at 7:42 p.m. to discuss negotiations.
Motion was made by Kohler and seconded by Berman to adjourn the Board Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. President Schilling
adjourned the meeting at 8:34 p.m.
Our next board meeting will be held on December 16, 2024 in the High School Library in Manly beginning at 6:00 p.m.
_________________________________ ______________________________
Jean Schilling, Board President Jackie Dalluge, Board Secretary
