2026-05 May 13, 2026

East Buchanan Community School District - Regular Board Meeting Minutes – May 13, 2026

Call to Order- President Andy Sperfslage called the meeting to order at 5:00 pm.  The board recited the East Buchanan Mission Statement.  Board members present were Tonishia Dockstader, Andrew Maas, Andy Sperfslage, Heather Steffens, and Troy Tempus.  Administrative staff attending were Superintendent Kory Kelchen, HS/MS Principal Derick Ludwig, Elementary Principal Nathan Reck, and Business Manager/Board Secretary Teresa Knipper.  Several visitors attended the meeting. Motion carried with all ayes unless noted otherwise. 

FY26 Budget Amendment Public Hearing - Motion by Maas, second by Steffens to open the public hearing on the FY26 Budget Amendment at 5:00 pm.  There were no comments from the public.  Motion by Steffens, second by Maas to close the public hearing at 5:03 pm.

Approve Agenda - Motion by Dockstader, second by Maas to approve the agenda as presented, with the removal of item H.

Approve Consent Agenda - Motion by Steffens, second by Tempus to approve the consent agenda. Items approved under the consent agenda: regular board meeting minutes from April 8, 2026; special board meeting minutes from April 28, 2026; resignations of Kevin Hesner (Technology Director), Katelin Dennie (Paraeducator), Sarah Horn (Paraeducator), and Nellie Berns (Kitchen Assistant); hiring of Brent Reck (Assistant HS Girls Basketball Coach) and Jodi Ehlers (Business Teacher); expenditures listed; and financial reports.

Community Presentations – School Nurse Trace Klendworth and teacher Alecia Schoonover presented an overview of the newly organized staff Emergency Response Team, designed to provide immediate medical assistance to students, staff, and visitors. They shared a video documenting the district’s third drill conducted to earn the Project ADAM “Heart Safe School” designation.  Funds for the Future secretary Christine Dale reported that $82,530 in scholarships was distributed to 20 graduating EB seniors this year.

Administrative Updates and Reports –  Reck presented recent FAST literacy data and noted that staff have selected a new literacy curriculum. He highlighted recent student activities, including the K-12 Community Service Day, ISASP testing incentives (K-2 movie day and grades 3-6 bowling), and the 6th-grade trip to Camp Wapsie. Summer school is scheduled for August with a targeted focus on reading and mathematics.  Ludwig expressed appreciation to the PTO for organizing Teacher Appreciation Month events. He noted that the final day for seniors was May 13th, and the district-wide Friends and Family Day is scheduled for May 18th. Staff are currently finalizing the 2026-2027 academic schedule.  Kelchen provided an update on legislative property tax relief measures and their direct impact on Statewide Penny for Infrastructure (SAVE) funding, noting the subsequent implications for the upcoming middle school facility project.

FY26 Budget Amendment - Motion by Maas, second by Tempus to approve the FY26 budget amendment as presented.

Iowa Star Schools 28E Trust – Motion by Dockstader, second by Steffens to approve the amended 28E agreement, effective June 1, 2026, subject to any additional edits required by the Iowa Insurance Division in connection with the Trust’s certificate of registration application. 

2026 Graduates – Motion by Maas, second by Tempus to approve the list of 2026 graduates as presented.

Education Support Personnel Salary Supplement (ESPSS) Payout  – Motion by Tempus, second by Dockstader to approve the ESPSS payout as presented.

26-27 School Business Official (SBO) Sharing Agreement – Motion by Steffens, second by Maas to approve the 26-27 SBO sharing agreement with Central City as presented.

Board Policy Review – Motion by Dockstader, second by Steffens to approve the first reading of policy 801.5 Facility Naming Rights as presented.

26-27 Junior Achievement (JA) Agreement – Motion by Steffens, second by Tempus to approve the 26-27 JA agreement as presented.

BucPr1de – Grounds staff are doing a great job, thank you to board members for their service, thank you to Schoonover and Klendworth for organizing the ERT, and boys golf is advancing to districts.

Adjourn- Motion by Steffens, second by Maas to adjourn the meeting at 6:10 pm.

The above are not official minutes until approved at the next regular board meeting.  A copy of the official minutes may be viewed in the office of the Board Secretary any Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.