East Buchanan Community School District
Regular Board Meeting Minutes – March 12, 2025
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 Scott Cooksley, Andrew Maas, Andy Sperfslage, and Heather Steffens. Board member Tim Recker attended remotely. Administrators attending were Superintendent Kory Kelchen, Principal Eric Dockstader, Dean of Students Nathan Reck, and Board Secretary Teresa Knipper. Several visitors attended the meeting. Motion carried with all ayes unless noted otherwise.
Approve Agenda- Motion by Cooksley, second by Steffens to approve the agenda with addition of EB Archery for community presentation.
Approve Consent Agenda- Motion by Steffens, second by Cooksley to approve the consent agenda. Items included on the consent agenda: minutes from the regular meeting on February 13, 2025; hiring of Derick Ludwig as MS/HS Principal effective 7/1/2025; Ben Conard as volunteer for HS basketball; resignation of Lee White as HS Asst Basketball coach; expenditures listed; and financial reports.
Community/Program Presentations – Al Snyder thanked the board and Chad Lamker for use of the school for EB Archery.
Administrative Updates and Reports- Reck reported that the elementary is preparing for ISASP testing the week of March 24th and that teachers prepared the students for the student-led conferences being held this week. Dockstader thanked the PTO for providing the conference meal on Tuesday and that the students appreciate the main alternate that is offered for lunch. Kelchen reported that the district has been approved for the Iowa Star group for employee medical insurance, that we are still waiting to hear legislative action on SSA, and that a work session is being planned with Denovo Construction.
District Career and Academic Plan (DCAP) – Dockstader presented the DCAP and explained its purpose to the board. Motion by Maas, second by Steffens to approve the DCAP as presented.
Budget/Property Tax Notice – Kelchen explained the Proposed Property Tax Levy notice that is being distributed and published.
Budget Guarantee Resolution – Motion by Steffens, second by Recker to approve the budget guarantee resolution as follows: RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of East Buchanan CSD, will levy property taxes for fiscal year 2025-2026 for the regular program budget adjustment as allowed under section 257.14, Code of Iowa.
Open Enrollment Applications – Motion by Cooksley, second by Maas to approve the open enrollment applications as presented.
Student Questions – Students asked the board about the use of ChatGPT, the current calendar versus the old calendar, cell phone policy plans, high school course offerings geared towards careers, and for any suggestions for Leader in Me.
BucPr1de - Thank you to Lee White for coaching throughout the years and shout out to Lamker and custodial staff for help with all the winter activities.
Closed Session #1 – Motion by Maas, second by Steffens to enter closed session per Iowa Code 21.5(1)(a) to review or discuss records which are required or authorized by state and federal law to be kept confidential or to be kept confidential as a condition for the board’s possession or receipt of federal funds. Roll call vote: Maas-aye, Steffens-aye, Recker-aye, Cooksley-nay, Sperfslage-aye. Closed session began at 5:28 pm. Closed session ended at 5:42 pm.
Closed Session #2 - Motion by Maas, second by Recker to enter closed session per Iowa Code 21.5(1)(a) to review or discuss records which are required or authorized by state and federal law to be kept confidential or to be kept confidential as a condition for the board’s possession or receipt of federal funds. Roll call vote: Maas-aye, Steffens-aye, Recker-aye, Cooksley-nay, Sperfslage-aye. Closed session began at 5:43 pm. Closed session ended at 6:10 pm.
Closed Session Action – Steffens abstained from action on this item. Motion by Cooksley, second by Maas to approve the request for Whitney Brady, Jack Gericke, and Brody McGrath to open enroll out for the remainder of this school year. Motion carried.
Closed Session Action - Motion by Recker to waive the 90-day eligibility period for Whitney Brady, Jack Gericke, and Brody McGrath. There was no further action.
Adjourn- Motion by Cooksley, second by Maas to adjourn the meeting at 6:13 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 8:00am and 4:00pm.