2025-12 December 10, 2025 Minutes

East Buchanan Community School District - Annual, Organizational, and Regular Board Meeting Minutes – December 10, 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 Andrew Maas, Tim Recker, Andy Sperfslage, and Heather Steffens. Board member Scott Cooksley was absent.  Administrators attending were Superintendent Kory Kelchen, Secondary Principal Derick Ludwig, Elementary Principal Nathan Reck, and Board Secretary Teresa Knipper.  Several visitors attended the meeting. Motion carried with all ayes unless noted otherwise. 

Approve Agenda - Motion by Maas, second by Recker to approve the agenda as presented.

Approve Consent Agenda - Motion by Steffens, second by Recker to approve the consent agenda. Items included on the consent agenda: minutes from the regular meeting on November 12, 2025; resignation of Craig Hutton as head boys basketball coach; hiring of Lee White as head boys basketball coach; hiring of Ella Cook as cheer sponsor; expenditures listed; and financial reports.

Board Policy Review – Motion by Steffens, second by Maas to approve the second reading of board policy 503.9 as presented.

ESPSS Allocation – Tabled

FY25 Financial Reports – Motion by Steffens, second by Recker to approve the FY25 financial reports as presented.

Official Canvass of Election Results – Results of the election were presented as Tonishia Dockstader for At-Large and Troy Tempus as District 1.  Motion by Recker, second by Maas to accept the official canvass of election results.  The board thanked Scott Cooksley and Tim Recker for their dedication to the district as school board members.

Appointment of President Pro-tem - Motion by Maas, second by Recker to appoint the board secretary as President Pro-tem.

Adjourn - Motion by Recker, second by Maas to adjourn the meeting at 5:10 pm.

Call to Order - The organizational meeting was called to order at 5:11 pm by the board secretary.

Oath of office to elected board members - The board secretary administered the Oath of Office to newly elected board members Tonishia Dockstader and Troy Tempus.

Election of President - The board secretary took nominations for president.  Sperfslage and Steffens were nominated.  Ballots were counted and Sperfslage was declared the board president.  The oath of office was administered by the board secretary. 

Election of Vice-President - Sperfslage took nominations for vice-president.  Steffens and Maas were nominated.  Ballots were counted and Steffens was declared vice-president.  The oath of office was administered by the president.

Appoint Board Secretary - Motion by Maas, second by Tempus to appoint Teresa Knipper as board secretary.  The oath of office was administered by the president.

Appoint Board Treasurer - Motion by Steffens, second by Maas to appoint Lyle McIntosh as board treasurer.  The board secretary will administer the oath of office.

Appoint Legal Counsel - Motion by Dockstader, second by Steffens to appoint Ahlers & Cooney as legal counsel.

Approve Official Depositories - Motion by Steffens, second by Tempus to approve the superintendent, board president, and board secretary as authorized signers at the official depositories (maximum deposits) of: Citizens State Bank ($10 million), UMB ($2 million), and ISJIT ($10 million). 

Name Official Publication - Motion by Steffens, second by Maas to approve Independence Bulletin Journal as official publication for the district.

Establish dates and times of school board meetings - Motion by Tempus, second by Steffens to approve the second Wednesday of each month at 5:00 pm as the school board meeting date and time.

Committee Appointments – Sperfslage and Steffens were appointed to the employee handbook committee.  Tempus and Maas were appointed to the negotiations committee.  Dockstader was appointed to the Buchanan County Conference Board.

Administrative Updates and Reports – Reck reported that family/friends were invited to visit students in the afternoon of November 25^th to do activities, the elementary winter concert is December 15^th, the TAG plan was approved by the state, 4^th grade is ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, and the literacy pilot for 1^st semester is being evaluated by the team with a mid-year pilot starting soon.  Ludwig reported that an assembly for winter activities was organized by student council, the school building action plan was provided to the board, proposed attendance changes to the student handbook were explained, and an update on cell phone use be students was provided.  Kelchen reported that a work session with Denovo and the architect is scheduled for January 5^th at 5:00 pm and asked the board if they would be interested in a 4-day school calendar. 

Cooperative Sharing Agreement - Motion by Tempus, second by Maas to approve the cooperative sharing agreement with Independence CSD for boys soccer, girls soccer, boys bowling, girls bowling, and robotics as presented.

Board Policy Review – Motion by Maas, second by Steffens to approve the first reading of board policy 501.10 as discussed.

Van Purchase – Motion by Tempus, second by Dockstader to approve the purchase of a 12-passenger van up to $45,000.

SBRC Application – Motion by Maas, second by Dockstader to approve the SBRC application for modified supplement amount of $68,282 for open enrollment out.  Motion carried with all ayes.

MS/HS Student Handbook Changes – Motion by Maas, second by Steffens to approve the changes to the MS/HS student handbook as presented.  Aye: Maas, Sperfslage, Steffens, Tempus; Nay:  Dockstader.

Student Questions –  Students asked about coaches driving bus for activities, who is replacing Mike Kerkove, and about plans for the building project.

BucPr1de –  Thanks to Mike Kerkove for his nearly 30 years of service to the district.  Kevin Hesner has been painting in the weight room.

Adjourn- Motion by Steffens, second by Maas to adjourn the meeting at 6:25 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 and Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.