May 20, 2026 6:00 pm Closed Session. Open Session Immediately following. - Regular Meeting

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. ROLL CALL

3. MOTION TO COME OUT OF CLOSED SESSION-action item

4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA - action item

6. PUBLIC COMMENTS

6.A. We want to welcome everyone here this evening and will open the meeting with Public Comment.  This is the time in which we invite the public to address the board and provide us with input on any issues, commendations or concerns that you may have.  The board’s function during this portion of the meeting is to listen and gather information from the community to help guide our decision-making processes.  We do not answer questions or engage in dialogue.  In the interest of giving everyone equal time, we ask that you limit your comments to THREE minutes.  As a reminder, we do not tolerate personal attacks or inappropriate language. Anyone wishing to make a public comment, rise, state your name, be recognized  and the floor shall be yours. 

7. RECOGNITIONS / PRESENTATIONS

7.A. Deb Gunnarsson

7.B. Brady Knop

8. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS / DEPARTMENT HEADS

9. SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT

10. CONSENT AGENDA-action item

10.A. Minutes of April 15, 2026, Regular meeting open & closed session; May 8, 2026, Special meeting; May 14, 2026, Finance meeting. 

10.B. Financial Reports; Payment of Bills; Activity Accounts; FRIS Report

10.C. Hires

10.C.1) Summer Stipend Positions 

10.C.1)a) Sara DeSpain—HS Summer School Paraprofessional—effective June 8-24, 2026, 3 hrs/day

10.C.1)b) Jen Engelkens-Summer School Cook—effective June 8–25, 2026, 3 hrs/day

10.C.1)c) Angela Neis—Summer School Cook—effective June 8–25, 2026, 3hrs/day

10.C.1)d) Kendra Sipe—Summer School Paraprofessional—effective June 8–25, 2026, 3 hrs/day

10.C.1)e) Danielle Wilcox-Summer School Paraprofessional—effective June 8–25, 2026, 3 hrs/day

10.C.1)f) Rebecca Ritchie-Summer School Paraprofessional—effective June 8–25, 2026, 3 hrs/day

10.C.1)g) Bryar Haring—Summer School Paraprofessional—effective June 8–25, 2026, 3 hrs/day

10.C.1)h) Ashley Broshous-Summer School Professional—effective June 8–25, 2026, 3 hrs/day

10.C.1)i) Maya DeWitte-Summer School Paraprofessional—effective June 8–25, 2026, 3 hrs/day

10.C.1)j) Shelly Christensen-Summer School Nurse—effective June 8–25, 2026, 3 hrs/day

10.C.1)k) Teyah Schweig-Summer School Teacher—effective June 8–25, 2026, 4 hrs/day

10.C.1)l) Natalie O'Connor-Summer School Teacher-effective June 8–25, 2026, 4 hrs/day

10.C.1)m) Ashley Boardman—Summer School Teacher—effective June 8–25, 2026, 4 hrs/day

10.C.1)n) Alyssa Meade—Summer School Teacher—effective June 8–25, 2026, 4 hrs/day

10.C.1)o) Katie McGinnis-Summer School Teacher—effective June 8–25, 2026, 4 hrs/day

10.C.1)p) Jillian Naples-Summer School Teacher—effective June 8–25, 2026, 4 hrs/day

10.C.2) Returning Stipend Positions for 26–27 SY

10.C.2)a) List attached

10.C.3) Coaching Staff

10.C.3)a) Bailin Markridge—Assistant HS Football Coach—effective 26-27 SY

10.C.3)b) Sean Carter-Assistant HS Football Coach—effective 26-27 SY

10.C.3)c) Bryar Haring—Assistant HS Football Coach—effective 26-27 SY

10.C.3)d) Wyatt Doty-Head MS Wrestling Coach—effective 26-27 SY

10.C.4) Certified Staff

10.C.4)a) Katelyn Joens-Kindergarten Teacher—effective 26-27 SY

10.C.5) Resignations

10.C.5)a) Tonia Ernst-8th grade ELA Teacher—effective June 30, 2026

10.C.5)b) Natalie Limesand—Kindergarten Teacher—effective June 30, 2026

10.C.5)c) Kendra Sipe-EMS Paraprofessional—effective May 29, 2026

10.C.5)d) Graicie James-EMS Paraprofessional—effective May 4, 2026

10.C.5)e) Sandy Wurster—EMS Cook's Assistant—effective May 29, 2026

10.C.5)f) Trish Krug-Industrial Arts Maintenance—effective June 30, 2026

10.C.6) Request for 4th Personal Day

10.C.6)a) Julie Wilson—May 4, 2026

10.C.7) Overnight Trip Request; 6:240

10.C.7)a) FFA to FFA Ataf Convention in Springfield, June 8–11, 2026

10.C.7)b) HS Music Department to Nashville Pigeon Forge, N, May 24–27, 2026

10.C.7)c) HS Volleyball to Coralville, IA for Volleyball Camp; July 20-21, 2026

11. OLD BUSINESS

11.A. Potential student discipline / action resolution for student disciplinary case "2026-03" — action item

11.B. Potential student discipline / action resolution for student disciplinary case "2026-04"-action item

11.C. OPTERRA Notice to Proceed-action item

12. NEW BUSINESS

12.A. Leave Without Pay Requests

12.A.1) Graicie James—April 8 and April 13, 2026-action item

12.A.2) Kendra Sipe—April 17, 2026-action item

12.A.3) Rebecca Ritchie-May 4, 2026-action item

12.A.4) Jessica Gruendler-1/2 day: April 10, full days: April 13, 14, 15, 16. 17, 24 and May 11, 2026-action item

12.A.5) Amanda Flathmann—April 17–May 29, 2026, to return for the 26-27 SY--action item

12.A.6) Jesse Stretton-1/2 day on May 14 & Full day on May 15, 2026-action item

12.A.7) Trish Krug—April 24, 2026-action item

12.A.8) Tonia Ernst—May 1, & May 20, 2026-action item

12.A.9) Dawn Beyer—Full day on May 19 & 1/2 day on May 26, 2026-action item

12.B. Contracts & Personnel

12.B.1) Angel Hagge- OT, Contract effective July 1, 2026—June 30, 2027-action item

12.B.2) Melody Ritzema, Speech Pathologist—contract effective July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027-action item

12.B.3) Dr. Deininger, Superintendent-4.50% rate increase—action item

12.B.4) Deana Aljets—Board Treasurer, effective 2026-2027 SY-action item

12.B.5) Transportation Department 4.25% rate increase for drivers and aides effective July 1, 2026-action item

12.C. Board Resolution for a permanent transfer of $1.9 million from Working Cash to Fund 20 O&M-action item

12.D. Dual Credit Memorandum of Understanding between Highland Community College and West Carroll School District-action item

12.E. Amended Budget—information item

12.F. Set Date, Time and Location for regular meetings of the Board of Education, 26-27 SY—action item

12.G. Approve going out to bid for Salt & Snow Removal for 26-27 SY-action item

12.H. Approve going out for bid for fuel for the 26-27 SY-action item

12.I. Approve EAB contract-action item

12.J. FOIA requests—information item

13. ADJOURN