CLAYTON RIDGE COMMUNITY SCHOOL
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING & PUBLIC HEARING
May 8, 2025
The Clayton Ridge Board of Directors held their regular monthly meeting on May 8, 2025 in the High School Library, Guttenberg.
Public Hearing
A public hearing on the 2025-26 school calendar was opened at 5:30 pm.
Superintendent Shane Wahls presented the proposed 2025-26 school year calendar.
There were no additional comments from the public.
The public hearing closed at 5:40 pm.
Call to Order/Roll Call
President Jessica Bittner called the meeting to order at 5:40 PM. Other members in attendance were Sam Brandt, Mike Finnegan, Ellen Johnson, Dan Kregel, and Shelly Mommer. TJ Pierce was absent.
Also in attendance were Superintendent Shane Wahls, Principal Terri Thompson, Principal Laura Bilden, Dean of Students Wade Marlow, and Board Secretary / Business Manager Logan.
There were 16 employees and guests present.
Approval of Agenda
Motion by Finnegan and second by Kregel to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
Reports / Communication
Teachers Kathy Connelly, Janita Stavroplus, and Allison Troester reported on 3rd Grade LETRS Updates, Test Results, and class projects.
Teachers Nicole DeGidio, Julie Hansel, and Michelle Scott reported on the proposed HS District Career & Academic Plan (DCAP) and changes to work based learning.
Teachers Rhea Cano, Heather Meyer, and Kendra Wilke presented HS Spanish program updates, HS Music program events / enrollment numbers, and HS art program updates / student art shows.
Teachers McKenna Keeney, Ellie Kinley, and Skyler Soppe shared 1st grade testing results, small group literacy processes, and goals for the remainder of the year.
Wahls shared application numbers for recent job postings and gave a reminder of the upcoming Budget Amendment public hearing on May 21, 2025.
Taylor shared highlights from April 2025 financials and stated the FY24 audit has been completed and is available for review upon request / available online.
Bilden reported that annual building goals for Power words have been met and shared goals for the remainder of the school year.
Marlow provided absenteeism updates and shared trends and most common attendance issues.
Thompson presented building updates and shared that ISASP goals were met by building.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Brandt and second by Mommer to approve the minutes from the April 10 regular meeting, April 23 Public Hearing, and the April 23 special meeting; the April financial statements; and the listing of invoices. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business
- OPAA Proposal
Motion by Finnegan and second by Mommer to approve a request for proposal received from OPAA!. This is a five year contract beginning with the 2025-26 school year. Motion carried unanimously.
- 2025-26 School Calendar
Motion by Mommer and second by Finnegan to approve the 2025-26 school calendar as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
- District Career & Academic Plan (DCAP)
Motion by Johnson and second by Kregel to approve the District Career & Academic Plan as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
- Open Enrollments
Motion by Kregel and second by Brandt to deny 1 application to the Iowa Virtual Academy due to suspension / expulsion. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Finnegan and second by Johnson to deny 4 local open enrollment requests due to late application.
- Summer Band
Motion by Finnegan and second by Brandt to approve up to 75 hours for summer band. Motion carried unanimously.
- Extended School Year
Motion by Johnson and second by Kregel to approve up to 40 hours of extended school year for special education. Motion carried unanimously.
- Distribution of Diplomas Class of 2025
Motion by Mommer and second by Brandt to approve distribution of diplomas to the Iowa Virtual Academy and Clayton Ridge High School Class of 2025, pending completion of requirements. Motion carried unanimously.
- Employment: K-5 Director of Special Ed. / Student Services
Motion by Finnegan and second by Brandt to hire Hudson Johnston as K-5 Director of Special Education / Student Services. Motion carried unanimously.
- FY26 Technology Services Contract – Keystone AEA
Motion by Johnson and second by Brandt to approve a 2025-26 Technology Services Contract with Keystone AEA in the amount of $57,785.56. Motion carried unanimously.
- FY26 Keystone AEA Service Agreement
Motion by Finnegan and second by Johnson to approve a 2025-26 Service Agreement with Keystone AEA in the amount of $60,872.10. Motion carried unanimously.
- AEA Contract to Transfer Special Education Funding
Motion by Johnson and second by Kregel to approve a contract with Keystone AEA to automatically transfer 90% of State funds allocated to the District for AEA Special Education support services. Motion carried unanimously.
- FY25 Audit Proposal
Motion by Finnegan and second by Brandt to approve the FY25 audit proposal received from O’Connor, Brooks & P.C in the amount of $19,600. Motion carried unanimously.
- Fund Transfer Resolution
Motion by Brandt and second by Mommer to adopt a resolution to transfer $4,906.27 from the General Fund to Athletics Fund for safety equipment. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Brandt and second by Mommer to adopt a resolution to transfer $259,182 from the PPEL Fund to Debt Service Fund for debt payments. Motion carried unanimously.
- Facility Use Agreement
Motion by Kregel and second by Brandt to approve the use of the MS Gym for a quilt show on July 4, 2025. Motion carried unanimously.
- Overnight Trips for FBLA & FCCLA
Motion by Mommer and second by Johnson to approve overnight trips to national competitions for both FBLA and FCCLA. Motion carried unanimously.
Adjournment
Motion by Finnegan and second by Kregel to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:17 PM
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Logan Taylor, Board Secretary
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Jessica Bittner, Board President