CLAYTON RIDGE COMMUNITY SCHOOL
BOARD OF DIRECTORS PUBLIC HEARING AND REGULAR MEETING
January 8, 2026
PUBLIC HEARING
A public hearing was held in the High School Library starting at 5:30 PM regarding the intent to transfer certain categorical funds to the School Flexibility Fund to allow for the flexible expenditure of these funds during the budget year beginning in or after the calendar year in which the transfer to the flexibility fund occurs. There were no comments from the public.
Public hearing was closed at 5:36 PM
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING
January 8, 2026
The Clayton Ridge Board of Directors held their regular monthly meeting on January 8, 2026 in the High School Library, Guttenberg.
Call to Order/Roll Call
President Jessica Bittner called the meeting to order at 5:36 PM. Other members in attendance were Sam Brandt, Mike Finnegan, Ellen Johnson, Dan Kregel, Shelly Mommer, and TJ Pierce.
Also in attendance were Superintendent Shane Wahls, Principal Laura Bilden, Principal Terri Thompson, Dean of Students Wade Marlow, Special Education /Student Services Director Hud Johnston, Head of Schools Steve Hoff, and Business Manager / Board Secretary Logan Taylor.
There were 14 other employees / guests present.
Welcome & Public Forum
Public comment was received from 2 members of the community.
Approval of Agenda
Motion by Finnegan and second by Pierce to approve the agenda as posted. Motion carried unanimously.
Reports / Communication
OPAA Operations Manager Daniel Palmer and Food Service Director Colleen Schneider gave a presentation on Clayton Ridge’s nutrition program.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Brandt and second by Kregel to approve the minutes from the December 11, 2025 regular meeting and listing of invoices. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business
- Flexibility Fund Resolution
Motion by Johnson and second by Finnegan to adopt a resolution to establish a School Flexibility Fund and transfer balances of certain categorical funds of $416,540.41. Roll Call vote. Motion carried unanimously.
- Accept Bus Bid
Motion by Finnegan and second by Johnson to approve the purchase of two buses from School Bus Sales at a cost of $147,459 each for a total of $294,918. Motion carried unanimously.
- Open Enrollments
Motion by Mommer and second by Pierce to deny 3 applications to the Iowa Virtual Academy due to IEP requirements. Motion carried unanimously.
- Employment
Motion by Kregel and second by Mommer to approve the following resignations and early retirements:
Resignations
- Jason Hefel – Junior High Football Coach
- Jonathan Klaes – Junior High Football Coach
- Theresa Sample-Anderson – Custodian
- Joe Sheston – High School Teacher, effective the end of the 2025-26 school year
Early Retirements
- Christine Torkelson – MS/HS Teachers’ Associate, effective end of the 2025-26 school year
- At-Risk / Dropout Prevention
Motion by Brandt and second by Johnson to authorize the district’s administration to submit a request of a modified supplemental amount of $190,981 associated with the at-risk and dropout prevention program. Motion carried unanimously.
- 2nd Reading of Policies: 100, 101, 102, 102.R1, 102.E1, 102.E2, 102.E3, 102.E4, 102.E5, 102.E6, 103, 103.R1, 104, 104.E1, 104.E2, 104.E3, 104.R1, 105, 105.1, 105.1E1, 105.1E2, 106
A second reading was held of the listed policies. Motion by Finnegan and second by Mommer to approve the policies as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
- Approve Support Personnel Salary Supplement
Motion by Pierce and second by Kregel to approve a school year end stipend of $18,582.57 to be evenly distributed between all hourly employees included in funding calculation. Motion carried unanimously.
- 1st Reading of Policies: 200.01, 200.01R1, 200.02, 200.03, 200.04, 201, 202.01, 202.03, 202.04, 203, 204, 205, 206.01, 206.02, 206.03, 206.04, 207, 208, 208.R1, 209.01, 209.02, 209.03, 209.04, 209.05, 209.06, 209.07, 210.01, 210.02, 210.03, 210.04, 210.05, 210.06, 210.07, 210.07R1, 210.08, 210.09,211, 212, 212.01, 213, 213.01, 214, 215, 216.01, 216.02, 216.03, 216.04, 217, 279.3
A first reading was held of the listed policies.
- Closed Session
Motion by Johnson and second by Pierce to enter closed session per Iowa Code 21.5 (1)a. to review or discuss records which are required or authorized by state or federal law to be kept confidential as a condition for that governmental body’s possession or continued receipt of federal funds. Motion carried unanimously.
Closed session entered at 6:20 pm.
Motion by Finnegan and second by Kregel to enter open session. Motion carried unanimously.
Open session entered at 7:52 pm.
Adjournment
Motion by Pierce and second by Mommer to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:52 PM
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Logan Taylor, Board Secretary
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Jessica Bittner, Board President