CLAYTON RIDGE COMMUNITY SCHOOL
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING
February 12, 2026
The Clayton Ridge Board of Directors held their regular monthly meeting on February 12, 2026 in the Elementary School Library, Garnavillo.
Call to Order/Roll Call
President Jessica Bittner called the meeting to order at 5:30 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, Director of Special Education / Student Services Hud Johnston, and Board Secretary Logan Taylor.
There were 33 other employees / guests present.
Approval of Agenda
Motion by Mommer and second by Finnegan to approve the agenda as posted. Motion carried unanimously.
Reports / Communication
Ben Backes, Rhea Cano, Angel Flack, Heather Meyer, Adam Radcliffe and Kendra Wilke presented on program curriculum.
Nicole Hampton and Savannah Zarr shared Preschool testing data.
Laura Morarend, Katie Winch, and Casey Zarr presented on Special Education programming for grades 6-12.
Tierney Hoefer and Ellie Kinley shared testing data for 1st grade.
Makenzie Farmer and Kelsey Vlazny shared testing data for 2nd grade.
Annette Willenborg presented on intervention programming for grades 6-12.
Wahls shared data from the current year with a four-day school week compared to the previous year.
Bilden shared Elementary data from the current year with a four-day school week compared to the previous year and discussed programming changes.
Thompson shared testing data for grades 6-12.
Johnston shared Elementary data for testing, referrals, and attendance.
Marlow shared referral and attendance data for grades 6-12.
Finnegan discussed the Voter Physical Plant & Equipment Levy.
Mommer and Pierce left at 7PM.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Kregel and second by Johnson to approve the minutes from the January 8 regular meeting, January 30 work session, February 5 Special Meeting & Work Session, January financials, and listing of invoices. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business
- Employment
Motion by Finnegan and second by Brandt to accept the resignation of Terri Thompson as MS/HS Principal effective the end of the 2025-26 school year. Votes were as follows:
Aye: Bittner, Brandt Finnegan, Johnson, Kregel, Mommer
Nay: Johnson
Motion passed.
- Open Enrollments
Motion by Brandt and second by Kregel to deny 19 open enrollment applications to the Iowa Virtual Academy. 15 open enrollment in application denials were due to IEP requirements and 3 open enrollment in application denials were due to a suspension / expulsion. There was 1 Open enrollment out application that was denied due to a late application. Motion carried unanimously.
- STEM Best Budget
Motion by Johnson and second by Kregel to approve STEM Best Budget expenditures of $36,918.28 for program technology and equipment. Motion carried unanimously.
- Approve Lane Change Requests
Motion by Kregel and second by Finnegan to approve the following lane change requests:
- Celeste Harber from BA +20 to MA.
- Elly Meyer from BA +20 to MA.
- Allison Troester BA to MA +10.
- Kendra Wilke from BA to BA+20.
Motion carried unanimously.
- Facility Use Agreement
Motion by Kregel and second by Johnson to approve the following facility use agreements:
- Gospel Hall Church to use the Garnavillo kitchen and gym for a conference on June 13-14, 2026.
- Vincent Schmelzer to use for Men’s Basketball League
- Nathan Niehaus to use for student open gym as available
- Gina Parker to use for student open gym as available.
Motion carried unanimously.
- Set Public Hearing for FY27 Budget Proposals
Motion by Johnson and second by Pierce to set the first required public hearing for Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 5:30PM and the second required public hearing for April 15, 2026 at 5:30PM. Both public hearings will be held in the Elementary Library, Garnavillo. Motion carried unanimously.
- 2nd 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 second reading was held of the listed policies. Motion by Brandt and second by Finnegan to approve the policies as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
- Superintendent Search Firm
Motion by Johnson and second by Kregel to approve an agreement with Grundmeyer Leader Services to assist with an upcoming Superintendent search. The total amount of this agreement is $13,654.62. Motion carried unanimously.
- 1st Reading of Policies: 300, 301, 301.01, 301.02, 302.01, 302.02, 302.03, 302.04, 302.05, 302.06, 302.07, 302.08, 303.01, 303.02, 303.03, 303.04, 303.05, 303.06, 303.07, 303.08, 303.09, 304.01, 304.02, 305, 306, 307, 710.01-R(1), and 710.1E2
A first reading was held of the listed policies.
- MS Boys Basketball Stipend
Motion by Johnson and second by Brandt to approve a $1,000 stipend to be paid to Kiley McGuine for coaching both 7th and 8th grade Girls basketball and Antwan Allen for coaching both 7th and 8th grade Boys basketball. Motion carried unanimously.
- FCCLA & FBLA Trips
Motion by Brandt and second by Johnson to approve overnight travel for FCCLA and FBLA state conventions in March 2026. Motion carried unanimously.
- At-Risk/Dropout Prevention Program
Motion by Finnegan and second by Kregel to approve the At-Risk/Dropout Plan for the 2026-27 school year. Motion carried unanimously.
Adjournment
Motion by Kregel and second by Finnegan to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:24 PM
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Logan Taylor, Board Secretary
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Jessica Bittner, Board President