CLAYTON RIDGE COMMUNITY SCHOOL
BOARD OF DIRECTORS REGULAR MEETING
March 13, 2025
The Clayton Ridge Board of Directors held their regular monthly meeting on March 13, 2025 in the High School Library, Guttenberg.
Call to Order/Roll Call
President Jessica Bittner called the meeting to order at 7:08 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, Principals Laura Bilden and Terri Thompson, Dean of Students Wade Marlow, and Board Secretary / Business Manager Logan Taylor.
There were 10 staff / other guests in attendance.
Approval of Agenda
Motion by Mommer and second by Kregel. Motion carried unanimously.
Reports / Communication
The HS Math team (Rick Kolbet and Bridget Schaufenbuel) presented information on current math curriculum, current / future projects, and shared Fall and Winter FAST Data.
The MS Science team (Ashley Hess and Joe Sheston) presented information on current projects, curriculum goals, and shared a MS roadmap for curriculum. Sheston also shared information on the Physics Olympics competition and that one student will be attending the state Physics Olympics competition.
The 2nd Grade team (Makenzie Farmer, Karen Reichard, and Kelsey Vlazny) presented information on curriculum changes, FAST Data, and overall improvement in scores.
Marlow shared information on attendance data comparing past 4 day weeks against 5 day weeks.
Thompson reported on recent activities including the musical programs, physics Olympics, Reality Check, and show choir.
Bilden shared that the elementary will be attending an all day LETRS training session next week and the Elementary is currently in the process of completing literacy walkthroughs.
Taylor briefly shared the proposed FY26 tax rate in advance of the public hearing and provided updates on the FY24 audit.
Wahls discussed 4-day school week survey questions and provided updates on the therapeutic school. Wahls also shared Governor Kim Reynolds will be attending the ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Family Resource Center building in Guttenberg on March 14, 2025.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Johnson and second by Finnegan to approve the minutes from the February 13 regular meeting and February 25 Special meeting; the January and February financial statements; and the listing of invoices. Motion carried unanimously.
New Business
- Employment
Motion by Finnegan and second by Kregel to approve the following resignations and hires:
Resignations
- Savannah Zarr – Girls Basketball Coach
- Casey Zarr – Assistant Girls Basketball Coach
- Ben Backes – Assistant Boys Basketball Coach
- Jessica Penn – Interpreter
Hires
- Jarid Grinstead – Assistant Golf Coach
- Kyler Millard – Assistant Baseball Coach
Motion carried unanimously.
- Early Retirement
Motion by Johnson and second by Brandt to approve an early retirement request for Kathy Connelly. Motion carried unanimously.
- Senior Class Trip
Motion by Finnegan and second by Pierce to approve the overnight senior class trip to Florida. Motion carried unanimously.
- Amend 2024-25 Calendar (Weather Make Up Days)
Motion by Finnegan and second by Kregel to amend the 2024-25 Calendar to include 3 additional contracted days for staff to make up for snow days. Any further potential snow days would not be required to be made up. Motion carried unanimously.
- Baseball Sharing Agreement
Motion by Johnson and second by Pierce to approve a 28E Agreement with Central CSD to share baseball for 2025 season. Motion carried unanimously.
- Open Enrollments
Motion by Finnegan and second by Brandt to deny 2 applications to the Iowa Virtual Academy as their IEP requirements cannot be met at this time. Motion carried unanimously.
- Math Graduation Requirements
Motion by Brandt and second by Mommer to approve new math graduation requirements. Students are required to complete Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II standards. Motion carried unanimously.
- Capital Projects
Motion by Mommer and second by Finnegan to approve the following projects:
- Elementary Roof Project – $54,100 – (Lynch Roofing)
- Scoreboards for Baseball and Softball: $24,063 ($7,000 in donations received) – (Varsity Scoreboard)
- Turf Tank Robot 3-year lease: $12,700 ($7,800 in donations received)
- Sound System for Guttenberg Gym: Not to exceed $30,000 ($5,000 in donations received)
- Re-Seal Blacktop at MS Playground: Not to exceed $12,000 (Kluesner Construction)
- Therapeutic School Furniture: Not to exceed $7,500
- Therapeutic School Rent: $36,000
- Carpet in 5th grade classroom: Not to Exceed $10,000
- Trophy Case for MS/HS Commons: $11,500 – (VIP)
Motion carried unanimously.
- First Reading – Policy 103: Long Range Needs Assessment
A first reading was held of the listed policy.
- First Reading – Policy 104: Bullying and Harassment
A first reading was held of the listed policy.
- Volunteer Soccer Coach
Motion by Kregel and second by Johnson to approve the hire of Katie Dean as volunteer soccer coach. Motion carried unanimously.
Adjournment
Motion by Kregel and second by Finnegan to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting Adjourned at 8:36 PM
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Logan Taylor, Board Secretary
Approved this 17th day of April 2025
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Jessica Bittner, Board President