Highland Community Schools
Board of Directors Meeting
Monday, May 13, 2024
5:00 p.m. – Highland Board Room
The meeting was called to order at 5:00 p.m. by President Nate Robinson.
Roll call was taken with Aaron Friederich, Joslin Schott, Karen Fink, Dennis Wendt, Dan Ruth and Nate Robinson present. Rachel Longbine was absent. Also in attendance were Ken Crawford, Superintendent, Spencer Lueders, incoming Superintendent, Autumn Moyer, Board Secretary, Angela Hazelett, Secondary Principal and Jane O’Leary, Elementary Principal.
Schott made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Seconded by Fink.
Motion carried 6-0
5:01 p.m. – The Board met in session for the purpose of a hearing upon the budget amendment. Said proposal was published on the 1st of May, 2025 in The News, published at Kalona, of said county.
Taxpayers were heard for and against said amendment of which there were none.
President Nate Robinson closed the public hearing at 5:02 pm
Ruth made a motion to adopt the 2024-2025 budget amendment as published by increasing the total other expenditures by $383,657 for a total of $1,450,00 due to ESCROW GO Bond Payment. Seconded by Schott.
Motion carried 6-0
Consent Agenda Items:
Minutes: Approval of the April 14, 2025 regular meeting minutes
Approval of the April 14, 2025 HEA Negotiations meeting minutes
Financial Reports: Approval of the April financial reports.
Payment of Bills: Approval of the following May bills.
General Fund - $100,351.61
Prepaid General Fund - $7,899.38
Prepaid Schoolhouse Fund - $3,502.76
Activity Fund - $8,605.27
Prepaid Activity Fund - $4,627.99
Nutrition Fund - $14,916.97
Fundraiser: none Ruth made a motion to approve the items on the consent agenda. Seconded by Friederich.
Motion carried 6-0
Receive Visitors: None
Classroom Cash from Hills Bank was presented by Cindy Michel and Hayley Wright in the amount of $1,319.82. Since 2004 Classroom Cash has contributed $44,180.29 to Highland Community Schools.
Andrew McDonald spoke to the board regarding an overseas trip to Italy during July/August 2027 which would take place over nine days. This trip would include a full-time tour director, transportation, hotels, two meals daily, tickets to different attractions, and guided sightseeing. Students would travel out of Chicago and fly into Milan at the beginning of the trip and fly out of Rome back to Chicago at the conclusion, spending a total of two travel days. Once arriving in Italy they would spend two nights in Venice, two nights in Florence, and three nights in Rome.
Students have the opportunity to earn academic credit at the conclusion of the trip if they elect by following the appropriate guidelines.
Ruth motioned to approve the 2027 International trip to Italy. Seconded by Fink.
Motion carried 6-0
Ruth made a motion to approve the 2025 seniors for graduation on May 18, 2025, pending completion of all graduation requirements. Seconded by Schott.
Motion carried 6-0
Schott made a motion to approve the 2025-26 Certified Staff contracts. Seconded by Friederich.
Motion carried 5-0
Fink abstained
Ruth made a motion to approve the 2025-26 Classified Staff contracts. Seconded by Schott.
Motion carried 6-0
Friederich made a motion to approve the 2025-26 Administrative & Director contracts. Seconded by Ruth.
Motion carried 5-0
Fink abstained
Ruth made a motion to approve the Pepsi contract for a five year term. Seconded by Friederich.
Motion carried 5-0
Robinson abstained
Mr Crawford went over changes on board policies 711.01-Student School Transportation Eligibility, 711.02-Student Conduct On School Transportation, 711.02(R)- Student Conduct On School Transportation Regulation, 711.03-Student Transportation for Extracurricular Activities, 711.04-Summer School Program Transportation Service, 711.05-Transportation of Nonresident and Nonpublic School Students, 711.06-Transportation of Nonschool Groups, 711.07-School Bus Safety Instruction, 711.08-Transportation in Inclement Weather, 711.09-District Vehicle Idling, 711.10-School Bus Passenger Restraints, 712-Technology and Data Security, 712R(1)-Technology and Data Security- Security Requirements of Third-Party Vendors Regulation, 715-Before/After School Program. These policies will be brought back to the next meeting for the second reading.
Schott made a motion to approve the following board policies. Seconded by Fink.
Motion carried 6-0
702 Cash in School Buildings
704.02 Debt Management
704.02-R(1) Debt Management-Post-Issuance Compliance Regulation for Tax-Exempt Obligations
704.03 Investments
704.04 Gifts-Grants-Bequests
704.05 Student Activities Fund
705.03 Payment for Goods and Services
705.04 Expenditures for a Public Purpose
705.04-R(1) Expenditures for a Public Purpose- Use of Public Funds Regulation
707.05 Internal Controls
707.05-R(1) Internal Controls-Procedures
709 Insurance Program
710.02 Free or Reduced Cost Meals Eligibility
710.03 Vending Machines
707.2 Treasurer’s Annual Report (rescind)
707.3 Publication of Financial Reports (rescind)
Ruth made a motion to approve the personnel items. Seconded by Fink.
Motion carried 6-0
Resignations:
Mackenzie Streveler-Highland Elementary Teacher
Shayla Seils- Secondary Agriculture Teacher, FFA Advisor
Samantha Cox- NHS Advisor
Appointments:
Kelsey Black- HS Assistant Volleyball Coach-10%
Amy Keller- Elementary Teacher- MA(34) $67,406
Board of Directors:
Nate Robinson welcomed Dennis Wendt to the board.
Dan Ruth gave a shout out to both the Girls Golf Team and Soccer Team for having good seasons.
Angela Hazelett, Secondary School Principal:
•Student Course Scheduling
•Kirkwood Schedules due June 1, 2025
•Mrs. Schwab is doing a lot of great things for the students.
•Senior Awards Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 6 pm
•See Board Report
Jane O’Leary, Elementary School Principal:
•See Board Report
•Students looking forward to senior walkthrough
•Fifth grade kickball vs. Teachers
Autumn Moyer, Board Secretary:
•Highland Foundation Scholarship
•Contracts to be sent out beginning Tuesday
•Benefits Enrollment meeting/Staff Appreciation-Ice Cream and Service awards to take place on May 16, 2025
Ken Crawford, Superintendent:
•Thanks Autumn for all the work she is doing.
•May is School Board Recognition month, certificates were handed out to each board member prior to the meeting and thanked members for their service. Cookies and Dreams Cookies will be served at the conclusion of the meeting as a special treat.
•Property Tax Version 3.0
•Board Retreat to be held June 23, 2025 from 1-4pm.
•Bond Issue appeal waiting period until we can hire a CMAR.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 9, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the high school board room.
Ruth made a motion to adjourn at 6:25 p.m. Seconded by Schott.
Motion carried 6-0
Reports and documents and the full text of motions, resolutions, or policies considered by the Board at this meeting are on file in the Board Secretary’s office, 648-3822, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
PRESIDENT, NATE ROBINSON
SECRETARY, AUTUMN MOYER
Published in The News, Thursday, May 29, 2025 L-246
