The Iola-Scandinavia School Board will meet on Monday, Oct. 7, at 6 p.m. in Room #6 of the Elementary School, located at 450 Division Street. Key items on the agenda will include updates on a referendum, decisions regarding job descriptions and personnel changes, and a proposal for a grant-funded outdoor freezer. The board will also review policy updates and discuss plans for upcoming student travel.
The meeting, open to the public for observation, will commence with the reading of the official notice, followed by a roll call and the Pledge of Allegiance. Although not a public hearing, attendees may have the opportunity to offer comments during designated times as outlined in the agenda.
After approving the agenda, the board will first revisit an old item of business: an update on the ongoing referendum, which has been a central focus in previous meetings. This update will provide further clarity on the district’s financial and infrastructure goals.
Committee Reports
Several committees will provide key reports during the meeting, starting with the Building and Grounds Committee. Chairperson Boris will present an update on the Outdoor Freezer Grant, which includes reviewing quotes for electrical work needed to install the freezer.
The Personnel and Nominations Committee, led by Chairperson Kirmse, will focus on significant job changes and descriptions. The board will review job descriptions for maintenance personnel, a daytime custodian, and educational assistants, including a specialized position for Special Education (SPED). Additionally, the committee will address recent resignations, including a middle and high school SPED assistant (Lisa Nelson), an elementary educational assistant (Jeanene Rusch) who also served as a substitute teacher, and the JV boys’ basketball coach (Scott Tappa). Hiring proposals will be presented to fill part-time positions, such as a custodian (Michael Fox), SPED educational assistant (Kayleen Phillips), and library assistant (Kayla Johnson).
Budget and Policy Updates
The Finance Committee, chaired by Krogwold with support from committee members Erikka Flowers and Mark Sether, will provide a much-anticipated budget update. This will give insight into the district’s current financial status and any necessary adjustments to its fiscal strategy.
In addition, the Policy and Legislation Committee, chaired by Grassl, is expected to propose revisions to several key policies, including Policy 6423 and Policies 4140 and 4120.
The Curriculum Committee, chaired by Jones, will present applications for Early College Credit Program (ECCP) and Start College Now (SCN), which allow high school students to take college courses.
Student Travel Plans
New business items on the agenda will focus on upcoming travel opportunities for students. The board will consider overnight travel requests for the DECA program (Emerging Leaders Conference in Wisconsin Dells) and the high school baseball team (Disney, Orlando, Florida, for Spring Break). These travel opportunities are expected to enrich students’ extracurricular experiences.
Future Meetings
The meeting will conclude with a look ahead to future agenda items, including the Annual Meeting scheduled for Monday, Oct. 14, in the High School Auditorium. This meeting will offer the public a broader overview of district operations, financials, and educational goals. Immediately following the Annual Meeting, the next Regular Board Meeting will be held in the same venue.
With an agenda packed with important decisions and updates, the Iola-Scandinavia School Board aims to address critical issues that will impact the district’s operations and policies in the coming months. Residents and staff alike will be watching closely as the board makes decisions that shape the future of education in the district.