West Fork Community School District Board Minutes

Official Proceedings – Regular Meeting – April 21, 2025 – Approved

        The West Fork Board of Education met for its regular meeting in the Band Room in Rockwell. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM by Board Vice President, Amber Marzen. Board members present: Grant Petersen, Travis Butler and, Erin Suntken. Absent: Holly Henricks.  Also present were Superintendent Mike Kruger, and West Fork Board Secretary Lacey Pueggel.

Visitors: Abbie Emhoff via Google Meet.

Petersen made a motion to approve the Agenda, Minutes from March 17th, 2025, and March 24th, April 2025 Bills, and March 2025 Financials; seconded by Butler. Motion carried 4-0.  

        Principals Report:

1. Elementary FAST testing starting April 22nd
2. K-2 Concert, May 6th at 6pm
3. 3rd-5th Concert, including band, May 13th at 6 pm
4. Preschool Graduation May 20th
5. Last Day 3-year-old preschool May 22nd
6. Last Day 4-year-old preschool May 23rd
7. Track and Field day on May 27th (Rain date May 29th)
8. Elementary Color Run on May 30th
9. Thank you for all the support during ISAP testing
10. 2nd and 3rd grade will start cursive next year
11. Math personalized plans have started for the next school year
12. AEA will be providing LETRS training for Elementary teachers
13. Prom this Saturday, April 26th, Grand March at 4 pm, Dance at 8 pm
14. Seniors have 16 class days left
15. MS dance was held on April 4th
16. JH Track first meet in St. Ansgar today
17. MS FAST testing started
18. New Science curriculum for next school year - OpenSciEd

Superintendent’s Report

1. Update on Wellness Center repairs
2. Cell Phone Policy Implementation Possibilities
3. NIACC Regional Academy is hoping to have it ready in the fall of the 26-27 school year

        New Business:

Petersen moved to enter into Public Hearing for the 2025-2026 Budget; seconded by Suntken. Motion carried 4-0. Ayes: Butler, Marzen, Petersen, Suntken. Nays: N/A

Petersen moved to exit the Public Hearing for the 2025-2026 Budget; seconded by Suntken. Motion carried 4-0. Ayes: Butler, Marzen, Petersen, Suntken. Nays: N/A.

        Following the Budget Public Hearing, Suntken moved to approve the 2025-2026 Budget as presented with a 12.83 tax rate; seconded by Petersen. Motion carried 4-0. Ayes: Butler, Marzen, Petersen, Suntken. Nays: N/A.

        Suntken moved to approve the Budget Guarantee Resolution: RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of WEST FORK community school district will levy property taxes for fiscal year 2025-2026 for the regular program budget adjustment as allowed under section 257.14, Code of Iowa; seconded by Butler. Motion carried 4-0.

        Petersen moved to set a Special Board Meeting for April 24, 2025, at 4 pm in the Rockwell Supt. Office to approve the Sale/Resolution of General Obligation Bonds; seconded by Butler. Motion carried 4-0.

        Butler moved to set a Public Hearing for the 2024-2025 Budget Amendment on May 19th, 2025 at 5pm in Sheffield in the Media Center; seconded by Petersen. Motion carried 4-0.

        Following the discussion, Petersen moved to approve the 2025-2026 Master Agreement with the West Fork EA with a 2.48% total package and a 3.33% Salary only package; seconded by Butler. Motion carried 4-0.

        Petersen moved to approve the graduating class of 2025 contingent upon meeting all requirements; seconded by Butler. Motion carried 4-0.

        Petersen moved to approve the 2023-2024 Audit as presented; seconded by Suntken. Motion carried 4-0.

        Butler moved to approve the Copier Lease Agreement with Access Systems with the Standardized Machines quote for $1,340/month; seconded by Petersen. Motion carried 4-0.

        Petersen moved to approve a 28E Agreement with Mason City and BK for a Work Experience Coordinator for Special Education Services; seconded by Suntken. Motion carried 4-0.

        Petersen moved to approve the first reading of the following Board Policies to be renewed annually: 103, 103.R1, 505.8, 505.8R1, 506.1, 506.1E1, 506.1E2, 506.1E3, 506.1E4, 506.1E5, 506.1E6, 506.1E7, 506.1E8, 506.1R1, 506.2, 506.2E1, 506.2R1, 506.4; seconded by Butler. Motion carried 4-0.

        Butler moved to approve the end-of-year calendar schedule with the following changes: Wednesday May 28th, we will have a regular day of school with no early dismissal, and Friday, May 30th a 2-hour early dismissal, and that will be the last day of school for students. Teachers' last day will also be May 30th if they have completed the check-out process; seconded by Suntken. Motion carried 4-0.

Suntken moved to approve a contract for Carrie O’Connor to serve as the JH Softball Coach; seconded by Butler. Motion carried 4-0.

Suntken moved to approve a contract with Jesse Emhoff to serve as Bus Mechanic/Transportation; seconded by Butler. Motion carried 4-0.

Suntken moved to approve a contract for Amy Symens to serve as a .75 FTE Title I Instructor; seconded by Butler. Motion carried 4-0.

Suntken moved to approve a contract for Kelli Lage to serve HS English Language Arts Instructor; seconded by Butler. Motion carried 4-0.

Suntken moved to approve the resignation of Lexis Barkema, Early Childhood/Special Education Instructor; seconded by Butler. Motion carried 4-0.

Suntken moved to approve the resignation of Amy Symens, Media Center Specialist/Interventionist; seconded by Butler. Motion carried 4-0.

Suntken moved to approve the resignation of Nathan Pralle, Speech Coach; seconded by Butler. Motion carried 4-0.

Next Board Meeting: Special meeting, April 24th at 4 pm in the Rockwell Supt. Office. Regular Board meeting, May 19th, 2025, at 5 pm in Sheffield Media Center.

Petersen moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:45 pm; seconded by Suntken. Motion carried 4-0.

______________________________                                              _______________________________

Board Vice President – Amber Marzen                                                    Board Secretary – Lacey Pueggel