Board Minutes 2025.7.17

Graettinger-Terril Board of Education

Regular Board Minutes

July 17, 2025

 

The Graettinger-Terril Board of Directors held its regular meeting with the following in attendance.  Directors Kevin Jensen, Mat Hanson, Patrick Fairchild.  Superintendent Marshall Lewis, MS/HS Principal Jeremy Simington,  Elementary Principal/Curriculum Director Anita Helmich, SBO Josh Bader, and Board Secretary Angie Woods.   Absent: Director Shamus Currans and Director Joey Moen.  All votes are unanimous unless otherwise noted. 

 

  1. Call to Order-President Jensen at 6:00 p.m. in the MS/HS Library in Graettinger, Iowa.   The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
  2. Determine a Quorum- President Jensen
  3. Adopt Agenda- Motion to adopt the agenda as presented by Fairchild.  Seconded by Hanson.  Motion carried.
  4. Guests: Rowaida Lair, Brandi Cellan, Mitch Girres, Rebekah Havis and Phillip Schmitt.
  5. Approval of Minutes-Motion by Hanson to approve the June 16, 2025 regular board minutes and June 10, 2025 Board Workshop Notes.  Seconded by Fairchild.  Motion carried.
  6. Bills and Claims- Motion by Hanson to approve the Bills and Claims.  Seconded by Fairchild.  Motion carried.
  7. Financial Reports- Bader presented the financials.
  8. Old Business-
    1. Motion by Hanson to continue the contract with The District Marketing.  Seconded by Fairchild.  Motion carried.
  9. New Business-
    1. Activity Calendar: Motion by Fairchild to approve the August 2025 Board Calendar with the next Board meeting Tuesday, August 19 at 6 p.m. in Terril.  Seconded by Hanson.  Motion carried.
    2. Legislative  Resolution:  Upon review and discussion Fairchild moved to support the following Legislative Priorities.  Mental Health, Local Accountability & Decision-Making, Supplemental State Aid and Unfunded Mandates.  Seconded by Hanson.  Motion carried.
    3. Staff Handbook:  Fairchild moved to approve the 25-26 Staff Handbook.  Seconded by Hanson.  Motion carried.
    4. Student and Parent Handbooks:  Hanson moved to approve the 25-26 Elementary Handbook, 25-26 MS Handbook and the 25-26 HS Handbook.  Seconded by Fairchild.  Motion carried.
    5. Coaches Handbook:  Hanson moved to approve the 25-26 Coaches Handbook.  Seconded by Fairchild.  Motion carried.
    6. Board Policies:  Motion by Fairchild to approve the  following board policies with changes. 300 Role of School District Administration, 303.5 Administrator Duties, 502.7 Substance Abuse, 102 Equal Educational Opportunity, 401.1 Equal Employment Opportunity, 401.15 Limitations to Employee References, and 501.9 Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy. Seconded by Hanson.  Motion carried.
  10. Personnel
    1. Hires: Hanson moved to approve the following Hires: Tasha Sidles-Para Educator, Samantha McGrauth- Para Educator, Amanda Mart-Paraeducator, and Joy Eldridge Special Education Teacher.  Seconded by Fairchild.  Motion carried.
    2. Resignations:  Fairchild moved to approve the following resignations pending suitable replacement.  Rebekah Havis-Special Education and Angela Cook- 4th Grade teacher.   Seconded by Hanson.  Motion carried.
  11. Committee reports- none at this time
  12. Administrative reports-Superintendent report was given by Lewis and Elementary Principal/Curriculum report was given by Helmich and MS/HS Principal report was given by Simington.
  13. Board Secretary comments:  Informed the board the Hanson and Currans are up for election and will get them the paperwork needed.

Adjournment- Fairchild moved to adjourn at 7:25PM.  Seconded by Hanson.  Motion carried.