Board Minutes - 2026.03.23 Work Session

Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Community School District
Board Work Session
March 23, 2026

The Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Community School District Board of Directors met at the District Offices in Eddyville on Monday, March 23, 2026, immediately following the special board meeting – public hearing.  Visitors in attendance: Steve Edmonds, Joan Edmonds, Ann Ohms, Brad Fisher, Nick Batterson, Dimitri Boyer, Andy Alexander, Ron Reed, Michele Ratliff, Mark Miller, Bryce Edmonds, Curt Houk, and others who did not sign in.

Call to Order: President Judy called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Roll call: Ed Glenn – present; Eric Klyn – present; Brianne Batterson – present; Micah Van Mersbergen – present; Kyle Teach – present; Tyrone Lobberecht – present; Tom Judy – present. Quorum established.

Approve Agenda: Lobberecht moved, and Van Mersbergen seconded, to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.

Work Session:

• Preschool programming: Mrs. Nelson, Eddyville Elementary Principal, updated the board on preschool programming considerations. Half-day preschool is an option that would allow students to attend at no cost. Transportation would be provided through the regular before- and after-school bus routes. Students could be picked up by parents or use the services of Eddyville Daycare from the end of the preschool session until 3:10 p.m., when the rest of the students are dismissed, at a cost of $50 per week. There is currently legislation being discussed that, if approved, would determine required playtime limits for students and could alter the time that preschool would end. There is a high level of interest in all-day preschool, and the board requested information on the cost of full-day preschool and what tuition would be required to cover program costs. Grants were also discussed as a possible funding source. Information will be sent to families of preschool students regarding programming and the open house date so families can meet the preschool teachers. 
• Kindergarten Sections: Current enrollment numbers as of March 23 are 39 students. Eddyville has 23 students (16 resident and 7 open enrolled), Blakesburg has 8 students (6 resident and 2 open enrolled), and Fremont has 8 students (5 resident and 3 open enrolled). The board discussed class sizes, concerns about overly large classes, open enrollment, capacity at Eddyville Elementary, class size comparisons with surrounding school districts, bus route considerations, and a three-section option with one class at each elementary building, resulting in class sizes of 23, 8, and 8. Eddyville families wanting a smaller class size would have the option to transfer to Blakesburg or Fremont. The board expressed concern that having only kindergarten at Eddyville could cause families in Blakesburg and Fremont to leave to attend other school districts, leading to decreased enrollment and financial losses. The board requested a cost analysis on the average number of students needed in a classroom to cover the cost of a teacher and associated expenses, as well as information on class sizes in surrounding districts. The number of kindergarten sections will be an action item at the next board meeting, with the superintendent recommending two sections.
• SAVE Project Contingency Resources: Ahlers and Cooney were contacted to verify whether the district was limited in how it could spend the remaining contingency resources from the current six-classroom addition and kitchen storage expansion project. In the board resolution, the board resolved that any bond proceeds remaining after completion of this project will be used for other school infrastructure projects as authorized by the School District’s Revenue Purpose Statement. These funds must be spent no later than September 17, 2028. Board members then individually ranked projects from 1 to 8, with 1 being the highest priority and 8 being the lowest priority, on the following projects: wrestling room expansion; concrete parking near the six-classroom addition; paving of the student parking lot at the Jr./Sr. High; additional classroom cupboards at the Jr./Sr. High; snow and ice guards with gutter replacement on the Eddyville Elementary gym; new board office windows; replacement of the gym floor at Fremont Elementary; and carpet at Eddyville Elementary. Average ranking results were as follows:

1. Snow and ice guards with gutter replacement on the Eddyville Elementary gym – 2.29
2. Eddyville Elementary carpet – 3.00
3. Wrestling room expansion – 3.29
4. Concrete parking near the six-classroom addition – 3.86
5. Additional classroom cupboards at the Jr./Sr. High – 4.57
6. New board office windows – 6.14
7. Paving the student parking lot at the Jr./Sr. High – 6.43
8. Replacement of the gym floor at Fremont Elementary – 6.43

• Focus Group: The focus group will consist of 13 members. Each board member will identify one representative from their district, and each building administrator will select one representative from their building. Board members Glenn and Lobberecht volunteered to serve on the group. The focus group will discuss fiscal challenges, class size, and cost per student. The group members will be approved at the April board meeting.
• Nutrition – FSMC: It is time to renew the agreement with the current food service management company. The program is currently operating at a deficit, and the district needs to explore ways to increase participation. There was discussion regarding not renewing the contract and bringing the program back under district management.
• Building Transfer Requests: At the last board meeting, the Board reviewed building transfer requests. Five requests were approved and two were declined.
• Contracting Mowing and Snow Removal: Board members discussed whether contracting mowing and snow removal services is necessary or if current staff could handle these responsibilities. These services are currently contracted to ensure all buildings are properly maintained year-round. Superintendent Williamson indicated that the current groundskeeper does not have sufficient time to maintain all four campuses. Snow removal is outsourced for similar reasons, as the district does not have the staff or equipment to service all campuses and ensure parking lots are cleared in time for school following a winter storm.

Adjournment: Glenn moved, and Lobberecht seconded, to adjourn the board work session. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m.

 

 

______________________________                                                             ______________________________               

Thomas Judy                                                                                                        Mary McCrea
Board President                                                                                                   Board Secretary