Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Community School District
Regular Board Meeting Minutes
March 24, 2025
The Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Community School District Board of Directors met at the District Office on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. for a regular board meeting. Visitors in attendance: Ann Ohms, Jeff & Alexis Middlesworth, Mike Roe, Ashleigh Sammons, Sheryl Leydens and others not signed in.
Call to Order:
President Houk called the meeting of the EBF Board of Directors to order at 6:00 p.m. Roll call: Ed Glenn, present; Eric Klyn, present; Brianne Batterson, absent; Micah Van Mersbergen, present; Tom Judy, present; Tyrone Lobberecht, present; and Curt Houk, present. Quorum established. Batterson arrived at 6:01 p.m.
Public Hearing – Proposed Property Tax Levy:
President Houk opened the first public hearing at 6:00 p.m.
Superintendent Williamson gave a presentation on the proposed tax levy. Sheryl Leydens asked if this levy was the reason her taxes had increased by over 200% in the last couple of years. Superintendent Williamson stated that the tax rate has remained consistent at around $10.80 since he started in 2020. With no further comments, the public hearing was closed at 6:14 p.m.
Public Hearing – 2025-2026 School Calendar:
President Houk opened the second public hearing at 6:14 p.m.
Superintendent Williamson explained that he had given directives to the administrators regarding the school calendar and asked Ms. Glosser, Curriculum Director, to discuss the details. Since state law does not allow school districts to start before August 23, the first day of school for students will be August 25. The last day of school is tentatively scheduled for May 22, unless there are snow days that need to be made up. There will be 1,108.82 hours of instruction or 171 student days, including parent-teacher conferences. Wednesdays will consistently be early release at 2:15 p.m., except during parent-teacher conference weeks. With no further public comments, the public hearing was closed at 6:21 p.m.
Public Forum:
No one spoke.
Correspondence:
None
Approve Agenda:
Van Mersbergen moved, and Batterson seconded, to amend and approve the agenda striking out Action Item 10(g) Proposal for rental of farmland – 9.6 acres (if needed). Motion carried unanimously. Amended agenda approved.
Reports & Presentations:
Jordan Buell, Principal at the Jr/Sr High and Cathy Williamson, Director of Special Services presented their reports to the board. Mr. Buell announced the top 5% of the EBF class of 2025: Kaylee Helm, Garrett Tuller and Kate Shafer. Also noted was that the EBF Jazz Band qualified for the state jazz competition for the 33rd time in 35 years. Other reports submitted but not read were from the curriculum director, elementary principals, childcare director and the food service director.
Consent Items:
Glenn moved, and Van Mersbergen seconded, to approve consent items 8a to 8c(viii): February 17, 2025 minutes, account balances as of February 28, 2025, March 2025 bills list, and school board policies: 700 Series - 718 to 730, 800 Series excluding 805 - 800 to 818, 900 Series - 900 to 916, Policy where Gender Identity must be removed - Policies: 105, 106, 108, 109, 110, 304, 312, 401, 413, 500, 528, 529A, 529B, 529C, 600, 612 & 633, First Reading of Purchasing - Bidding – 712, First Reading of Revised Fixed Assets Management System – 731, First Reading of Revised Award of Construction Contracts – 805 and the Second Reading of Treasurer’s Annual Report – 716. Motion carried unanimously.
Personnel:
Judy moved, and Batterson seconded, to approve the hires of Bret Whitehall, Assistant Football Coach, Jason Leffler, Head Boys Basketball Coach, Jarrah Green, Assistant Boys Basketball Coach, Andy Heinle, 9th Grade Boys Basketball Coach, Nathan Smith, Large Group Speech and Avery Roorda, Individual Speech. Motion carried unanimously. Glenn moved and Lobberecht seconded to accept the resignations of Garratt Scharff, Custodian at Eddyville Elementary effective March 10, 2025 and Jane Roberts, Mental Health Counselor at Eddyville Elementary effective at end of 2024-25 School Year. Motion carried unanimously.
Action Items:
- Van Mersbergen moved, and Glenn seconded, to approve the Contract and Agreements numbers 1, 2, 4 & 5: 2025-26 Iowa LGRP Participation Agreement; 2025-26 Hands Up Communication Service Agreement; 2025-26 Great Prairie AEA Service Agreement and 2025-26 Morningside University Education Agreement. Motion carried unanimously.
- Van Mersbergen moved, and Batterson seconded to approve Contract and Agreement number 3: 2025-26 Third Renewal with Opaa! FSMC. A small discussion was held on why the district originally went with the Food Service Management Company and participation rates. Motion carried 4-2, with Glenn, Klyn, Judy and Lobbercht voting yes and Van Mersbergen and Batterson voting no.
- Glenn moved, and Van Mersbergen seconded to bring back to table the motion to select Barr & Company, LLC for the district’s auditor. Motion to untable item carried unanimously. Small discussion. Original motion to approve Barr & Company, LLC failed unanimously.
- Judy moved, and Klyn seconded to approve the 2025-2026 School Calendar, with the understanding that if legislation were to change and allow districts to start school the Tuesday after the Iowa State Fair, that the board would revisit a revised calendar with the new start day of school for students. Motion carried unanimously.
- Glenn moved, and Batterson seconded to approve the transfer of $440.94 from the dormant Thespian account to the Speech account. Motion carried unanimously.
- Judy moved, and Lobberecht seconded to approve the quote and purchase of a new baseball scoreboard in the amount of $15,906.00. Small discussion. Motion carried unanimously.
- Judy moved and Lobberecht seconded to approve the quote and installation of air conditioning units to the Jr/Sr High cafeteria and front gym in the amount of $205,850.00. Small discussion. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussion Items:
Facility Committee members updated board on the facility committee’s last meeting and a board work session was scheduled for Monday, April 14 at the district office. Legislators still have not approved the SSA for the upcoming school year. The board will hold a special board meeting for Monday, April 7th at 6:00 pm at the District Office. The next regular board meeting is Monday, April 21, 2025 at Fremont Elementary, 525 E. Main Street, Fremont. Open Enrollments were viewed by the Board. Open positions are Bus Mechanic, Mental Health Counselor, Regular Route Driver, Daycare Associates and Substitutes for all positions, and Coaching/Supplemental Positions: Assistant Baseball Coach, and 9th Grade Baseball Coach.
Adjournment:
Glenn moved, and Batterson seconded, to adjourn the board meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m.
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Curt Houk
Board President
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Mary McCrea
Board Secretary
