Government : December School Board Meeting Summary 12/15/25

The Vinton-Shellsburg Board of Directors met on December 15th for its regular monthly meeting, highlighting student and staff accomplishments, reviewing instructional and operational updates, and taking action on several important items affecting the future of the district.

Administrators from each building shared updates showcasing student learning, engagement, and community involvement. Shellsburg Elementary reported strong participation in its food drive benefiting the Shellsburg Food Pantry, collecting more than 1,200 food items. Fifth-grade students also participated in Lego League competition, a virtual author visit with Peter Brown, and preparations for the annual ski trip. Tilford Elementary highlighted continued improvements in behavior supports, successful implementation of the CKLA literacy curriculum, and increased home-school partnerships through PTO planning. Middle school and high school updates included academic assessments, music concerts, strong participation in athletics, and professional development focused on chronic absenteeism and early warning systems.

The board approved a series of personnel recommendations, including coaching assignments for Rich Haisman as Head Middle School Boys Basketball Coach, Keegan Thompson as Assistant Varsity Track Coach, Carley Beck as Head Middle School 7th Grade Girls Track Coach, and Austin Roberts as Head Middle School 8th Grade Boys Track Coach. Substitute approvals included Addy Phippen (associate), Crystal Maresh (long-term Tilford Elementary library associate), Liberty Klees (teacher), Jessica Barron (associate), and Marsha Furlong (teacher). The board also acknowledged staff separations, including Jessica Barron, Morgan Dvorak, and Madison Voshell. In addition, Julia Johnson was approved as a volunteer for girls basketball.

Several contracts were approved to support student services and programming. These included inter-agency contracts for special education instructional programming for the 2025–2026 school year with Marion Independent, Cedar Rapids Community, Clayton Ridge, College Community, West Des Moines Community, and Des Moines Independent Community School Districts. The board also approved the Tanager School-Based Therapy contract, funded through the Wellmark mental health grant, to continue providing critical mental health supports for students.

The November 2025 financial report reflected stable district finances. The district’s total book balance at the end of November was $13.45 million, with the General Fund ending the month at $3.86 million. Other major funds remained steady, including the Student Activity Fund at $476,763, the Nutrition Fund at $376,311, SAVE at $4.02 million, and PPEL at $2.95 million. All bank accounts reconciled with no outstanding concerns.

The board also approved a one-time early retirement incentive for the current school year. This voluntary program is designed to support responsible staffing adjustments aligned with enrollment projections, while honoring the service and commitment of long-serving employees. The incentive provides eligible staff with 25% percentage of their base pay and payout of unused eligible leave, allowing the district to plan proactively for future staffing needs in a respectful and strategic manner.

A significant portion of the meeting focused on grade realignment. After reviewing enrollment data, transportation considerations, programming challenges, and feedback from staff and families, the board voted to keep Shellsburg Elementary as a prekindergarten through fifth-grade building. At the same time, the board emphasized the importance of implementing practices that promote instructional equity across the district. These include intentional planning to balance section sizes, avoid “bubble classrooms,” and create more consistent class configurations from year to year. The discussion centered on long-term stability, equity for students across buildings, and responsible use of district resources while honoring the board’s commitment to serving all communities within the district.

The meeting concluded with public comment and appreciation for the ongoing work of staff, students, and community partners. The Board of Directors will continue to monitor enrollment trends and instructional practices as part of its ongoing efforts to ensure high-quality learning environments for all students.