The Vinton-Shellsburg School Board met on May 18, 2026, in the Central Office Board Room. Highlights from the meeting included recognition of a Difference Maker staff member, updates from district administrators, approval of several summer facility improvement projects, and discussion regarding state property tax reform impacts on school funding.

Administrator Reports

The district’s food service department reported receiving approximately $84,760 in federal reimbursement through the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs for April 2026 meal service operations.

Middle School administrators shared updates regarding the completion of the boys and girls track seasons and the upcoming Fine Arts Night, which will showcase band, choir, and student artwork. Staff also highlighted a recent school-wide reward trip to Fun Station in Cedar Rapids following Iowa State Assessments and thanked the Charles and Helen Yundt Foundation for helping cover participation costs. In addition, the middle school leadership team recently completed school improvement planning focused on attendance and literacy and math implementation fidelity.

Elementary principals shared several end-of-year celebrations and transition activities. Students participated in Transition Day and Step-Up Day activities as they prepare for next school year, while incoming kindergarten students attended Kindergarten Roundup. Administrators also reported improvements in attendance communication with families and a decrease in chronic absence notifications compared to last year. Tilford Elementary recently hosted a successful PTO Spring Festival, and students across the district have participated in numerous field trips and experiential learning opportunities. Shellsburg Elementary also introduced a new 5th Grade Graduation Program this year, which received very positive feedback from families and staff.

Superintendent Kyle Koeppen updated the Board on district-wide curriculum alignment work occurring across grade levels and content areas. Staff have continued refining priority standards, learning intentions, and curriculum alignment practices throughout the school year.

Mr. Koeppen also shared that additional discussion will occur regarding the district’s food service contract with Chartwells, with a recommendation expected at the June meeting.

The Board also received information regarding Iowa Senate File 2472 and anticipated reductions to SAVE revenue funding over the coming years. Current projections estimate Vinton-Shellsburg could experience annual SAVE revenue reductions exceeding $417,000 by FY2031, impacting future facility, infrastructure, transportation, and technology projects.

Board Action Items

The Board approved numerous consent agenda items, including contracts and staffing recommendations for the 2026-2027 school year, open enrollment requests, student activity fundraisers, disposal of outdated equipment, and policy updates and revisions.

Summer Facility Improvement Projects

The Board approved several major facility and infrastructure projects scheduled for Summer 2026. These projects include parking lot improvements at the high school and middle school, middle school hallway, cafeteria, and library flooring upgrades, asbestos abatement work tied to renovation projects, HVAC repairs at the middle school, sidewalk improvements at Shellsburg Elementary, and greenhouse upgrades for the agriculture program and FFA.

The Board also approved the purchase and trade of grounds and maintenance equipment intended to improve operational efficiency and employee safety.

Budget Amendment and Audit Approval

The Board held a public hearing and approved the FY2026 budget amendment to address increased costs in instruction, transportation, nutrition services, and facility maintenance projects.

Board members also accepted the district’s FY2025 audit report prepared by Terpstra Hoke & Associates, P.C.

Personnel

The Board approved several personnel items for both the current and upcoming school years.

For the 2025-2026 school year, the Board approved a contract modification for Danielle Phippen to add a PBIS stipend for half of the school year. The district also approved summer maintenance and grounds intern positions for Henry Heims and Connor Bridgewater, along with the addition of Jennie Lee as a substitute teacher.

The Board accepted the resignations of Jason Schuelka, Tilford night custodian, and Marissa Heth, 9th grade head volleyball coach.

For the 2026-2027 school year, the Board approved the hiring of Rebecca Gardemann as elementary instructional coach for Tilford and Shellsburg Elementary schools and Liberty Klees as the four-year-old preschool teacher at Shellsburg Elementary. Support staff hires included Crystal Maresh as media associate at Tilford Elementary and Tracey Sweet as a general education associate at Shellsburg Elementary.

Several staff transfers were also approved. Ryan Williams will transition from maintenance to a half-time route driver and half-time maintenance role, while Robert Wittmer will move from substitute bus driver to special education bus driver. Megan Roudabush will transfer from preschool at Shellsburg Elementary to third grade at Tilford Elementary. Ann Conklin will move from middle school science to a combined high school science and Spanish teaching position. Sheri Miller will transition from third grade at Tilford Elementary to elementary computer science, and Wyatt Samuelson will move from middle school industrial technology to high school industrial technology.

The Board also approved several contract amendments and compensation adjustments for support staff and teacher associates, including reduced contract hours for Janet Lacey and Jessica Moessner. Andrea Jones and several teacher associates who earned ParaEducator certification through the TPRA grant were approved for additional hourly compensation in accordance with district policy.

Activity Fund Transfers

The Board approved resolutions transferring activity account funds to newly established independent nonprofit organizations for Red Cedar Shooters and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes – Vinton Chapter. These transfers will allow the organizations to operate independently as 501(c)(3) organizations while reducing administrative responsibilities for the district.

Upcoming Meeting

The June School Board meeting has been rescheduled from Monday, June 15, to Tuesday, June 16, 2026.