Minutes of a Regular Meeting of The Board of Directors of the United Community School District February 16, 2026

Minutes of a Regular Meeting of The Board of Directors of the United Community School District February 16, 2026 CALL TO ORDER: The United Community School District Board of Education held a regular board meeting on Monday, February 16, 2026, in the United Community Library. Members present included President Jon Davis, Vice President Lori Weyhrich, Rachael Gross, Ben Hershey, and Kathy Toms. The meeting was called to order by President Davis at 6:00 p.m. Others present were Superintendent Heather Holm, Principal Elyse Brimeyer, Board Secretary Jenn Meinecke, and guests. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Toms moved to approve the agenda as presented. Weyhrich seconded. Motion carried 4-0. PUBLIC COMMENT: There were no requests for public comment. REVIEW OF DISTRICT GOALS: President Davis reviewed the three district goals: (1) Student Learning, (2) School District Culture, (3) Resource Management. ADMISTRATOR REPORTS: The Board received an update from Superintendent Holm on the status of Supplemental State Aid (SSA) for FY27. Legislative action remains incomplete, and the statutory deadline of February 15 to set SSA has passed. Despite the uncertainty, United's estimated increase in state aid for FY27 is $29,133. Principal Brimeyer provided updates on: (1) School Safety: The second lockdown drill will be held tomorrow. Fire and tornado drills are scheduled for next Wednesday. Staff will use the new E3 app attendance feature following last week's evacuation drill; (2) Student Learning: Reading Month continues with the Space theme. "Battle of the Books" events are set for February 2627. Thanks were extended to parent Seth Warburton for book selection and trivia preparation. FAST reading proficiency is 81%; (3) School District Culture: Today's in-service featured Willow Sweeney on positive school culture and climate. STAFF PRESENTATION: Staff members from the Guiding Coalition presented "The UC Home" graphic, providing an overview of how the District's curriculum, instruction, assessment systems, best practices, and professional development initiatives align to support student learning. The presentation highlighted the guaranteed and viable curriculum, core instructional expectations, use of formative and summative assessments to guide decision-making, evidence-based practices embedded throughout the framework, and the professional learning structures that ensure consistent implementation across the District. DISCUSSION/INFORMATION: Review and Discussion of Joint Board Meeting in Ames: The Board reviewed and discussed key takeaways and next steps. Review and Discussion of Employee Relations Committee Recommendations: The Employee Relations Committee members shared key recommendations. Review and Discussion of SIAC Recommendations: The SIAC Committee members shared key recommendations. Review and Discussion of Facilities and Grounds Committee Recommendations: The Facilities and Grounds Committee members shared key recommendations. Review and Discussion of Facilities and Grounds/Tech/Transportation Plans: The facilities and grounds, technology, and transportation plans were shared with the Board. Operational Sharing Positions: Ms. Holm shared the current and possible opportunities for operational sharing for FY27, an incentive to reduce administrative costs and direct more resources to student opportunities. Districts receive the regular program district cost per study multiplied by the FTE for each position toward the maximum 25 FTEs. United currently holds operational sharing agreements for: Superintendent (9 FTEs) - Shared with South Hamilton (30%); HR Manager (4 FTEs) - Shared with Ogden (40%); Transportation Director (4 FTEs) - Shared with South Hamilton (30%); Curriculum Director (2 FTEs) - Shared through the AEA (20%); and Special Education Director (2 FTEs) - Shared through the AEA (20%). Superintendent Evaluation: Ms. Holm reminded the Board that the Superintendent must be evaluated annually. This will be scheduled in March. ACTION ITEMS: Set Public Hearing on the 2026–2027 School Calendar Hershey motioned to approve the public hearing date and time of March 16, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. on the 2026-2027 school calendar. Gross seconded. Motion carried 4-0. Set Public Hearing on Proposed Property Tax Weyhrich motioned to approve the public hearing date and time of March 31, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. for the public hearing on the proposed property tax levy 2026-2027. Toms seconded. Motion carried 4-0. Purchase of Sprayer and Spreader Gross motioned to approve the purchase of the Steel Green SG52 spreader-sprayer for $16,700.00 from Van Wall Equipment. Hershey seconded. Motion carried 4-0. Purchase of Truck and Plow Attachment Gross motioned to approve the purchase of the truck and plow attachment. Hershey seconded. Board members requested additional information and discussion. Toms then moved to refer the item to the Buildings and Grounds Committee for further review and to report back at the March 2026 board meeting. Hershey seconded. Motion carried 4-0. Wellness Board Policy and Regulation - 1st Reading & Rescinds Weyhrich motioned to approve the 1st reading of Policy 507.9, Regulation 507.9-R-(1) and rescind Regulations 507.9-R (2) – 507.9-R (6). Gross seconded. Motion carried 4-0. CONSENT AGENDA: Weyhrich motioned to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Hershey seconded. Motion carried 4-0. Personnel: Approved new hire Dolan Olson – Full-time custodian - $15.00/hr. Open Enrollment Requests: Approved Open Enrolled In 2026-2027: Bryce M Shabazz Jr., K, Boone; Leo Macoy Meyer, TK, Ames; Adalyn Johnson, K, Boone. Open Enrolled Out 2025-2026: Mirela Woline, 5th grade, Ames. 2026-2027: Soren Solomon, K, Ames; Rovan Van Dyke, K, Madrid. Bills: 02162026InvoiceListingSummaryPayablesReport Financials: 01312026 Certified Report FINAL, 01312026 Balance Sheet Report FINAL, 01312026 Cash Flow Report FINAL Meeting Minutes: 01/19/2026 Regular Meeting, 01/19/2026 Work Session Meeting, 02/02/2026 Joint Work Session with Ames CSD, 02/05/2026 Special Board Meeting and Public Hearing ADJOURN There was no further business for consideration. Toms motioned to adjourn the meeting. Gross seconded. The meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m. The meeting documents, and full text of motions, resolutions or policies considered at this meeting are on file in the Board Secretary's Office. /Jenn Meinecke, Secretary. EXEMPT SESSION – NEGOTIATION STRATEGY The United Community School District Board of Education held an exempt session on Monday, February 16, 2026, in the United Community Library. Members present included President Jon Davis, Vice President Lori Weyhrich, Rachael Gross, Ben Hershey, and Kathy Toms. The meeting was called to order by President Davis at 7:31 p.m. Others present were Superintendent Heather Holm and Board Secretary Jenn Meinecke. CLAIMS: ACCESS SYSTEMS LEASING 2193.82 AEA HEARTLAND 27078.65 AHLERS & CONNEY, PC 276.00 AIRFILTERS 468.52 ANDERSON ERICKSON DAIRY 2098.27 BLANKMAN, KALISTA 272.00 BOONE ACE HARDWARE 33.68 BOONE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 500.00 BOONE COUNTY FAMILY MEDICINE 174.00 CARQUEST OF BOONE 209.13 CENTRAL IOWA DISTRIBUTING 1748.00 CLARION DISTRIBUTING LLC 245.00 DONOVAN GROUP 1500.00 DOOR & FENCE STORE INC 96.00 ECOLAB PEST ELIMINATION 157.18 ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING 295.50 FAREWAY STORES 17.80 FORTE STUDIOS 315.00 GAMEONE 61.62 GANNETT IOWA LOCALIQ 514.56 GARBAGE GUYS 595.00 HOGLUND BUS CO INC 854.89 INDEECO 907.84 IOWA SCHOOL BUSINESS OPERATIONS SOLUTIONS LLC 7995.18 IOWA SCHOOL FINANCE INFO SERVICE 414.00 JAYMAR BUSINESS FORMS INC 350.96 MARTIN BROTHERS DISTRIBUTING CO INC 6268.53 MENARDS AMES 296.47 MIDLAND POWER CO-OP 9948.23 OGDEN CSD 27088.02 PRARIE LAKES AREA EDUCATION 1500.00 RIEMAN MUSIC INC 192.43 ROTELLAS ITALIAN BAKERY INC 390.46 ROTO ROOTER SEWER & DRAIN 599.95 RUBY REFRIDGERATION LLC 292.50 SCHOOL NURSE SUPPLY 46.03 SECURE SHRED SOLUTIONS LLC 54.00 STAPLES OIL CO INC 1956.38 TEACHING STRATEGIES 16224.00 VERIZON WIRELESS 93.36 WALSH DOOR & HARDWARE CO 757.25 ZORO TOOLS INC 512.34 TOTAL 115592.55 March 12 2026 LIOW0473633