Sergeant Bluff-Luton Community School District- Board Meeting (09/03/26)

  Mission Statement

In partnership with parents and the community, the SB-L Schools will challenge students to take personal responsibility for their education and to apply their learning to a diverse and changing world.

Attendance

  Voting Members

Tammy Matthey, Board Director

Lillyan Rodriguez, Board Director

Jeff Wright, President

Jason Gehling, Vice President

1.Call to Order

The regular September 2026 meeting of the Sergeant Bluff-Luton Board of Education was called to order by President Jeff Wright at 6:00 a.m.     The meeting was held at the Northwest AEA, in Room 2.

2.Approval of the Agenda Motion made by: Jason Gehling

Motion seconded by: Tammy Matthey

Voting results: Unanimously Approved

3.Welcome Visitors & Guests

4.Approval of minutes from the previous meetings

The minutes of the meetings from August 2026 were reviewed by the board.

Motion made by: Lillyan Rodriguez

Motion seconded by: Tammy Matthey

Voting results: Unanimously Approved

5.Approval of Current Bills Motion made by: Jason Gehling

Motion seconded by: Lillyan Rodriguez

Voting results:

Abstain: Tammy Matthey

Yes: Lillyan Rodriguez

Yes: Jeff Wright

Yes: Jason Gehling

6.Recognition

Jason Klingensmith recognized the High School building, including the students, for being awarded a 2026-27 U.S. News and World Report Best High School Award. 

Brad McCauley recognized the custodians for being flexible in their schedule for the rearrangement in the High School.

Justin Smith recognized the administration members and Ashley Hansen for all the work they do for the football games.

7.Administrative Reports

a.Dr. Brown

Dr. Jill Brown presented the board with a presentation with all the updates that happened in the Middle School.

b.Mr. Klingensmith

Mr. Klingensmith shared a slide presentation with the board in regard to updates in the High School. The high school will continue to work on the Therapeutic Classroom Structures. 

8.Action Items

a.Resignations

Recommendation to approve the new resignations as presented:

Hannah Doll - Middle School Kitchen.

Kenzee Lambertsen - Primary School Daycare. Dana Blockson - Primary School Kitchen.

Motion made by: Tammy Matthey

Motion seconded by: Lillyan Rodriguez

Voting results: Unanimously Approved

b.New contracts

Recommendation to approve the new contracts as presented:

Joanne Jenness - Elementary School Kitchen. Level 7 $18.05 Ashley Jacobson - Middle School Kitchen. Level 6 $17.85.

Francine Stewart - High School Wrestling Cheer Sponsor. Step 1 $2,068.

Motion made by: Jason Gehling

Motion seconded by: Lillyan Rodriguez

Voting results: Unanimously Approved

c.Review of the Early Retirement Policy #407.3

Motion to table the Early Retirement to the October board meeting.

Motion made by: Tammy Matthey

Motion seconded by: Lillyan Rodriguez

Voting results: Unanimously Approved

d.Approve Classified Staff Hourly Retention Pay

Motion to approve classified staff retention pay using the Education Support Personnel Salary Supplement provided by the state to supplement classified pay.

Motion made by: Jason Gehling

Motion seconded by: Lillyan Rodriguez

Voting results: Unanimously Approved

e.2nd Policy Reading Series 100, 414.01R2, 503.05, 505.06, 804.06R1

Motion to approve policy series 100, and policies 414.01R2, 503.05, 505.06, 804.06R1 as presented.

Motion made by: Tammy Matthey

Motion seconded by: Jason Gehling

Voting results: Unanimously Approved

f.1st Reading Series 600

1st Reading of Series 600.  Updates to specific policies have already been approved. Superintendent Janzen specifically reviewed policies related to special education, technology, internet use, class sizes and insufficient classroom space. No action is needed.

g.Northwest AEA and SBL Lease Amended

Northwest AEA revised the lease to reference the new room 600 being used for Sergeant Bluff. The revised lease references room 600 and different lease amount.

Motion made by: Jason Gehling

Motion seconded by: Lillyan Rodriguez

Voting results: Unanimously Approved

h.Consideration of Ahlers & Cooney, P.C. Engagement Letter for Bond Counsel services for 2026 G.O.

School Bond Election

Motion to approve Ahlers and Cooney as the legal counsel for the primary school bond issue.

Motion made by: Lillyan Rodriguez

Motion seconded by: Tammy Matthey

Voting results: Unanimously Approved

9.Superintendent Report

a.Review of the Insufficient Classroom Space Policy #606.06

The board reviewed the Insufficient Classroom Space Policy #606.06. b. Enrollment Update

Mr. Janzen provided updated enrollment numbers from fall count day and shared enrollment projections based on current trends. 

This is the 3rd year in a row, enrollment is down. 

c.November 3, 2026 Bond update

Mr. Janzen provided an update on the November 3 bond issue.  He shared the information from a Siouxland construction company identifying the cost to renovate the existing primary building.  The company was in the primary building last year and did a thorough walkthrough of the building.  The estimate to renovate the existing primary building is $29 million plus $ million to remove asbestos, for a total of $32 million.   In addition to the cost of the renovation, a plan was developed to complete the renovation.  The renovation would take 2.5 years.  In order to do the work while students were in school, 6 portable classrooms would need to be purchased for students.  These portable classrooms would be located in the primary school parking lot.  For example, while the green wing was being renovated, the kindergartners would have to have classes in the portable classrooms.  As each wing was completed, that grade would have to be in the portable classrooms.

d.Future mold remediation costs at the primary building

Superintendent Janzen shared Ductz of Siouxland's report on the mold mitigation at the primary building. Ductz of Siouxland, a Sergeant Bluff company, was hired to investigate the primary school ductwork for mold, after hearing concerns about air quality.  Mold was found in every wing of the building ductwork. Ductz of Siouxland was then hired to clean the duct system.  After cleaning, they reported that the building was safe and reported acceptable air quality.  The report included additional work that could be done to help prevent mold from returning.  The estimate was as high as $250,000.  Mr. Janzen included this was another example of the outdated systems in the primary building and another reason for the need to construct a new primary building.

e.BSN contract

Athletic Director Justin Smith has been working with BSN to have a contract with them for Nike uniforms. He also shared with the Board the contract details.

10.Adjourn

Adjourn at  7:10 A.M.

Motion made by: Jason Gehling

Motion seconded by: Tammy Matthey

Voting results: Unanimously Approved

Board President

Board Secretary