Sergeant Bluff-Luton Regular Board Meeting (04/09/2026)

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

Chris Barondeau - Absent

1. Call to Order

The regular April 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 in the AEA Building, 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

President Wright welcomed the visitors and asked if anyone present wished to address the board.

No written or oral comments were given.

4. Public Hearing for Fiscal Year 2027 Budget

Public comment on Budget Year Statement that the public received from Woodbury County- as required by Iowa Code 24.2A. Mr. Janzen shared the increase in the district levy rate is a result of the special education deficit and the budget guarantee. Community members asked some questions concerning the cash reserve levy and the special education deficit.

5. Approval of minutes from the previous meetings

The minutes of the meetings of March 2026 were reviewed by the board.

Motion made by: Tammy Matthey

Motion seconded by: Lillyan Rodriguez

Voting results: Unanimously Approved

6. Approval of the Secretary’s Monthly Reports

Motion made by: Jason Gehling

Motion seconded by: Lillyan Rodriguez

Voting results: Unanimously Approved

7. Approval of Current Bills

The current bills were reviewed by the board.

Motion made by: Tammy Matthey

Motion seconded by: Jason Gehling

Voting results:

Tammy Matthey: Abstain

Lillyan Rodriguez: Yes

Jeff Wright: Yes

Jason Gehling: Yes

8. Recognition

We had several students participate in many different events at 2025-2026 State Technology Student Association (TSA). Forensics, Technology Problem Solving, Children's Book, Fashion Design, Coding, CAD, Digital Video Production, Video Game Design, Board Game Webmaster, and Tech Bowl. With only 16 students they made quite a showing at State as usual: 1st in Children's Book - Halle Murad, Mya Kleve, Hannah Aman

1st in Board Game - Quincy Timmons, Sara Odell, Kaylee Beyer

1st in Fashion Design - Julianne Rassel and Serenity Connell

3rd in Coding - Brennan Perkins and Jerry Deanda Ramirez

1st in On-Demand Video - Quincy Timmons, Sara Odell, Natalie Delarosa, and Kaylee Beyer

Congratulations to the following girls basketball athletes:

Bre VanDen Top 3rd team all state, 1st team all conference

Izzy Schaap 1st team all conference

Congratulations to the girls basketball team for earning all state academic team award.

Congratulation to the following boys basketball athletes

Kylen Vander Schaff 1st team all conference

Ajay Vander Schaaf 2nd team all conference

Gavin Arendt 2nd team all conference

Recognize Hudson Ter Wee setting a new school indoor track record in the 800 meter run.

Fine Arts Recognization:

Miss Struck and the 2nd Grade Music Class for their wonderful performance on March 13

Mrs. Massey and the HS Show Choir for a great season! Largest group so far.

41 Students participated with 31 Singers and Dancers, 4 in Band, 6 in Stage Crew

3rd place trophy at Hinton (Unisex Division)

2nd place trophies at:

Emmetsburg (Unisex Division)

Heelan (Treble Division)

1st place trophy at Westwood (Treble Division)

Made the finals and earned 5th place Runner-Up overall.

The following individuals were also awarded at the Westwood competition:

Ella Ter Wee received an Outstanding performer award within the show

Quncy Timmons received the Runner-Up in Solo Competition

Mr. Soroka and the MS Show Choir for their great season.

Over 40 singers and dancers

2nd Place Trophy at Sioux Center

3rd Place Trophy at Hinton

Congratulations to Mr. Soroka and the 7th/8th grade choir and Mrs. Hanson and the 7th/8th grade band for earning Excellent Ratings at the Wayne State Middle School Music Festival.

Congratulations to the Individual Soloists and Small Ensembles at Wayne State

Received superior ratings

Sophia Cappetta - Vocal Solo

Ava Ostrem - Flute Solo

Sophia Cappetta - Flute Solo

Bode Bockenstedt - Clarinet Solo

Behak Mullenix - Clarinet Solo

Adrew Philip - Snare Drum Solo

Sophia Cappeta & Ava Ostrem - Flute Duet

Received Excellent Ratings

Savannah Mosememan - Vocal Solo

LeOra Murdock - Vocal Solo

Congratulations to the following 7th graders who tried out and were selected to participate in the High School band next year as 8th graders.

Samantha Anderson

Joshua Fugason

Doveyonna Swanger

Recognize the following students for their Superior Ratings at the State Solo/Ensemble festival at Heelan.

Tyler Guthmiller - Tuba Solo

Brass Quartet with Jace Jorgensen -Trumpet, Blake Dun - Trumpet, Maddox

Reynoldson - Euphonium, Tyler Guthmiller - Tuba

Recognize Girls BB Coach Joe Hardy as he worked with the Dance team to support Claira Britton in both Dance and Basketball. He even encouraged the entire BB team to go and

support Claira at the East Dance Show.

Mr. Beavers as he continues to work with students that need extra support with the summer school program.

9. Administrative Reports

a. Mrs. Adams and Mrs. Konopasek

Mrs. Adams and Mrs. Konopasek gave an overview of the enrollment numbers and preregisteration for the 2026-27 school year. At this time, our registration numbers are ahead of last

year. Special education student numbers were provided. ISASP testing, Spring end of year assessments and K-5th summer camp were discussed.

10. Action Items

a. Resignations

Recommendation to approve the new resignations as presented:

Boeshart-Curry, Candi - High School Wrestling Cheer Coach

Bottjen, Kevin - Middle School Day Custodian - effective 3/29/26.

Verdoorn, Stacy - Middle School Associate - effective 4/10/26

Sorge, Shirley - School Van Driver - effective 3/27/2026

Pope, Kathy - Primary School Cook - Effective 4/10/26

Conway, Dan - High School Associate - Effective 5/31/26

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:

McClendon, Jodi - Middle School Behavior Teacher Step 10 Masters +15 $75,038

Motion made by: Jason Gehling

Motion seconded by: Lillyan Rodriguez

Voting results: Unanimously Approved

c. Approve Worlds of Fun Choir Trip

Motion to approve the High School Choir to Worlds of Fun on May 1st.

Motion made by: Lillyan Rodriguez

Motion seconded by: Tammy Matthey

Voting results: Unanimously Approved

d. Approve Budget Adjustment (Guarantee) Resolution

RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors of SERGEANT BLUFF-LUTON community school district, will levy property taxes for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the regular program budget adjustment as allowed under section 257.14, Code of Iowa.

Motion made by: Tammy Matthey

Motion seconded by: Jason Gehling

Voting results: Unanimously Approved

e. Milk Bids for FY2027

Mr. Janzen provided the two milk bids that were received. Motion to approve the low bid from Kemp's for the FY27 Milk Bid.

Motion made by: Jason Gehling

Motion seconded by: Lillyan Rodriguez

Voting results: Unanimously Approved

f. Bread Bids for FY2027

Mr. Janzen provided the two bread bids that were received. Motion to approve the low bid from Bimbo Bakery for the FY27 Bread Bid.

Motion made by: Jason Gehling

Motion seconded by: Lillyan Rodriguez

Voting results: Unanimously Approved

g. Medicaid Billing Service Agreement

Motion to approve the contract with Relay as presented.

Motion made by: Tammy Matthey

Motion seconded by: Jason Gehling

Voting results: Unanimously Approved

h. Approve weekly cost increase to Little Steps for 2026-2027

Approve an increase of $25/week for infants and $15/week for toddlers/preschoolers for Little Steps Daycare for 2026-2027.

Motion made by: Jason Gehling

Motion seconded by: Lillyan Rodriguez

Voting results: Unanimously Approved

11. Superintendent Report

a. Graduation

Graduation is scheduled for Sunday, May 17th. We are planning to have the ceremony outside as it has been for the last several years. A contingency plan is in place in case of severe weather.

b. 2026-2027 Staffing

Mr. Janzen discussed the new staffing hires and changes for FY2027.

c. Instructional Coaching

Mr. Janzen discussed changes with Instructional Coaching with collaboration among the coaches with support from the AEA.

d. District Liability Insurance

Mr. Janzen discussed the district liability insurance coverage.

e. Community Engagement Team

The Community Engagement Team had a meeting on April 8th, discussing the next bond issue.

f. Fiscal Year 2025 Audit

The FY2025 audit and summary were provided. This will be an action item at the May meeting.

g. Legislation

Mr. Janzen discussed legislation changes now requiring two count days next year. This will most likely result in a need to change the date of the last day of the 1st semester and the teacher

workday on January 2027 on the calendar. We will wait for guidance after the legislative session.

h. Siouxland Workforce Signing Day

Mr. Janzen shared we will be participating in the Siouxland Workforce Signing Day this year with other area schools. This is a Siouxland Chamber event that will be a signing day for those graduates entering the workforce.

i. Background Checks

Superintendent Janzen shared that the district uses 3rd Degree Screening to conduct its background searches. 3rd Degree Screening, Inc. is fully aligned with nationally recognized industry standards through accreditation by the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA). PBSA accreditation is the “gold standard” within the background screening industry and reflects a company’s adherence to rigorous compliance, consumer protection, and data security requirements. The 3DS significantly exceeds Iowa's minimum statutory requirements. Under Iowa Code §279.69, school districts are required to review, at a minimum, Iowa criminal history, the Iowa sex offender registry, and abuse registries. 3DS goes well beyond this baseline. It utilizes an unlimited-scope criminal search, meaning they obtain criminal records as far back as is publicly available and legally reportable under federal, state, and local law. It also searches all known names, including maiden and alias names.

Superintendent Janzen also shared that the district is already using E-Verify in anticipation of legislation passing that requires it.

j. 2026-2027 Calendar Update

Mr. Janzen discussed an upcoming calendar change. This will be board approved at a future meeting.

12. Adjourn

Adjourn at 7:08 a.m.

Motion made by: Lillyan Rodriguez

Motion seconded by: Jason Gehling

Voting results: Unanimously Approved

Board President Board Secretary