EMMETSBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board Work Session 

Board of Education

January 7, 2029

 

The Board of Education of Emmetsburg Community School District met in a Board Work session on January 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM  in the Central Office Board Room. 

 

Present: Bill Huberty, Kyle Caven, Morgan Grimm, Brian Brown, Bruce Nelson,

                         and Sarah Brugman

Absent:   Val Morton

Also Present:  Cory Jenness, Alyssa Enderson, Kari Menefee

 

Kyle Caven, Board President called the work session to order at 5:00 PM. 

 

TEACHING & LEARNING

 

Elementary Building Project: Discussion was held with Denovo and CMBA regarding the status and future planning of the Elementary Building project. 

 

ADDITIONAL ITEMS 

 

Next Board Meeting is January 21st, 2025 at 6:30 AM. 

 

ADJOURNMENT: Work Session concluded at 7:03 PM. 

 

________________________________ ___________________________________

Board President                                      Board Secretary

EMMETSBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Regular Meeting 

Board of Education

July 16, 2025

 

The Board of Education of Emmetsburg Community School District met in a regular session on July 16, 2025 at 6:30 am  in the Central Office Board Room. 

 

Present: Kathy Roethler,  Kyle Caven, Morgan Grimm, Lori Riley, 

                     

Absent:   Val Morton, Bill Huberty, Bruce Nelson

Also Present:  Cory Jenness, Alyssa Enderson, Tracie Christensen, Kari Menefee

 

Kathy Roethler, Proterm Board President called the meeting to order at 6:35 am. 

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion by Grimm to approve the agenda as presented. Seconded by Riley. All voted affirmative. Motion carried. 

 

TEACHING & LEARNING

 

Administrative Reports: Jenness reviewed the Activity Director report. 

 

Board Learning: Presentation on Open Meeting Laws by Superintendent Jenness. 

 

PUBLIC FORUM: No members from the community were present.

 

CONSENT ITEMS: Caven motioned to approve the consent items including:June board minutes, Claims, Concession Construction payment #4, Field Trip requests, and Online Bids for Obsolete Equipment. Seconded by Grimm.  All voted affirmative. Motion carried.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Second Reading Board Policies: Jenness reviewed Board policies 501.1-502.3 that were discussed at the Policy Development Committee meeting. Motion by Grimm to approve second reading. Seconded by Riley.  All voted affirmative. Motion carried.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

First Reading Board Policies: Jenness reviewed board policies  that were discussed at the Policy Development Committee meeting. The second reading will be held at the regular August board meeting.

 

Depositories: Motion by Caven to approve the FY26 Depository Resolution. Seconded by Grimm. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

FY26 Handbooks: Motion by Riley to approve the following FY26 Handbooks: Certified Staff Handbook, Support Staff Handbook, Business Office Procedures Manual, Athletic Policies Handbook, Secondary Handbook, Elementary Handbook, and Title IX Procedures Manual. Seconded by Grimm. Aye- Grimm, Roethler, and Riley. Nays- Caven.  Motion carried. 

 

FY26 Librarian Sharing Agreement: Motion by Caven to approve the FY26 Librarian Sharing Agreement with West Bend-Mallard/Gilmore City Bradgate. Seconded by Grimm. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

RPS Election Resolution: Motion by Caven to approve the RPS Election in March. Seconded by Roethler. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

FY25 Fund Flexibility Transfer Resolution: Motion by Grimm to approve the FY25 Fund Flexibility Transfer Resolution. Seconded by Roethler. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

28E Agreement Spencer YMCA: Motion by Caven to approve the 28E Agreement with Spencer YMCA. Seconded by Riley. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.

 

EMC Insurance Renewal: Motion by Grimm to approve the FY26 EMC Insurance renewal with additional storm protection insurance. Seconded by Roethler. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.

 

FY26 School Fees: Motion by Grimm to approve the FY26 School Fees. Seconded by Riley. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

FY26 Milk/Bread Bids: Motion by Riley to approve the FY26 Milk and Bread bids as presented. Seconded by Caven. All members voted in favor. Motion carried.

 

Personnel: Motion by Riley to approve the following resignations: Kari Kinnetz- Paraeducator, Jen Frederick- Paraeducator, and Julie Bird- Paraeducator; and the following New Hires: Greg Moser- Bus Driver, Dylan Leuer- Custodian, Colvin Jenness- Transfer from JH Track to Head Girls Track, Kole Telford- 7th Grade Asst FB, Head Boys Track, Jessica Biddle- Transfer from Boys Assistant Track to Girls Assistant Track, Dawson Weir- Head 7th Grade Football, Cole Johnson- Transfer to Freshman Football from MS Assistant FB. Seconded by Riley. All members voted in favor. Motion passed. 

 

ADDITIONAL ITEMS 

 

Next Board Meeting is August 20th @ 6:30 AM.

 

Talking Points on Board Agenda Items- 

 

ADJOURNMENT:  Caven motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 am. Seconded by Grimm. All voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

________________________________ ___________________________________

Board President                                       Board Secretary

EMMETSBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Regular Meeting 

Board of Education

July 16, 2025

 

The Board of Education of Emmetsburg Community School District met in a special session on July 16, 2025 at 6:30 am  in the Central Office Board Room. 

 

Present: Kyle Caven, Lori Riley, Morgan Grimm, Kathy Roethler

Absent:   Val Morton, Bruce Nelson, Bill Huberty

Also Present:  Cory Jenness, Alyssa Enderson, Tracie Christensen, Kari Menefee

 

Alyssa Enderson, Board Secretary called the Public Hearing to order at 6:30am. 

 

ProTerm Board President: Nominations were received for a proterm Board President. Riley nominated Kathy Roethler. Kyle Caven seconded the nomination. Grimm made a motion to cease nominations. Seconded by Caven. Riley motioned to approve Kathy Roethler as proterm Board President. Seconded by Caven. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

Public Hearing for Notice of Proposed Issuance of $5,900,000 School Infrastructure Sales, Services, and Use Tax Revenue Bonds: A Public Hearing was held by the Board of Education. No members from the community were present. Motion by Caven to approve the Resolution supporting the proposed issuance of approximately $5,900,000 School Infrastructure Sales, Services, and Use Tax Revenue Bonds. Seconded by Riley. Ayes- Caven, Riley, Roethler, and Grimm.  Nays- None. Motion carried. 

 

ADJOURNMENT:  Grimm motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:35 am. Seconded by Caven. All voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

________________________________ ___________________________________

Board President                                        Board Secretary

EMMETSBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Board Work Session 

Board of Education

September 10, 2025

 

The Board of Education of Emmetsburg Community School District met in a board work session on September 10, 2025 at 5:00 pm  in the Central Office Board Room. 

 

Present: Morgan Grimm, Kathy Roethler, Bill Huberty, Kyle Caven, Lori Riley, 

Bruce Nelson,

Absent:   Val Morton

Also Present:  Cory Jenness, Alyssa Enderson, Tracie Christensen

 

Alyssa Enderson, Board Secretary called the Work Session to order at 5:00 pm. 

 

Bruce Nelson arrived at 5:03 pm.

 

TEACHING & LEARNING

 

Standards Based Grading: Discussion was held on the Standards Based Grading System. 

 

School Bond Referendum: Denovo presented updates on the School Bond Referendum for November 4th. 

 

ADJOURNMENT:  Nelson motioned to adjourn the meeting at 6:52 pm. Seconded by Caven. All voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

________________________________ ___________________________________

Board President Board Secretary

EMMETSBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Regular Meeting 

Board of Education

September 17, 2025

 

The Board of Education of Emmetsburg Community School District met in a regular session on September 17, 2025 at 6:30 am  in the Central Office Board Room. 

 

Present: Val Morton, Bill Huberty, Kathy Roethler,  Kyle Caven, Morgan Grimm, Lori Riley,

                         and Bruce Nelson

Absent:  

Also Present:  Cory Jenness, Alyssa Enderson, Tracie Christensen, Tyler Bjustrom, Kari Menefee

 

Val Morton, Board President called the meeting to order at 6:30 am. 

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion by Huberty to approve the agenda as presented. Seconded by Nelson. All voted affirmative. Motion carried. 

 

TEACHING & LEARNING

 

Administrative Reports: Building Principals shared their monthly reports. Superintendent Jenness presented the Activity report. Student Board Member Danica Ringlaben presented the Student Board report.

 

Board Learning: None

 

PUBLIC FORUM: No members from the community were present.

 

CONSENT ITEMS: Huberty motioned to approve the consent items including: August board minutes, Claims, Board Reports, and Donations. Seconded by Nelson.  All voted affirmative. Motion carried.

 

OLD BUSINESS- None

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

First Reading Board Policies: Jenness reviewed board policies 502.4-503.3 that were discussed at the Policy Development Committee meeting. The second reading will be held at the regular October board meeting. 

 

Librarian Sharing Agreement: Motion Nelson to approve updated Librarian Sharing Agreement with Gilmore City Bradgate for FY26. Seconded by Caven. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

Special Education Deficit: Motion by Grimm to approve the Special Education Deficit Allowable Growth request in the amount of $474,911.04. Seconded by Riley. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

1969 Mechanical Retrofit project: Discussion was held on the 1969 Mechanical Retrofit project in the High School building. 

 

Personnel: Motion by Roethler to approve the following terminations: Laura Hasbrouck- Paraprofessional, 8th Grade Volleyball Coach, and Prom Sponsor, and the new hire of: Kelly Klaus- 8th Grade Volleyball Coach. Seconded by Nelson All members voted in favor. Motion passed. 

 

Open Enrollment: Motion by Grimm to approve the Open Enrollment requests as presented. Seconded by Riley. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

ADDITIONAL ITEMS 

 

Next Board Meeting is October 15th  @ 6:30 AM.

 

Talking Points on Board Agenda Items- Discussion on Mechanical Retrofit project. 

 

ADJOURNMENT: Huberty motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:17 am. Seconded by Morton. All voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

________________________________ ___________________________________

Board President                                            Board Secretary

EMMETSBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Regular Meeting 

Board of Education

October 15, 2025

 

The Board of Education of Emmetsburg Community School District met in a regular session on October 15, 2025 at 6:30 am  in the Central Office Board Room. 

 

Present: Val Morton, Bill Huberty, Kathy Roethler,  Kyle Caven, Morgan Grimm, Lori Riley,

                         and Bruce Nelson

Absent:  

Also Present:  Cory Jenness, Alyssa Enderson, Tracie Christensen, Tyler Bjustrom, Kari Menefee

 

Val Morton, Board President called the meeting to order at 6:30 am. 

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion by Huberty to approve the agenda as presented. Seconded by Nelson. All voted affirmative. Motion carried. 

 

TEACHING & LEARNING

 

Administrative Reports: Building Principals shared their monthly reports. Superintendent Jenness presented the Activity report. Student Board Member Danica Ringlaben presented the Student Board report.

 

Board Learning: None

 

PUBLIC FORUM: No members from the community were present.

 

CONSENT ITEMS: Huberty motioned to approve the consent items including: September board minutes, Claims, Board Reports, and Donations. Seconded by Morton.  All voted affirmative. Motion carried.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Second Reading Board Policies: Jenness reviewed Board policies 502.4-503.3 that were discussed at the Policy Development Committee meeting. Motion by Riley to approve second reading. Seconded by Grimm.  All voted affirmative. Motion carried.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

First Reading Board Policies: Jenness reviewed board policies 503.4-503.8 that were discussed at the Policy Development Committee meeting. The second reading will be held at the regular November board meeting. 

 

AEA ACH Payment Schedule: Motion Roethler to approve ACH payments to the Prairie Lakes AEA outside of the Board Meeting Schedule for FY26.  Seconded by Nelson. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

ELL Excess Costs: Motion by Nelson to approve the ELL Excess costs in the amount of $6,613.53. Seconded by Grimm. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

FY26 Master Contract Revisions: Motion by Nelson to approve the FY26 Master Contract with the removal of the Athletic Director Stipends from Schedule B. Seconded by Riley. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

Early Retirement Policy: Motion by Grimm to waive the second reading of the Early Retirement Board Policy. Seconded by Nelson. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. Motion by Riley to approve the Early Retirement Plan as presented. Seconded by Huberty. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

Personnel: Motion by Caven to approve the following terminations: Justin Burns- Full Time Substitute Teacher; resignations- Faith Biddle- Paraeducator as of December 19th; and the new hires of: Kyle Rouse- 7th Boys Basketball Coach, and Abbie Schany 8th Volleyball Co Coach and Volunteer Coach Anika Stearns- Wrestling. Seconded by Nelson. All members voted in favor. Motion passed. 

 

Open Enrollment: Motion by Roethler to approve the Open Enrollment requests as presented. Seconded by Huberty. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

ADDITIONAL ITEMS 

 

Next Board Meeting is November 19th  @ 6:30 AM.

 

Talking Points on Board Agenda Items- Discussion was held on available coaching positions.

 

ADJOURNMENT: Riley motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:08 am. Seconded by Huberty. All voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

________________________________ ___________________________________

Board President Board Secretary

EMMETSBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Regular/Organizational Meeting 

Board of Education

November 19, 2025

 

The Board of Education of Emmetsburg Community School District met in a regular session on November 19, 2025 at 6:30 am  in the Central Office Board Room. 

 

Present: Val Morton, Bill Huberty, Kathy Roethler,  Kyle Caven, Morgan Grimm, Lori Riley,

                         Bruce Nelson, Sarah Brugman, and Brian Brown

Absent:  

Also Present:  Cory Jenness, Alyssa Enderson, Tracie Christensen, Tyler Bjustrom, Kari Menefee

 

Val Morton, Board President called the meeting to order at 6:30 am. 

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion by Grimm to approve the agenda with the addition of the student board report and 1969 Mechanical retrofit. Seconded by Huberty. All voted affirmative. Motion carried. 

 

TEACHING & LEARNING

 

Administrative Reports: Building Principals shared their monthly reports. Activity Director Dan Hewitt presented the Activity report. Student Board Member Danica Ringlaben presented the Student Board report.

 

Board Learning: None

 

PUBLIC FORUM: HS Cheer Coaches Jenna Garrelts and Chelsea Strohman presented State Send off requirements from the Athletic Policies Handbook with the School Board. 

 

CONSENT ITEMS: Huberty motioned to approve the consent items including: October board minutes, Claims, Board Reports, and Donations. Seconded by Caven.  All voted affirmative. Motion carried.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Second Reading Board Policies: Jenness reviewed Board policies 503.4-503.8 that were discussed at the Policy Development Committee meeting. Motion by Roethler to approve second reading. Seconded by Nelson.  All voted affirmative. Motion carried.

 

ADJOURNMENT OF RETIRING BOARD: Motion by Grimm to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 AM. Seconded by Riley.  Motion carried. 

 

ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

 

Board Secretary Enderson called the Organizational meeting to order at 7:31 AM.

 

The oath of office was administered to new board members Brian Brown, Sarah Brugman, and Bruce Nelson by Board Secretary Enderson.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Enderson called for nominations of Board President. Nelson nominated Kyle Caven. Morton nominated Morgan Grimm.  Huberty moved to cease nominations.  Grimm seconded. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. Ballots were distributed. Caven was appointed by a 5-2 vote. Kyle Caven was given the oath of office.

 

Board President Caven called for nominations for Board Vice President. Morton nominated Morgan Grimm. Caven nominated Bruce Nelson. Grimm moved to cease nominations. Brugman seconded. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. Ballots were distributed. Morgan Grimm was appointed by a 4-3 vote. Morgan Grimm was given the oath of office. 

 

Caven called for nominations of Board Treasurer. Morton nominated Alyssa Enderson. Seconded by Grimm. Morton called for nominations to cease and Grimm seconded the motion. All voted in favor. Motion carried. Enderson was given the oath of office. 

 

Time/Date/Place for Monthly Meetings:  The time and date of the regular monthly meeting was set for the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 am in the Central Office Board Room. Nelson moved to set the meetings as noted and Caven seconded. Ayes- Nelson, Caven, Grimm, Brown, Huberty. Nays- Morton, Brugman. Motion carried.

 

Appointments/Committees: The committees and appointments were set as follows:

Negotiations/Finance-Huberty, Caven

Facilities/Transportation-Grimm, Nelson, Morton

Education/Policy Development-Grimm, Brown, Brugman

Grimm motioned to approve the committees as presented. Seconded by Nelson. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

Legal Counsel: Motion by Morton to approve Steve Avery as the district’s legal counsel for FY26. Seconded by Brown. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

 

Local Publisher: Motion by Grimm to approve the Reporter Democrat as the district’s local publisher. Seconded by Brugman. All voted in favor. Motion carried.

 

First Reading Board Policies: Jenness reviewed board policies 504.1-505.7 that were discussed at the Policy Development Committee meeting. The second reading will be held at the regular December board meeting.

 

Early Retirement Policy: Motion by Morton to approve the Early Retirement policy with changes as presented.  Seconded by Nelson. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

1969 Mechanical Retrofit Project: Motion by Huberty to approve the Mechanical retrofit bid from EDA for an estimated cost of $850,000. Seconded by Grimm. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

District Developed Service Delivery Plan: Motion by Brugman to approve the DDSDP as presented. Seconded by Brown. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

District 1 Board of Director- PLAEA: Motion by Brugman to vote for Susan Brown as District 1 Board member for Prairie Lakes AEA. Seconded by Nelson. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

Personnel: Motion by Huberty to approve the following resignation: Dawson Weir- paraeducator; the following termination: Krystee Majeres- paraeducator; and the following hires: Annabelle Fank- MS paraeducator, Hadlee Trembly- paraeducator, Ashley Bonner- Assistant Track Coach, Ben Thomsen- 8th Grade Boys Basketball, Abbie Schany- 8th Grade Girls Basketball, Tyler Bjustrom- Boys/Girls Volunteer Wrestling Coach. Seconded by Brown. All members voted in favor. Motion passed. 

 

Open Enrollment: Motion by Grimm to approve the Open Enrollment requests as presented. Seconded by Brown. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

ADDITIONAL ITEMS 

 

Next Board Meeting is December 17, 2025 at 6:30 AM

 

Talking Points on Board Agenda Items- None

 

ADJOURNMENT: Huberty motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 am. Seconded by Brown. All voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

________________________________ ___________________________________

Board President                                         Board Secretary

EMMETSBURG COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Regular Meeting 

Board of Education

December 16, 2025

 

The Board of Education of Emmetsburg Community School District met in a regular session on December 16, 2025 at 6:30 am  in the Central Office Board Room. 

 

Present: Bill Huberty, Kyle Caven, Morgan Grimm, Brian Brown, Bruce Nelson,

                         and Sarah Brugman

Absent:   Val Morton

Also Present:  Cory Jenness, Alyssa Enderson, Tracie Christensen, Tyler Bjustrom, Kari Menefee

 

Kyle Caven, Board President called the meeting to order at 6:30 am. 

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion by Huberty to approve the agenda as presented. Seconded by Nelson. All voted affirmative. Motion carried. 

 

PUBLIC FORUM: Matt Chizek, Brett Hansen

 

TEACHING & LEARNING

 

Administrative Reports: Building Principals shared a few points on the happenings in their buildings for the Month of December. 

 

Board Learning: None

 

CONSENT ITEMS: Grimm motioned to approve the consent items including: November board minutes, Claims, Board Reports, and Donations. Seconded by Huberty.  All voted affirmative. Motion carried.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

Second Reading Board Policies: Jenness reviewed Board policies 504.1-505.7 that were discussed at the Policy Development Committee meeting. Motion by Nelson to approve second reading. Seconded by Brugman.  All voted affirmative. Motion carried.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

First Reading Board Policies: Jenness reviewed board policies 505.9-506.4 that were discussed at the Policy Development Committee meeting. The second reading will be held at the regular January board meeting. 

 

Palo Alto County Gaming Mini Grant: Motion Grimm to approve the PACGG Mini Grant for Preschool Playground equipment from Gopher not to exceed $5,000.00. Seconded by Brugman. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

SBRC Application: Motion by Nelson to approve the SBRC Application in the amount of $1,694.00. Seconded by Brown. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

At Risk/Drop Out Plan: Motion by Huberty to approve the At Risk/Drop Out Plan as presented. Seconded by Grimm. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

MSA Application: Motion by Caven to approve the MSA Application in the amount of $235,956.00. Seconded by Brugman. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

Intercom System Bids: Motion by Huberty to approve the Intercom System bid with Thompson Solutions in the amount of $173,802.93. Seconded by Brown. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

Early Graduation Requests: Motion by Nelson to approve the Early Graduation Requests as presented with the contingency on meeting Graduation requirements. Seconded by Brown. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

Personnel: Motion by Grimm to approve the following new hires of: Hailey Ebel- Paraprofessional at West, Kylee Ballesteros- Paraprofessional at West, and Reagan Swanson- 7th Grade Girls Basketball Coach. Seconded by Nelson. All members voted in favor. Motion passed. 

 

Open Enrollment: Motion by Huberty to approve the Open Enrollment requests as presented. Seconded by Nelson. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

ADDITIONAL ITEMS 

 

Next Board Meeting is January 21st, 2025 at 6:30 AM. 

 

Board Work Session is January 7th at 5:00 PM. 

 

Talking Points on Board Agenda Items- Caven thanked Mr. Jenness for his work in negotiating the price on the Intercom system bids. Brugman asked questions regarding the Board reports. Board members discussed public forum comments. Caven asked questions regarding the agenda for the Board work session. 

 

ADJOURNMENT: Huberty motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:27 am. Seconded by Grimm. All voted in favor. Motion carried. 

 

________________________________ ___________________________________

Board President                                         Board Secretary