Albia School Board approves changes to preschool calendar, sports complex gift agreement

Board members also approved personnel recommendations, meal price increases, annual appointments, fuel bids, and a three-year contract extension for Superintendent Richard Montgomery.

Transportation, maintenance updates

Transportation Director Lindsey Beinhart told the board the district is well positioned for the upcoming school year after purchasing two quality used buses for the price of one new bus. Seven route buses are now equipped with seat belts, which Beinhart said has improved student behavior. He also reported the district’s suburban and van fleet is in good condition and that a used 12-passenger van is expected to be purchased this year.

Superintendent Montgomery praised Beinhart and transportation staff for their work preparing for the new school year.

Maintenance and Grounds Director Jan Haselhuhn reported that maintenance crews completed extensive summer projects, including painting hallways at Lincoln Center, repainting bleachers at the football field and Kendall Center, updating the greenhouse, installing three new scoreboards, and completing required safety inspections throughout district facilities.

Preschool calendar approved

Following a public hearing with no comments, the board approved an amended 2026-27 preschool calendar. The change includes one Wednesday each month without classes for preschool students.

District officials said the change is intended to prepare for a transition to a four-day-per-week preschool program beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The monthly non-student day will allow teachers time for home visits, Individualized Education Program (IEP) responsibilities, professional development, assessments and other state-required duties while maintaining services for families.

Personnel approved

The board accepted resignations from custodian Bradley Amante and associates Rachael Stevenson, Heather Rupp and Haleigh Moyle.

Contracts were approved for Kailey Wynn as mentor, Tiffany DeMoss as special education behavior interventionist and Blake Bayer as assistant high school football coach.

The board also approved the employment of associates Chyna Stuart, Ericka Ashby, Emma Evans and Don Powless.

Annual business

Board members approved the district’s student handbooks, annual appointments and a fuel bid from Agriland FS.

The board also discussed and approved their legislative prioriteis for the Iowa Association of School Boards. The board approved the same legislative priorities as last year, mental health, teacher recruitment, student achievement and school safety. Members also discussed adding unfunded mandates as a future legislative priority.

The board also approved meal price increases for the 2026-27 school year. Student lunch prices will increase by 10 cents, with kindergarten through sixth-grade lunches rising to $3.30 and grades 7-12 lunches increasing to $3.45. Breakfast prices will also increase by 10 cents to $2.30, while adult meals and breakfasts will increase by 15 cents each to $5.15 and $3.15 respectively Reduced meal prices will remain unchanged with reduced lunch costing 40 cents and reduced breakfast costing 30 cents.

Sponsorships, sports complex approved

The board approved sponsorship agreements with Summers Insurance for advertising on the high school gymnasium floor and football field. The agreement provides $5,000 annually for three years for each location, for a total of $30,000.

Board members also approved a gift agreement accepting ownership of the Monroe County Sports Complex from the county. Montgomery said the county has completed its portion of the transfer process and the district will continue working through remaining issues, including management of the hitting and pitching facility and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. Vice President Jeni Fisher encouraged administrators to ensure the title and abstract are finalized before the transfer is completed in August.

Branding initiative approved

The board voted 5-1 to approve a proposal from Letterman Creative to develop a comprehensive branding and trademark package for the district.

Montgomery said the project will create consistent logos, colors and mascot branding while protecting district trademarks. He noted that Albia Schools currently has no trademark protection, allowing anyone to create and sell district-related designs.

Board member Mark Robinson cast the dissenting vote, citing concerns about the project’s cost. Board member Jenni Beckwith expressed interest in serving on the branding committee.

Superintendent contract extended

The board unanimously approved a three-year extension of Superintendent Montgomery’s contract. His salary for the 2026-27 school year will be $164,000, with compensation for the following two years to be negotiated before each school year.

During board discussion board member Fisher reminded the community about the upcoming Booster Club golf outing fundraiser, and Beckwith congratulated the district’s baseball and softball teams on their successful seasons.