Council Bluffs Community School District, IA

Workshop/Business Meeting

Work Session

Work Session

This work session of the Council Bluffs Community School District board consists of procedural opening items and a single action: a vote to enter closed session to discuss strategy with legal counsel in matters presently in litigation, per Iowa Code 21.5(1)(c). No other substantive business is on the agenda.

• Vote to go into closed session to discuss litigation strategy (Iowa Code 21.5(1)(c))
• Approval of the agenda as presented

Workshop/Business Meeting

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board will decide on legislative priorities for 2027 and update policies to meet legislative requirements. The board is also considering new job descriptions for teachers and coordinators, as well as professional growth systems for staff.

• Renewal of Google Workspace Education Plus for $148,639.50
• Renewal of Edmentum online content provider for $41,800.00
• Creation of an Alternative Secondary Teacher position and job description
• Approval of the MTSS Coordinator job description
• Special education contracts for students placed at Clayton Ridge Community Schools and Iowa Virtual Academy

Workshop/Business Meeting

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board approved the 2026-27 student fee schedule and authorized a $1.7 million interfund loan to cover insurance premiums. The board also approved a contract for virtual reality headsets for Career and Technical Education and modified the interim superintendent's contract.

• Approved Student Fee Schedule for 2026-27
• Authorized $1.7M interfund loan from SAVE to Management Fund
• Approved $47,795 purchase of VR headsets for CTE
• Approved MOU with Green Hills AEA for EC LETRS training
• Modified Interim Superintendent's contract

The Board approved several large contracts for concrete repairs at various schools and authorized a new student fee schedule. Other decisions included increasing substitute rates and approving an interfund loan effective July 1, 2026.

• Approved 2026-27 Student Fee Schedule (7-0)
• Approved SAVE Fund and Management Fund interfund loan (7-0)
• Approved Green Hills AEA MOU for Early Childhood LETRS Training (7-0)
• Approved modification to Interim Superintendent's contract (7-0)
• Approved purchase of 2 ClassVR sets from Avantis Education Inc. for $47,795.00 (7-0)
• Approved Sheard Construction concrete repairs for seven schools for $223,068.75 (7-0)
• Approved Fisher Building Solutions concrete repairs for eight schools for $236,146 (7-0)
• Approved increase in substitute rates for 26-27 (7-0)

Work Session

This work session is largely procedural and includes only one substantive action: a board vote to enter closed session to discuss potential purchase or sale of real estate, citing Iowa Code to avoid premature disclosure affecting property prices. The agenda otherwise consists of routine opening and closing items.

• Board voted unanimously to go into closed session for real estate purchase or sale discussion under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(j)

The board approved the meeting agenda unanimously. It then voted to go into a closed session to discuss real‑estate transactions, as allowed by Iowa Code 21.5(1)(j). No other substantive actions were taken.

• Approved agenda (unanimous)
• Approved motion to enter closed session for real‑estate discussion (unanimous)

Special Meeting - Virtual

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board will vote to appoint an interim superintendent during a special virtual meeting. The agenda includes opening and closing procedural items.

• Appointment of Interim Superintendent of Schools
• Approval of Agenda
• Adjournment

The Board approved the agenda and appointed Chace Ramey as the Interim Superintendent of Schools. The meeting was held virtually and concluded shortly after the appointment.

• Approved meeting agenda (7-0)
• Appointed Chace Ramey as Interim Superintendent of Schools (7-0)

Work Session

The Council Bluffs Community School District board approved the meeting agenda and then voted to go into a closed session to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered, as permitted by Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i). The closed session is intended to protect the individual's reputation.

• Approval of the agenda as presented (motion by Tracy Ozzello, seconded by Patrick Peters)
• Motion to enter a closed session to evaluate an individual's professional competency per Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i) (motion by Angela Griner, seconded by Tracy Ozzello)

The Board approved the meeting agenda and entered into a closed session to evaluate an individual's professional competency. No other substantive actions or decisions were recorded during this session.

• Approved meeting agenda (7-0)
• Approved entry into closed session (7-0)

Special Meeting - Virtual

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board will convene a special virtual meeting to approve the agenda and vote to enter a closed session to discuss the professional competency of a candidate.

• Approval of agenda
• Vote to enter closed session
• Meeting held virtually

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board approved the agenda and voted to enter closed session to evaluate the professional competency of an individual. The meeting concluded with an adjournment at 9:54 PM.

• Approved agenda as presented (7-0)
• Entered closed session for personnel evaluation (7-0)
• Adjourned meeting at 9:54 PM

Regular Business Meeting

The Council Bluffs Community School District board will hold a public hearing and vote on an amended 2025-26 budget that increases spending by $1.26 million for support services and $578,103 for nutrition. The board will also consider approving a $1.2 million grant application over five years for a STEM Innovation High School charter school, a five-year special education consortium agreement with Apex Regional Program, and an IXL contract for special education. Additional items include approving the tentative list of 2026 graduates and receiving an update on bringing substitute teachers back in-house.

• Public hearing and approval of 2025-26 amended budget with $1,258,970 increase for support services (transportation, utilities, maintenance) and $578,103 increase for nutrition services
• Resolution to approve submission of $1.2 million grant application (over 5 years) for the STEM Innovation High School charter school
• Approval of consortium agreement with Apex Regional Program for a specialized day treatment program at Kanesville Learning Center, effective August 2026 through July 2031
• Approval of the tentative lists of 2026 graduates from Abraham Lincoln High School and Thomas Jefferson High School
• Update on bringing substitute teachers back in-house presented by Chief of Elementary Schools Mark Schuldt

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board approved its agenda and the minutes from prior meetings. It then adopted the tentative 2026 graduate list and approved the amended 2025‑26 budget. Several contracts were authorized, including a charter school grant, a special‑education consortium agreement, and purchases for Hoover and Edison elementary playgrounds. The consent agenda items were also approved.

• Approved agenda (Yes: David Coziahr, Lauren Myers, Patrick Peters, Jared Tripp, Angela Griner, Teresa Hardiman, Tracy Ozzello)
• Approved minutes from May 12, 18, and 20 meetings (Yes: David Coziahr, Lauren Myers, Patrick Peters, Jared Tripp, Angela Griner, Teresa Hardiman, Tracy Ozzello)
• Approved the 2025‑26 amended budget (Yes: David Coziahr, Lauren Myers, Patrick Peters, Jared Tripp, Angela Griner, Teresa Hardiman, Tracy Ozzello)
• Approved charter school program grant application for STEM Innovation High School (Yes: David Coziahr, Lauren Myers, Patrick Peters, Jared Tripp, Angela Griner, Teresa Hardiman, Tracy Ozzello)
• Approved special‑education consortium and Apex Regional Program agreement (Yes: David Coziahr, Lauren Myers, Patrick Peters, Jared Tripp, Angela Griner, Teresa Hardiman, Tracy Ozzello)
• Approved Hoover Elementary playground equipment and surface purchase for $244,695.50 (Yes: David Coziahr, Lauren Myers, Patrick Peters, Jared Tripp, Angela Griner, Teresa Hardiman, Tracy Ozzello)
• Approved Edison Elementary play surface purchase for $92,724.00 (Yes: David Coziahr, Lauren Myers, Patrick Peters, Jared Tripp, Angela Griner, Teresa Hardiman, Tracy Ozzello)
• Approved consent agenda items (Yes: David Coziahr, Lauren Myers, Patrick Peters, Jared Tripp, Angela Griner, Teresa Hardiman, Tracy Ozzello)

Special Meeting - Virtual

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board of Directors will convene a special virtual meeting to approve the agenda and vote to enter a closed session to evaluate the professional competency of an individual. The meeting is scheduled for May 22, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

• Approval of agenda
• Vote to enter closed session for personnel evaluation
• Adjournment

Special Meeting - Virtual

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board of Education will convene a special virtual meeting to vote on entering a closed session. The closed session is intended to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered. The meeting is scheduled for May 21, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.

• Vote to enter closed session for professional competency evaluation
• Approval of the meeting agenda
• Special meeting held virtually

Special Meeting - Virtual

This special virtual meeting of the Council Bluffs Community School District Board consists primarily of a vote to enter closed session to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered, per Iowa Code. The only action item is the closed session vote; the rest of the agenda is procedural (call to order, roll call, approval of agenda, adjournment).

• Vote to go into closed session to evaluate professional competency of an individual under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i)

The board approved the meeting agenda unanimously. The board voted to go into closed session to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered. The closed session lasted from 5:04 PM to 5:39 PM before the meeting adjourned.

• Approved agenda (7-0)
• Approved closed session to evaluate staff competency (7-0)

Special Meeting

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board held a special meeting that was primarily procedural. The only substantive action was a vote to enter closed session under Iowa Code to evaluate the professional competency of an individual regarding appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge. The board approved the agenda and adjourned after the closed session.

• Motion to enter closed session under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i) for personnel evaluation
• Approval of the meeting agenda as presented

The Board approved the agenda and voted to enter closed session to evaluate the professional competency of an individual. The meeting returned to open session at 6:54 PM.

• Approved agenda as presented (7-0)
• Entered closed session for personnel evaluation (7-0)
• Adjourned at 6:54 PM

Workshop Meeting

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board is holding a workshop meeting with mostly procedural items. The board will recognize senior students from Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson High Schools who have completed an Iowa Western Community College certificate, diploma, or degree. The meeting includes opening items, public participation, and a superintendent's report.

• Approval of agenda and minutes from April 28, 2026 work session and regular business meeting
• Public participation opportunity with rules outlined
• Recognition of 2025-26 Iowa Western Community College graduates from Abraham Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson High Schools
• Superintendent's Report (no details provided)

The board approved the agenda and minutes from April 28, 2026, and adjourned the workshop meeting at 7:27 PM. No substantive policy decisions were made.

• Approved agenda as presented (6-0)
• Approved April 28, 2026 minutes (6-0)
• Meeting adjourned at 7:27 PM

Regular Business Meeting

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board approved the 2026/2027 certified budget, a 3% wage increase for administrators, and a 3.1% wage increase for the CWA union. The board also approved naming the renovated Thomas Jefferson High School Auditorium after R.H. Fanders.

• Approval of 2026/2027 Certified Budget
• Naming of renovated Thomas Jefferson High School Auditorium after R.H. Fanders
• CWA union agreement 2026-2029 with 3.1% wage increase
• 3% wage increase for Standard employee group '26-27
• 3% wage increase for Administrator employee group '26-27

The Board of Education approved the district’s 2026‑27 certified budget. It also approved a 3% wage increase for both standard and administrator employee groups and named the renovated Thomas Jefferson High School auditorium after R.H. Fanders. All motions passed unanimously.

• Approved 2026‑27 certified budget (unanimous)
• Approved 3% wage increase for Standard employees (unanimous)
• Approved 3% wage increase for Administrator employees (unanimous)
• Approved naming of Thomas Jefferson High School auditorium after R.H. Fanders (unanimous)
• Approved Communications Workers of America (CWA) & Board agreement 2026‑2029 (unanimous)
• Approved MOU amending the CBEA contract (unanimous)
• Approved purchase of Hudl AD package for ALHS and TJHS (unanimous)
• Approved Alpaca Teacher Well Being Survey for 2026‑2027 (unanimous)

Work Session

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board held a work session to approve the agenda and enter a closed session. The closed session was conducted to evaluate the professional competency of an individual regarding appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge.

• Vote to enter closed session per Iowa Code 21.5 (1)(i)

The board unanimously approved the meeting agenda. It then voted to go into closed session to evaluate a personnel matter, also unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:23 PM.

• Approved agenda (7‑0)
• Entered closed session to evaluate professional competency (7‑0)

Workshop Meeting

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board is meeting for a workshop to receive informational presentations. The session includes a review of the 2025-26 District Career and Academic Plan and an update on student support and connection goals.

• Presentation of the District Career and Academic Plan for the 25-26 school year
• Informational presentation on District Strategic Goal 4 regarding student support and connection
• Recognition of March Employees of the Month
• Approval of minutes from March 24 and March 30, 2026 meetings

The Board approved the current meeting agenda and the minutes from several prior meetings. The session included staff recognition and informational presentations regarding district plans.

• Approved meeting agenda (7-0)
• Approved minutes from January 27, 2026 (7-0)

Special Meeting

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board will hold a public hearing to discuss the proposed property tax levy notice for the 2026-27 budget. The meeting includes a presentation by the CFO and allows for public comment, though no action will be taken.

• Public Hearing on Proposed Property Tax Levy Notice
• Presentation by CFO on proposed tax levy notice
• Approval of agenda as presented

The board approved the agenda as presented and held a public hearing regarding a proposed property tax levy notice. No substantive decisions were made regarding the levy itself.

• Approved agenda as presented (7-0)
• Held public hearing on proposed property tax levy notice

Work Session

The Council Bluffs Community School District board will hold a work session to discuss a math camp program and the use of SAVE funds. The meeting will also include an overview of the Champions program.

• Discussion of Math Camp program
• Discussion of SAVE Funds usage
• Overview of Champions program
• Approval of agenda (Motion passed)
• Adjournment

The board held a work session to discuss Math Camp, SAVE Funds, and Champions. No substantive decisions or actions were taken during this meeting beyond the approval of the agenda.

• Approved the agenda (7-0)

Special Meeting

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board is voting to approve a tentative agreement with the Council Bluffs Education Association for the 2026-2027 school year. The deal extends the master contract through 2029, with annual reopeners for salary negotiations. Bargaining sessions were held from January through March, with a tentative agreement reached on March 27th.

• Approval of 2026-2027 agreement with Council Bluffs Education Association, extending master contract through 2029 with annual salary re-openers

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board of Directors approved the 2026-2027 agreement with the Council Bluffs Education Association as presented, voting unanimously. This contract establishes compensation and working conditions for district educators through the end of the academic year. The special meeting concluded without further substantive action.

• Approved 2026-2027 collective bargaining agreement with Council Bluffs Education Association (6-0)

Closed Session

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board held a closed session on March 30, 2026. The Board voted to discuss the purchase or sale of real estate and the professional competency of an individual regarding appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge.

• Vote to enter closed session for real estate discussions per Iowa Code 21.5(1)(j)
• Vote to enter closed session for personnel evaluation per Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i)

The Board approved the meeting agenda and voted to enter a closed session. The closed session was called to discuss real estate transactions and individual professional competency.

• Approved meeting agenda (6-0)
• Entered closed session for real estate discussion (6-0)
• Entered closed session for personnel evaluation (6-0)

Regular Business Meeting

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board decided on several financial and operational matters, including a budget guarantee and technology upgrades. The board also approved the addition of Lewis Central Community School District to the Missouri River Conference for the 2026-2027 school year.

• Awarded $569,492 contract to CDW-G for 5th and 9th grade Chromebooks
• Approved a $541,528 budget guarantee for FY2027 to be covered by the State of Iowa
• Requested $65,236.69 in supplemental spending authority from the SBRC for special education administrative costs
• First reading of policies regarding graduation credit, field trips, early graduation, virtual learning, student expression, and advertising
• Approved the job description for a School-Based Therapy Coordinator

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board approved its regular agenda and minutes, and moved forward with several key actions. It adopted a budget guarantee that will levy property taxes for the 2026-27 fiscal year, approved a $65,236.69 special education spending request, and authorized the purchase of Chromebooks. Additional approvals included job descriptions, a conference realignment, an addendum to the GHAEA MOU, and a public‑works maintenance agreement.

• Agenda approved (motion passed)
• Minutes from March meetings approved (motion passed)
• Budget guarantee approved – property tax levy for FY 2026-27 (motion passed)
• SBRC spending authority request for $65,236.69 approved (motion passed)
• 2026‑27 Chromebooks purchase awarded to CDW‑G (motion passed)
• Job description for School‑Based Therapy Coordinator approved (motion passed)
• Addendum to Green Hills Area Education Agency MOU approved (motion passed)
• Council Bluffs Public Works 5‑year vehicle/equipment maintenance agreement approved (motion passed)

Work Session

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board of Education held a work session to discuss the process for hiring a new superintendent with a search firm. The meeting included standard procedural items and concluded with an adjournment.

• Discussion of hiring process for new superintendent with search firm
• Approval of agenda
• Roll call
• Adjournment

Special Meeting

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board held a special meeting to approve a firm for the superintendent search. The Board also voted to enter a closed session to evaluate the professional competency of an individual.

• Approval of Superintendent Search Firm
• Vote to enter closed session per Iowa Code 21.5 (1)(i)

The Board approved the meeting agenda and a superintendent search firm. Members also voted to enter a closed session to evaluate an individual's professional competency.

• Approved meeting agenda (6-0)
• Approved Superintendent Search Firm (7-0)
• Entered closed session at 5:11 PM (7-0)

Work Session

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board of Directors held a work session to review proposals for a superintendent search. The board voted to enter closed session to discuss litigation strategy and evaluate a potential employee's competency.

• Review of RFPs for Superintendent Search
• Closed session to discuss litigation strategy
• Closed session to evaluate employee competency
• Closed session to discuss real estate purchase or sale

The Board approved the meeting agenda and entered into two separate closed sessions. One closed session addressed legal strategy regarding litigation, while the second covered personnel evaluation and real estate discussions.

• Approved meeting agenda (7-0)
• Entered closed session for legal strategy (7-0)
• Entered closed session for personnel and real estate (7-0)

Workshop Meeting

The Council Bluffs Community School District board held a workshop meeting and approved a tentative settlement agreement in the Richards v. Council Bluffs Community School District litigation. The board also approved minutes from the February 24 meetings and received informational presentations on early childhood student achievement, the UNbelievable Workplace survey results, and a legislative update on education bills in the Iowa Legislature.

• Approval of tentative settlement agreement in Richards v. Council Bluffs Community School District
• Early Childhood Student Achievement update presented by administrator Mandy Sanders
• Informational presentation on UNbelievable Workplace survey results from the Chamber of Commerce
• Legislative update on education-related bills in the Iowa Legislature

The board approved the meeting agenda as presented. It also approved the minutes from the February 24, 2026 meetings. Finally, the board approved the tentative settlement agreement in the Richards v. Council Bluffs Community School District case. All motions passed.

• Approved agenda (motion passed)
• Approved minutes from Feb 24, 2026 meetings (motion passed)
• Approved tentative settlement agreement in Richards case (motion passed)

Closed Session

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board of Directors convened for a closed session on February 24, 2026. The board approved the agenda and voted to enter closed session to discuss the purchase or sale of particular real estate, citing Iowa Code 21.5(1)(j).

• Approved agenda as presented
• Voted to enter closed session to discuss real estate purchase or sale
• Motion passed with unanimous vote

The Board approved the agenda and voted to enter closed session to discuss the purchase or sale of particular real estate. The session lasted 25 minutes before returning to open session.

• Approved agenda as presented (7-0)
• Voted to enter closed session for real estate discussion (7-0)
• Adjourned at 6:26 PM

Regular Business Meeting

The Council Bluffs Community School District Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Green Hills Area Education Agency for the 2026-2027 school year. The board also approved updated policies, including a Compulsory Attendance policy, and approved a new job description for an Early Childhood Specialist.

• Approval of Green Hills Area Education Agency MOU for 2026-2027
• Waive second reading of updated Compulsory Attendance Policy 502
• Approve new Early Childhood Specialist job description
• Approve Quality Pre-Apprenticeship MOU with Heartland Child Development
• Approve policies and administrative regulations for Personnel and Student Activities

The board approved several resolutions unanimously during its February 24, 2026 meeting. Actions include launching a superintendent search, updating Compulsory Attendance Policy 502, and approving a $41,693 high school technology purchase. These decisions update district policy, fund new classroom equipment, and begin the process of finding a new superintendent.

• Approved superintendent search services (7-0)
• Updated Compulsory Attendance Policy 502 (7-0)
• Approved $41,693 high school laptop purchase (7-0)
• Approved elementary science instructional materials (7-0)
• Approved Quality Pre-Apprenticeship MOU for high school students (7-0)
• Approved Green Hills Area Education Agency MOU (7-0)
• Accepted Knights of Columbus donation and January financials (7-0)
• Approved new job description and SBRC hearing exhibits (7-0)

Work Session

The board approved the meeting agenda. It will discuss next steps in the superintendent search. It will also review policies 203, 205, 214, and 219. The session will then adjourn.

The board approved the agenda as presented, with a motion by David Coziahr, seconded by Patrick Peters, and all seven members voting yes. The board then discussed next steps in the superintendent search. They also reviewed policies 203, 205, 214, and 219. No other actions were taken.

• Approved agenda (7-0)