Regular Board Meeting – December 17, 2025 – 5:30 p.m. – High School Library, Delhi, Iowa
The regular meeting of the Maquoketa Valley Board of Education was called to order by President Donna Kunde at 5:30 p.m. on December 17, 2025 in the High School Library in Delhi, Iowa. All motions carried unanimously unless otherwise noted.
Board Members Present –Feldmann, Kunde, Overman, Smeins, Zietlow
Board Members Absent –None
Staff Present – Supt. Troy Osterhaus, Tiersa Frasher, Jackie Moorman and Erika Vanderloop
Visitors Present –Mike Putz, Trish Dietiker and Arianna Nolan
Motion was made by Feldmann, seconded by Zietlow to approve the meeting agenda as presented. All ayes. Carried.
In a motion by Zietlow, seconded by Smeins the consent items were approved. All ayes. Carried.
One open enrollment in and one open enrollment out approved in a motion by Overman, seconded by Feldmann. All ayes. Carried.
The following personnel recommendations were approved in a motion by Zietlow, seconded by Overman:
Michaela Saunders – employed as Spring Play Director (.5 FTE)
Ann Cooksley – employed as Spring Play Director (.5 FTE)
All ayes. Carried.
Motion was made by Overman, seconded by Feldmann to approve the 2025-2026 SBRC Application for Increasing Enrollment, Open Enrollment Out and LEP Instruction Beyond Five Years for $161,566. This will allow the district to increase spending authority. A roll call vote was answered as follows: Feldmann, aye; Kunde, aye; Overman, aye; Smeins, aye; Zietlow, aye. Carried.
Motion was made by Feldmann, seconded by Zietlow to approve the 2026-2027 SBRC Modified Allowable Growth for Dropout Prevention. The Board approved the maximum amount allowed by state law which is $204,285. Roll call vote was answered as follows: Feldmann, aye; Kunde, aye; Overman, aye; Smeins, aye; Zietlow, aye. Carried.
Motion was made by Overman, seconded by Feldmann to approve the agreement with Fagen, Friedman & Fulfrost LLP. This will allow the district to use this law firm if necessary. They specialize in social media and cell phone issues. All ayes. Carried.
In a motion by Feldmann, seconded by Overman the Board approved the Iowa State University Clinical Experience Agreement. All ayes. Carried.
Motion was made by Smeins, seconded by Zietlow to approve the 2025-2026 Gifted and Talented Education Program Handbook. All ayes. Carried.
In a motion by Feldmann, seconded by Zietlow the 2025-2026 Voluntary Early Separation Plan of Certified Staff and Classified Staff was approved. The Board approved a separation package of $60,000 for eligible certified employees with 110-120 sick days remaining at the end of FY26 and $50,000 for eligible certified employees with under 110 sick days remaining at the of FY26. Additionally, they approved a separation package of $60,000 for eligible classified employees with 110-120 sick days remaining at the end of FY26 and $50,000 for eligible classified employees with under 110 sick days remaining at the end of FY26. These funds will be paid out in three equal installments into a Health Reimbursement Arrangement account. The first installment will begin in August of 2026. All ayes. Carried.
Supt. Osterhaus presented the board with a brief financial overview of the district. Topics discussed were enrollment, unspent authorized budget, solvency ratio, percent of revenue spent, salaries/benefits ratio and new money information.
Supt. Osterhaus, Erika Vanderloop and Melissa Conner will be attending a budget workshop hosted by Iowa School Finance and Information Services on January 29th at the AEA in Elkader.
FCCLA will be raising money for the Ronald McDonald House by hosting an ugly sweater/hat day in December.
Mike Feldmann and Pam Overman will serve on the December audit committee.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:38 p.m. in a motion by Overman, seconded by Zietlow. All ayes. Carried.
