The meeting opened with the FY 2026 amended budget hearing, where Superintendent Chuck Milem discussed a few changes to the capital outlay funds to cover ongoing construction costs for the rest of the fiscal year.
“We talked about it last month, it’s been on public display and the district website for 30 days, and it was published in the newspaper,” he said of the budget, adding that only a few accounts will need amending.
Administrative Reports
Milem reported that construction at the middle school is going well, with most of the casework already installed in the classrooms. He said the updated space looks fantastic, and the casework is identical to the elementary classrooms. The entire wing has been painted other than a few rooms, and the countertops should arrive next week, and crews will just need to finish floor-patching around the casework after that.
For the 7th and 8th grade science lab, they’re getting the room pieced back together after HVAC updates and changing the layout of the space. For the 6th grade lab, the masons just installed a beam in the middle of the room and worked around the doors. “I feel really good about the timeline,” Milem said of the building projects.
He reported that work on the track and field started off great but since it’s weather-based and there’s been lots of rain lately, the project was slowed down. However, they’re still moving along and making positive progress. Resurfacing is already scheduled for July, and striping is scheduled for late July or early August. The project deadline is August 5th, and Milem expects completion before then, saying “it will be a fantastic facility when it’s done.”
Athletic Director Brian Howell noted that the stripers could come in September, if need be, and the district will be ready for track season in the fall.
Board President Jason Norman read thank you cards from recently retired teacher Mrs. Kruthoff, who taught for 34 years, and from employees who recently lost loved ones. “We do appreciate the office reaching out to families during these times,” said Norman.
Committee Reports
Milem reported that the Building & Grounds Committee met on June 4th, and he feels good about where they’re at in the planning process for the next phase of middle school work, which includes gym and cafeteria additions and renovations, a STEM addition and ART renovation, and a media center addition with a new entry.
The committee had a few suggestions from staff, and plans were already updated. Principal Justin Hovey also met with staff regarding minor items such as storage, and the architects responded positively to their suggestions.
Milem said he likes the cohesiveness of the designs, the flow of the space and the connection to the front entry, STEM area, foyer, and gym. The committee’s next meeting is July 8th, where they plan to discuss colors and aesthetics. After that, Milem will call a board facilities meeting for more fine-tuning. He said there’s been lots of good feedback from the board.
He added that Estes Construction is doing cost estimates, with a proposed construction management contract on the agenda as an action item. He added that Estes was within 1% of bids and right on target, and the contract will help them nail down final costs so they can progress and develop a budget to give the district an idea “where things are going to land.”
Consent Agenda
The Consent Agenda with May 18th and June 4th meeting minutes, Building & Grounds Committee meeting minutes, activity accounts, financial reports, bills payable, and purchase orders was approved as presented, as was the Personnel Consent Agenda:
Employment
- Aaliyah Bailey, Bus Aide, $17.16/hr., effective June 1, 2026.
- Kayleigh Neill, After School Panther Kids, $17.16/hr, effective August 12, 2026.
- Shauna DeBlieck, Elementary Memory Book (Lane A/Year 1), $1,087.00, effective the 2026-2027 school year.
- Jami Burbridge, Elementary Memory Book (Lane A/Year 0), $870.00, effective the 2026-2027 school year.
- Makenzie Glassburn, Elementary Paraprofessional, $17.16/hr., effective August 11, 2026.
- Drew Littrel, Elementary Paraprofessional, $17.16/hr., effective August 11, 2026.
- Cheryl Neumann, Middle School Chorus (Lane C/Year 6), $3,045.00, effective the 2026-2027 school year.
- Cheryl Neumann, Middle School Band (Lane C/Year 6), $3,045.00, effective the 2026-2027 school year.
- Cheryl Neumann, Middle School Academic Bowl (Lane B/Year 6), $2,610.00, effective the 2026-2027 school year.
- Cheryl Neumann, High School Band (Lane H/Year 7), $6,307.00, effective the 2026-2027 school year.
- James Lopez, Summer Student Worker (Bus Barn), $15.00/hr, effective immediately.
- Tiffany Vittori, SIS Manager & Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent, $32.00 per hour, effective the 2026-2027 school year.
- Aubrey Misfeldt, 8th Grade Volleyball Coach, effective the 2026-2027 school year, paid by Prophetstown.
- Karen Sommers-Buck, 6th Grade Girls Basketball Coach (Lane B/Year 6), $4,785.00, effective the 2026-2027 school year,
- McKenzie Winckler, 8th Grade Girls Basketball (Lane F/Year 0), $3,480.00, effective the 2026-2027 school year.
- Baylee Crane, 6th Grade Boys Basketball (Lane F/Year 2), $3,915.00, effective the 2026 2027 school year.
Resignations
- Angie Gabriel, Bus Aide, effective immediately.
- Kate Leihsing, Middle School Chorus, effective immediately.
- Cynthia Slock, Middle School Girls Basketball Coach, effective immediately.
- Zane Romero, F/S Baseball Coach, effective immediately.
Retirements
- Jon Birdsall, Middle School Guidance Counselor, effective at the end of the 2029-2030 school year.
Terminations
- Denise Moore Stablein, Elementary Class II Custodian, effective immediately.
Leave Requests
- Shelby Misfeldt, FMLA request for September 14, 2026 – November 24, 2026.
Action Items
The board approved the following items as presented: the FY 26 Amended Budget, dual enrollment reimbursement for the spring semester, early graduation requests and alternative diploma requests, and payment of essential bills in July since they won’t be meeting until August.
For the upcoming 2026-2027 Middle School projects, the board approved a Construction Management Contract with Estes Construction, who also managed the Elementary School project. Milem said the contract is invaluable for construction management, as they keep the project on time and within the budget, they find solutions and make recommendations while allowing district personnel to make the final choice, and they advocate for the district. They also consolidate billing and keep track of all sub-contractors and certified payroll, so the district will just pay Estes. The company will work off a percentage based on the bids, with some fees based on general requirements. Milem said for now this is a holding place, and they will fine-tune and crunch the numbers later.
Norman said Estes was great last time around and he had no reservations. Milem agreed, saying “if we want it done right, we’ve got to have the experts.”
FOIA requests for “various things” were received from: Employee Research Data LLC, Data Branch USA, Data Branch Research, Sunlight Access, Upgraid Research, and Data Branch Research. Milem said it’s very tedious to work, but all requests were answered.
The next Board of Education meeting will be on Monday, August 24th at 6:30 p.m. at the High School Media Center. Have a great summer!
The Wayne Hein Field on Monday, June 22
