Johnston Community School District
Regular Meeting
05/04/2026 06:00 PM
Johnston District Office
6510 NW 62nd Ave
Johnston, IA 50131
MEETING MINUTES
Attendance
Voting Members
Jennifer Chamberland, Board President
Soneeta Mangra-Dutcher, Board Vice President
Lya Williams, Board Member
Rex Davidson, Board Member
Kaycee Schippers, Board Member
Justin Smith, Board Member
Non-Voting Members
Dr. Nikki Roorda, Superintendent
Jill Van Woerkom, Associate Superintendent
Ryan Eidahl, Chief Financial Officer
Carol Eddy, Executive Director of Instructional Services
Chris Billings, Executive Director of School Leadership
Dr. Nate Zittergruen, Director of Human Resources
Lynn Meadows, Director of Communications/Board Secretary
Beimnet Amanuel, Student Representative
Raleigh Smith, Student Representative
*** Minutes are unapproved until the next board meeting, usually 14 days later. ***
I. Call to Order/Roll Call (6:00 p.m.)
The board meeting was livestreamed. The video can be viewed at:
https://team1sports.com/johnston/?bfplayvid=2522642
The meeting of the Johnston Board of Education was called to order at 6:01 p.m. Six board members were present. Jason Arnold was absent. Also in attendance were Superintendent Dr. Nikki Roorda, Associate Superintendent Jill Van Woerkom, Executive Director of School Leadership Chris Billings, CFO Ryan Eidahl, Executive Director of HR Dr. Nate Zittergruen, Executive Director of Instructional Services Carol Eddy, and Board Secretary Lynn Meadows.
II. Adoption of Agenda
The President of the Board of Directors asked for approval of the agenda.
Motion made by: Soneeta Mangra-Dutcher
Motion seconded by: Kaycee Schippers
Voting results: Unanimously Approved
III. School District Mission, Vision, and Core Values
Raleigh read the school district mission and vision.
IV. Pledge of Allegiance
V. Acknowledgments/Commendations
The board recognized three outstanding teachers and coaches: Cheryl Smith as 2026 National History Day in Iowa Teacher of the Year, Chad Jilek as 2025-2026 MaxPreps National Coach of the Year, and Jessica Dowell as 2025 Iowa History Teacher of the Year.
VI. Public Comments
No one signed up to speak during public comments.
VII. Student Report
Beimnet Amanuel reported on National History Day, weld off, Dragon invite for tennis, soccer update, The Addams Family spring musical and two championships at the Drake Relays. Updates in tennis, golf, track, soccer. Raleigh Smith reported on JHS Student Council blood drive, election cycle, graduation May 26.
VIII. Student Board of Education Recognition
It was the last meeting for our 2025-2026 student representatives, Beimnet Amanuel and Raleigh Smith. They were thanked for their service and presented certificates.
IX. Superintendent's Report
Superintendent Dr. Nikki Roorda reported on achievements around the district, School Board Recognition Month, last day for student representatives, School Principals Day and School Lunch Hero Day, Metro Boards Workshop, Business/Industry Partnership open house, The Addams Family spring musical, top 3% of the Class of 2026, and upcoming events.
A. Strategic Plan Update
B. Other
X. Consent Items
That the Board of Directors approve the Consent Items as presented.
Motion made by: Soneeta Mangra-Dutcher
Motion seconded by: Kaycee Schippers
Voting results: Unanimously Approved
A. Minutes
B. Accounts Payable
C. Donations
D. Contracts
E. Financial Reports
F. Open Enrollment
G. Human Resources
1. HR Employee Attachments
XI. Reports (6:30 p.m.)
A. ELP (15 min.)
Adam Busch and Nikki Paradise-Williams provided an update on the district's ELP/Gifted and Talented program.
B. ESOL (15 min.)
Adam Busch and Melissa Grinstead provided an update on ESOL services. 64 languages spoken, with Spanish #1 and Burmese #2. Newcomer specialist. Progress monitoring growth data: 2.5 to 3.1 speaking, 2.2 to 2.9 writing. JHS highest growth in speaking, Horizon highest growth in writing. Showed writing growth and speaking growth examples. New program in fall, Seidlitz Education LLC, 7 Steps to a Language-Rich Classroom.
C. Ellipsis (15 min.)
Adam Busch provided an update on Ellipsis and the JCSD/Ellipsis educational partnership. All students court ordered. Constant adjustments. QRTP, Qualified Residential Treatment Program 48 total beds boys (including eight NACC Neurodevelopmental and Comorbid Conditions beds) and 8 beds girls. SAL Supervised Apartment Living 8-10 beds boys, 8 beds girls. Total capacity: 64-66 beds.
D. Lawson CIP Report (20 min.)
Dr. Stephanie Ingle, principal of Lawson Elementary School, provided the Continuous Improvement Plan update for Lawson. Outlined progress, and Lawson playground breaks ground June 1.
E. First Reading of Policies 401.12 Employee Cell Phone Use and 501.05 Attendance Center Assignment
Lya gave the first reading of these policies.
F. First Reading of Policies 604.11 Academic Competition and 606.05R1 Student Field Trips and Excursions
Lya and Rex gave the first reading of these policies. On 606.05R1 Student Trips and Excursions, travel plans not 6 months ahead of time, changed to 2 weeks.
XII. Action Items (7:45 p.m.)
A. Approval of Out-of-State Travel to Maryland
Move that the Board approve the out-of-state travel to Maryland for National History Day National Contest from June 14 through June 18, 2026 as presented.
Motion made by: Soneeta Mangra-Dutcher
Motion seconded by: Lya Williams
Voting results: Unanimously Approved
B. Approval of Out-of-State Travel to Washington DC (JHS)
Move that the Board approve the JHS out-of-state travel for the Presidential AI Challenge to Washington, DC from June 7 through June 10, 2026 as presented.
Motion made by: Soneeta Mangra-Dutcher
Motion seconded by: Lya Williams
Voting results: Unanimously Approved
C. Approval of Out-of-State Travel to Washington DC (JMS)
Move that the Board approve the JMS out-of-state travel to Washington, DC from June 7 through June 10, 2026 as presented.
Motion made by: Soneeta Mangra-Dutcher
Motion seconded by: Lya Williams
Voting results: Unanimously Approved
D. Approval of Out-of-State Travel to Nebraska
Move that the Board approve the out-of-state travel by JHS show choir to Gretna, Nebraska on January 16, 2027 as presented.
Motion made by: Lya Williams
Motion seconded by: Soneeta Mangra-Dutcher
Voting results: Unanimously Approved
E. Approval of Out-of-State Travel to Illinois
Move that the Board approve the out-of-state travel request by JHS show choir to Rock Island, Illinois on June 16, 2026 as presented.
Motion made by: Soneeta Mangra-Dutcher
Motion seconded by: Kaycee Schippers
Voting results: Unanimously Approved
F. Approval of Out-of-State Travel to Maryland (JMS)
Move that the Board approve the out-of-state travel by JMS TSA to National Harbor, Maryland from June 21 through June 27, 2026 for JMS TSA as presented.
Motion made by: Lya Williams
Motion seconded by: Kaycee Schippers
Voting results: Unanimously Approved
G. Approval of Out-of-State Travel to Maryland (JHS)
Move that the Board approve the out-of-state travel by JHS TSA to National Harbor, Maryland from June 21 through June 27, 2026 for JHS TSA as presented.
Motion made by: Lya Williams
Motion seconded by: Soneeta Mangra-Dutcher
Voting results: Unanimously Approved
H. Approval of New Club Request - Summit Superstars
Move that the Board approve the new club request, Summit Superstars, as presented.
Motion made by: Soneeta Mangra-Dutcher
Motion seconded by: Kaycee Schippers
Voting results: Unanimously Approved
I. Approval of Teachtown Curriculum
Move that the Board approve the purchase of TeachTown EnCore as presented. Discussion: Reduced cost of materials by 6% but shipping stayed the same.
Motion made by: Justin Smith
Motion seconded by: Soneeta Mangra-Dutcher
Voting results: Unanimously Approved
J. Approval of JHS Anatomy & Physiology Course Realignment
Move that the Board approve the JHS Anatomy & Physiology Course Realignment as presented.
Motion made by: Kaycee Schippers
Motion seconded by: Justin Smith
Voting results: Unanimously Approved
K. Approval of Secondary Math Resource Selection
Move that the Board approve the Amplify 2 year contract and on-site training contract as presented.
Motion made by: Soneeta Mangra-Dutcher
Motion seconded by: Kaycee Schippers
Voting results: Unanimously Approved
L. Approval of Contracts for Administrators and Wages for Non Union Employees
Move that the Board approve the administrators and non-union staff contract information as presented.
Motion made by: Soneeta Mangra-Dutcher
Motion seconded by: Kaycee Schippers
Voting results: Unanimously Approved
M. Approval of 2025-2026 Budget Amendment Hearing
Move the Board approve to publish the proposed budget amendment and to set the date and time of the public hearing for May 18, 2026 at 6:00 P.M.
Motion made by: Soneeta Mangra-Dutcher
Motion seconded by: Kaycee Schippers
Voting results: Unanimously Approved
N. Approval of Policy 605.08 Artificial Intelligence in the Educational Environment and 605.08R1 Artificial Intelligence in the Educational Environment Regulation
Move that the Board approve Policy 605.08 Artificial Intelligence in the Educational Environment and 605.08R1 Artificial Intelligence in the Educational Environment Regulation as presented. Discussion: policy governs district; curriculum review will look at standard apps.
Motion made by: Lya Williams
Motion seconded by: Soneeta Mangra-Dutcher
Voting results: Unanimously Approved
XIII. Board President Report (8:15 p.m.)
Jennifer thanked Dr. Jyll Johnson Miner, admin, student ambassadors and all the partners for business & industry partnership meeting. Naming contest. Last Wednesday, Metro Boards and Superintendent Workshop. Shout out to Urbandale CSD, Southeast Polk and IASB who facilitated. And Summit Putt Putt was so fun; students made phenomenal creations. Thank them for offering community event either $1 or canned good. Board has resumes for high school juniors who applied to be student reps next year.
A. Thank Yous
Raleigh thanked all teachers, specifically Lawson, can't wait for Seniors Come Home on May 20. Thanks to KTC including Josh and Steve. Flexible and enjoyable job. Thank the board for connections, to be selected, thankful. Also thanked peers and friends successes. Thankful as finalist for Schlenker Scholarship and recipient from Dragon Scholarship Fund.
XIV. Board Committee Reports
A. Board Policy Committee
B. SIAC Academics/Postsecondary Subcommittee
Justin reported on committee discussion on dual enrollment (265?), meet with teachers and families. CTE program. One pager on this.
XV. Communication/Correspondence
XVI. Upcoming Meetings/Important Dates (8:30 p.m.)
Highlights of upcoming events: JCSD Staff Appreciation Event 4:30 p.m. May 6, closed session 6 p.m. May 11, regular board meeting 6 p.m. May 18, no school May 25 for Memorial Day holiday, graduation 7 p.m. May 26 at Drake University Knapp Center, last day of school May 29, closed session 6 p.m. June 1, last day for certified staff June 3.
XVII. Motion Meeting Adjourn
The regular meeting of the Johnston Board of Education was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
Motion made by: Lya Williams
Motion seconded by: Kaycee Schippers
Voting results: Unanimously Approved