Stewartville Public Schools — Transcript
Monday, May 11, 2026
High School Student Council Update
Operating Referendum Background and Election Information
Votes (6)
Resolution for Accepting Donations
Dissent: None
Moved by Mr. Geiss [00:01:49] · Seconded by Mr. Wollman [00:01:54]
The board discussed and accepted several generous donations: $500 from the Legion for bikes/bike fair/rodeo, $200 from Walmart South, $300 from Scheels, and $175 from First Farmers for end-of-year bike prizes, plus anonymous donations for an eighth-grade field trip. General appreciation was expressed for the community support benefiting students.
Consider and Adopt the resolution for discontinuance of positions (Community Education)
Dissent: None
Moved by Mr. Welch [00:13:22] · Seconded by Mr. Geiss [00:13:24]
The board considered two separate resolutions for discontinuing positions, primarily due to a restructuring of the management and leadership within community education. Each position was voted on individually, with both resolutions passing unanimously.
Consider and Adopt the resolution for discontinuance of positions (Second Position)
Dissent: None
Moved by Mr. Adenhorse [00:13:58] · Seconded by Mr. Wolman [00:13:59]
This was the second part of the discontinuance of positions. No specific details were provided other than it also being a result of community education restructuring.
Consider and Approve the implementation of district-issued Chromebooks
Dissent: None
Moved by Mr. Rice [00:17:15] · Seconded by Mr. Arndt [00:17:16]
Mr. Conger presented a proposal to transition grades 5-9 from BYOD to mandatory school-issued Chromebooks. Key benefits highlighted were improved classroom management through monitoring software, simplified IT support and updates, enhanced cybersecurity, consistent filtering both in school and at home, and ease of use for standardized testing. The policy will phase out BYOD for upper grades, with current 10th-12th graders retaining their option. Concerns included initial cost increases for Chromebooks and device lifespan, offset by anticipated operational efficiencies and safety improvements.
Consider and Approve to use up to an additional $25,000 of funds from capital outlay for the Diamond Club softball and baseball proposal
Dissent: None
Moved by Mr. Waldman [00:22:04] · Seconded by Mr. Walsh [00:22:15]
The board discussed a request for up to an additional $25,000 in capital outlay for the Diamond Club's softball and baseball project, necessitated by higher-than-anticipated expenses and a June 1st deadline for ordering materials. Board members expressed a desire for the Diamond Club to repay these additional funds, structuring the motion with the expectation of repayment. The project was acknowledged as a safety improvement, and confidence was expressed in the Diamond Club's ongoing fundraising efforts and potential in-kind donations.
Consider Adopt a resolution to limit the enrollment of non-resident school pupils
Dissent: None
Moved by Mr. Roach [00:35:45] · Seconded by Mr. Geist [00:35:46]
The board considered and adopted a resolution to cap the enrollment of non-resident students in specific grade levels, specifically K, 1, 2, 6, 7, and 8. This decision extends existing closures for grades 6-8 and applies the policy to grades 1-2, following their progression from the previously closed K-1 grades. The action ensures that student numbers remain manageable and align with available school sections and resources.
Notable Quotes (5)
So with the change of going to school issued Chromebooks, that would allow the teachers to see every screen in their classroom. To push out certain websites and make sure that the students are staying on task.
And the nice thing is with the Chromebooks is when the student takes that Chromebook home, they're still being filtered as if they were at school site. So as a parent, you don't have to worry about them going to sites that are inappropriate or social media and not having to really worry about that because they're being filtered just like they are at the school.
That's my biggest worry with the BYOD right now is the cybersecurity aspect of it because we're asking kids who who knows what they do when they go home on that laptop. And now they're bringing it down to our network and we have no I mean, we have Article 10 place that can seize things, but still it's we don't know what they're bringing onto the network.
I kind of feel like okay, we made an agreement. Everybody was in agreement on this and now we're trying to renegotiate the agreement and I liken it to I signed a contract at the elevator to sell 5,000 bushels of corn at 450. Minus the basis which is about 50 cents. Well, today new crop corn is at $5. If I go back to the elevator and say I don't want to I don't want to honor that contract, what do you think's going to happen to me? That's my take on it. I have no problem fronting them the money but I think we should get it back.
Basically, at this point, they're they're still pretty positive that they can get to what they anticipated they would get to. Um it was more along the lines of just not going in another year so they can figure out know. Come up with 25,000 more.
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
Formal acceptance of various monetary donations to the school district.
Formal action to discontinue two positions due to community education restructuring.
Financial mechanism for school districts to generate additional revenue via local taxation.
State formula for allocating general education funding to school districts, noted for not keeping pace with inflation.
New state-mandated cost discussed by student council.
Formal action to control student enrollment numbers in specific grade levels.
Existing policy allowing students to use personal devices, proposed for replacement.
District policy related to seizing devices for cybersecurity concerns.
District's insurance policy, potentially impacted by device management changes.
Upcoming financial plan for the next school year, to be presented with a five-year outlook.
Proposed legislative initiative to be on the November ballot, discussed as a factor for referendum timing.