BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NORTH LINN COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Regular Meeting 6:00 PM
North Linn District Office
3033 Lynx Drive
Troy Mills, IA
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
100: Call to Order and Determination of a Quorum
President, Matthew Hoover, called the regular meeting to order at 6:01PM. Present were Directors R Benesch, Carson, Krogmann, Michael, Price & Zumbach, Superintendent Schott, Elementary Principal Helmke, Secondary Principal Stoll and Secretary Peyton. Present in the audience were Brian Wheatley and Patrick Davis & Chris Lee with Denovo.
200: Adoption of the Agenda
It was moved by R Benesch, seconded by Price to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion carried 7-0.
300: Consent Agenda
Secretary Peyton presented the financial reports, reported the balances for each fund as certified on the CAR, shared historical information related to solvency, annual revenues and expenses, enrollment data, new money and annual staff salaries as a percentage of total revenues. She also shared estimated Unspent Authorized Budget (UAB) for FY27. It was moved by R Benesch, seconded by Krogmann, approve the following consent items; Minutes of the September board meetings, bills, Secretary’s financial reports, Activity Fund report and Food Service report. Motion carried 7-0.
500: Informational Reports, Discussions, and Presentations
501: Superintendent Report
Superintendent Brendan Schott shared information from the recent SIAC meeting and progress made on the 5-year facilities plan, positive comments received regarding the homecoming parade and coronation and his monthly memo that goes out to staff and parents. He also shared information about an employment law conference he attended recently and gave an update on the completed TAG Plan and Preschool Desk Audit and the upcoming work on the K-12 Desk Audit.
502: Elementary Report
Elementary Administrator, Shanna Helmke, shared information about the academic WIG’s students are setting for themselves focused around reading fluency and comprehension and how she is conducting walkthroughs and providing teachers with feedback, grade level collaboration and reviewing data with the support of GWAEA consultants and the work being done to prepare for student-teacher conferences next week. She also shared she recently had lunch with students who were “caught being a Lynx”!
503: Secondary Report
Middle School/High School Administrator, Kaitlyn Stoll, gave an update on the continued Sharpen the Saw activities happening in the middle & high school during homeroom, shared the great experience had by the secondary students during the PTO walk a thon and that students have completed their first quarter goals and are now working on second quarter goals and the Student Lighthouse Team sent their own goal for creating more student culture, which is a great testament to the excellent leadership within the Student Lighthouse Team.
504: Activities Report
Activities Director, Brian Wheatley, discussed fall activities that are wrapping up, and the winter activities that are underway or will be in the next couple of weeks. He also shared the weight room program continues to be beneficial for students, year-end meetings with fall coaches will take place in the upcoming weeks, 8 students attended the Tri-Rivers leadership conference presented by the IHSAA where they attended sessions about communication, mindfulness & bystander leadership and sportsmanship. He also thanked the custodial staff for all of their efforts preparing for the 2 cross country meets we hosted in October.
505: Board Presentations
Brian Wheatley shared a newly updated coaching evaluation form that is centered around the district’s core values of Leadership, Community, Growth & Accountability. The new evaluation form has the coach set several goals and detail the lead and lag measures for achieving those goals. Evaluations will review the goals and the ways they were or were not achieved, it also includes a summary of survey results taken by student athletes. This new form will also help onboard new coaches.
600: New Business
601: FFA Overnight and Out of State Travel Request
It was moved by R Benesch, seconded by Price to approve the overnight and out of state travel request from the FFA Chapter to attend the National Leadership Convention in Indianapolis October 21st through 23rd. Motion carried 7-0.
602: Approve SIAC Recommendations and Membership
The SIAC committee had an initial meeting on September 30th to review district data and provide input to the District Strategic Operating Plan. Members are Brendan Schott, Tony Bowen, Kate Rawson, Gretchen Aberle, Kyle Kennedy, April Golwitzer, Jonathan Wylie, Greyden Golwitzer, Jennifer Rivers, Kora Pillard, Bonnie Benesh, Sarah Meyer and Jackie Aberle. It was moved by Krogmann, seconded by R Benesch to approve SIAC contributions and membership from the 26-27 SIAC Committee. Motion carried 7-0.
603: Receive Early Separation Plan for Certified Employees
Secretary Peyton reviewed the plan document with the board. It was moved by Price, seconded by R Benesch to approve the Early Separation Plan as presented for Certified Staff. Motion carried 7-0.
604: Receive Fundraiser Requests
It was moved by Krogmann, seconded by Zumbach to approve the fundraiser requests from Lynx Wrestling Club for youth wrestling apparel, Robotics to collect cans in the school building and create and sell 3D items and from FFA to sell MinnTex fruit as presented. Motion carried 7-0.
605: Receive Agreement for Student Teachers from Kirkwood Community College
It was moved by R Benesch, seconded by Michael to approve the Agreement for student teachers from Kirkwood Community College as presented. Motion carried 7-0.
606: First Reading of Policy Recommendations
It was moved by Price, seconded by R Benesch to approve the 1st reading of policy 107 at this meeting and hold a second reading at the next meeting. Motion carried 7-0.
607: Final Reading of Policy Recommendations
It was moved by Price, seconded by R Benesch to approve the second reading of policy updates to policies 701.05, 701.05 R1 and 603.12 and adopt as presented at this meeting. Motion carried 7-0.
608: Open Enrollment Requests
It was moved by Zumbach, seconded by Price to approve the five open enrollment requests out of the district as presented. Motion carried 7-0.
700: Personnel
It was moved by Carson, seconded by R Benesch to approve resignations from Sarah Meyer, MS Volleyball Coach and Trisha Beckman, Food Service Associate and approve hiring Blaine Baumgartner as HS Asst. Boys Wrestling Coach as presented. Motion carried 7-0.
800: Board Communications and Calendar
801: Board Communications
802: Board Calendar
The next regular board meeting will be held on November 18, 2026 at 6:00PM in the District Office.
900: Adjournment
The time being 6:44PM it was moved by R Benesch, seconded by Krogmann to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 7-0.
_______________________________ ______________________________
Kerry Peyton, Board Secretary Matthew Hoover, Board President
