Jessica Hector, Northeast Hamilton Elementary principal, and William Brock, Webster City Middle School associate principal, were introduced during the board’s meeting.

Hector has served as the Webster City Middle School associate principal for the past three years. Prior to earning her masters in education from the University of Northern Iowa, she taught for seven years in the Southeast Webster Grand/Southeast Valley school district.

Brock comes to the Webster City School District after serving three years at Ankeny South View as the student & building support specialist. He has also served as the dean of students for three years at Edmends Elementary School in Des Moines. Prior to that, he served at Waterloo East High School for two years as an instructional coach. He has also taught at Waterloo West, Waterloo East and Waterloo Central Middle School. He has taught social studies, language arts, government and history. Brock has also coached football, middle school basketball and boys and girls track.

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Lance Baetsle
Will teach general science and biology. He is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa.

The Board also set the rent for the Riverview building at $1,800/month. The Riverview Early Childhood Center is housed in the district building. The Board noted that although utility costs average an additional $6,000 annually, which are not covered by the rent, it recognizes the importance of the child care center to the community.

The Board also re-established a clause in the Riverview contract that if the district asks the business to vacate the premises, it would pay off the balance of a loan from the city at an estimated cost between $25,000 to $30,000.

Appearing before the Board were Rose Messerly, director of Riverview; Webster City Council member Logan Welch, who also serves on the Riverview Board of Directors, and McKinley Bailey, executive director of Building Families.

Board members Richard Stroner and Chuck Bonjour voiced concern that the availability of childcare in Webster City is dependent primarily upon the funding from the city and the school district.

“You can’t rely on only two sources,” said Bonjour, likening it to a structure made of toothpicks which could easy collapse.

Derek Turner
Will teach 4th grade at Sunset Heights Elementary. He is a graduate of Iowa State University.

Stroner suggested that area businesses should be recruited to help sustain childcare options for the community.

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The Board approved the following resignations:

— Lisa Stansfield, fourth grade instructor;

— Beatriz Olmedo, Sunset Heights secretary/paraeducator;

Heather Sanders
Will teach general science, astronomy and applied science at Webster City High School. She is agraduate of the Western Illinois University and ISU.

— Monica Trujillo, eighth grade assistant volleyball coach.

The Board approved the following appointments:

— Heidi Barrick, fourth grade;

— Emily Loughry, mentoring program facilitator;

— Kristin Hammitt, co-cheer coach;

Ashley Price
Will teach 2nd through 4th grade special education. She is agraduate of the University of Northern Iowa.

— Monica Trujillo, co-cheer coach;

— Brandi Martin, Sunset Heights secretary/paraeducator;

— Jordan Moen, Pleasant View paraeducator;

— Stephanie Osthus, Pleasant View paraeducator;

— Chelsey Wagoner, Sunset Heights paraeducator;

Stephanie Pace
Will teach 9th and10th-grade English, and will oversee WCTV, fall play and individual speech. She is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa.

— Laura Fisher, assistant seventh-grade volleyball coach.

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In addition, the Board approved the 28E Agreement with Stratford Community School District, the Webster City CSD Certified Staff Handbook and the Webster City CSD Classified Staff Handbook.

As requested by the Iowa School Board Association, the Board prioritized its four goals for the year. They include focus on mental health, ensuring supplemental aid, establishing school funding policies and eliminating unfunded mandates on school districts.

“We need (federal and/or state) money to do all the things we are being asked to do,” said Superintedent Mandy Ross.

In naming other possible priorities, such as teaching financial literacy, coding instruction, computer literacy and allowing bond issues to pass with a simple majority, At-Large Director Chuck Bonjour said that all those issues need to be addressed, but the Board was only asked to name four.

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Two positions are open for the Webster City School Board election on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Seats currently held by District Two Director Beth Van Diest and Bonjour will be up for election. Filing for the election is from Aug. 20 to Sept. 19.

A question for an increase in PPEL funding is also being drafted for inclusion on the ballot.

Dr. Ross also applauded the new school administrators who met for an administrative retreat at the Northeast Hamilton Elementary Media Center last week.

“I am excited about the new school year, “ Dr. Ross told the Board. “We have a great team put together”.

The Pre-School Parent Night was well attended last week, reported Dr. Ross, with nearly 100 parents attending. Discussion topics also included transportation.

Dr. Ross told the Board she is optimistic about this year’s student enrollment. She noted that while registration has been successful, Oct. 1 is the official date of certified enrollment.

Greta Nelson
Will teach 9th-12th grade vocal music, including Lynx Singers, Purple & Gold and Chordination. She is a graduate of Wartburg College.

Tyler Mosbach
Will teach high school physical education. He is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa.

Madalyn Loring
Will teach 9th-12th grade art. She is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa.

Lauren Johnson
Will be a high schoolcounselor, focusing mainly on 9th and 11th grades. She is a graduate of the Iowa State University.

Kayleigh Epps
Will teach 5th-8th-grade physical education. She is a graduate of Iowa Wesleyan College.

Lynn Ehrenberg
Will be a pre-K through first grade counselor at Pleasant View Elementary. She is a graduate of Central College and holdsa masters from ISU.

Rebecca Blair
Will counsel K through 6th-graders at Northeast Hamilton. She is a graduate of Iowa State University.

Heidi Barrick
Will teach 4th grade at Sunset Heights Elementary. She is agraduate of the University of Northern Iowa.