Nearly 60 residents attended the Webster City Community School District Board of Education meeting Monday night, with a dozen speaking during the opening public forum.

Several who spoke were concerned decisions were being made regarding the elementary classrooms, and transporting students to the Northeast Hamilton school.

During the evening a lot of information was presented, on class sizes, on goals and discussions that are still ongoing.

During the public forum, those speaking can only comment, and the board members cannot answer any questions, but according to President Dave Stoakes, several wanted their questions answered.

“All your questions are going to be answered,” said Stoakes while listening to comments from the community, after several individuals had questions.

Stoakes was speaking about the presentations, which were done by Superintendent Matt Berninghaus later in the agenda, reporting on the enrollment and classroom plans.

Also on the agenda was the public hearing for the 2026-27 budget. There were no questions or comments during the hearing.

Stoakes thanked the individuals who attended.

“It shows you care,” he said.

He urged attendees to stay to listen to the reports that were to be presented.

As part of the superintendent’s report, Berninghaus explained the considerations and discussions they are having with the teachers and staff on the benefits of grade alignment. In a PowerPoint presentation to the board, and to those attending the meeting, he highlighted the benefits of grade alignment in trying to address instructional consistency, teacher collaboration, balancing class sizes and improving access to student supports.

Additionally he reported on current numbers of students who are attending the various classrooms.

The current enrollment shows that there are 155 students currently enrolled in classes in Blairsburg, 125 are from the Webster City area. Eighty-one percent of the elementary students travel outside their local attendance area.

Currently the grades taught in the various schools are split up like this: Pleasant View Elementary has TK-1, Sunset Heights Elementary has grades 2-4, NEH Elementary has K-6, and the middle school has grades 5-8.

Looking ahead to the next school year, they expect the following shifts in the classrooms:

The 2026-2027 elementary enrollment is anticipated to be this:

Kindergarten, 125 students, needing six sections, and averaging 20.8 students per class.

First grade: 137 students, needing seven sections, averaging 19.6 students per class.

Second grade: 108 students, needing six sections, averaging 18 students per class.

Third grade: 112 students, needing six sections, averaging 18.7 students per class.

Fourth grade: 134 students, needing six sections, with 22.3 students per class.

Fifth grade: 131 students, needing six sections, with 21.8 students per class.

Sixth grade: 128 students, needing six sections, with 21.3 students per class.

The goal for the kindergarten and first-grade classrooms are to have 20 to 23 students in each room. From second grade through sixth grade that number increases slightly to 22 to 25 students in each classroom.

In other reports, Stoakes said the audit was good, and he noted that they should be paying off the general obligation bond early, saving the taxpayers $312,000 in interest.

“The Webster City property tax asking saw no increase, and Webster City residents will see it reduced when the general obligation bond is paid off,” he said.

Each of the board members made comments for the public, pledging their best effort to represent the community at large.

“I think we got a lot of information out to the people,” Stoakes said reflecting on the Tuesday meeting. “But over the next six months, we will be reaching out, looking for input.”

Stoakes said he is looking into doing open public information meetings at each of the community locations, so there can be more free dialogue.

Open meeting laws are being investigated to assure that those meetings are handled correctly.

“We are one district and working to do what is best for all students and all parents and all taxpayers.” Stoakes said. “The board has agreed that no changes are forthcoming for the 2026-2027 school year.”

The power point presentations, and other documents presented during the school board meeting are available to review at www.wcschools.org/school-board, then click on the school board meetings and minutes. The agenda shows a paperclip indicating there is an attachment to view.