Development News for Council Bluffs, Iowa

New Special Education Consortium Agreement and Lease to Serve Vulnerable Students

The board approved a special education consortium agreement with Apex Regional Program and a contract for them to lease space in the garden level of the Kesville building, which is currently unutilized. This agreement allows multiple districts to pool resources for level three special education placements for students with higher needs that cannot be met within the school. Apex, a current partner, is seeking closer proximity to the metro region. The lease agreement will generate revenue for the district from the unused space and also save transportation costs by reducing the need to transport students to Glenwood. Families will benefit from better access to staff and support providers in Council Bluffs [cite: 788-830].

Council Community Schools Approves Amended Budget Without Tax Increases

The Council Community Schools board reviewed and approved the amended budget for the current year. The amendment was necessary because expenditures in three areas—total support services, non-instructional programs, and other expenditures—were anticipated to exceed the initially published budget. Increases in total support services were attributed to higher transportation, utilities, and facility maintenance costs. Non-instructional program costs rose due to increased food and nutrition costs, along with higher wages supported by education support personnel funds. Other expenditures saw an increase due to the timing of construction project expenses, with some anticipated last year rolling into the current year, particularly for the TJ auditorium costs. The amendment will not result in any tax increases for residents [cite: 6-10, 16-44, 705-708].

Board Approves Second Reading of Policies on Policy Development and Superintendent Role

The board approved the second reading of three policies: Policy 223 (Board of Directors Policy Development and Review), Policy 224 (Policy Adoption), and Policy 301 (Superintendent). These policies establish procedures for how the board develops, reviews, and adopts policies, and outlines the role of the superintendent [cite: 1025-1031].

District to Apply for $1.2 Million STEM High School Grant, Potential Fall 2028 Opening

The board approved the submission of a grant application for the STEM Innovation High School through the Iowa Charter School Program. This federal grant, administered by the state, could provide up to $1.2 million over five years, with approximately $240,000 annually for curriculum development, planning, instructional design, supplies, and personnel hiring. Approval of the application will allow the district to pursue this funding. However, the school's opening date might be delayed from Fall 2027 to Fall 2028 due to the yet-to-be-determined location for the STEM high school. The grant funds would support planning years and subsequent development. The application requires a signature from the 'charter school principal,' which in this case will be the Board President, Mr. Trip, as it is a school board-sponsored charter [cite: 721-777].