Montezuma Board of Education canvases election votes

MONTEZUMA — Superintendent of Montezuma Community School District Rich Schulte shared some good news items taking place in the district during the Montezuma school board meeting Nov. 19.

Allison Pargeon was named a Regional Teacher of the Year, said Schulte. Pargeon is the second Montezuma teacher to receive the honor.

Montezuma’s FFA had a successful trip to Nationals in October and brought home two national championships in farm business management and agriculture communications.

The Montezuma Drama Department presented Musical “Monty Python’s Spamalot” and the students were outstanding, said Schulte.

The school bond issue passed, and students had a successful mock trial. DECCA students had a great showing and did and outstanding work.

“These kids take what they learn and use it in life and their future,” said Schulte.

The board approved the financial accounting records for fiscal year 2025 and the FY2025 Audit Report from Dustin Opatz with Creative Planning, LLC. This is the second year the Urbandale-based company has completed the district’s audit.

The board approved election results from Nov. 4.

Public Measure SQ received 554 “yes” votes and 187 “no” votes, a total of 761 votes.

Public Measure SP received 557 “yes” votes and 252 “no” votes, a total of 809 votes.

In the race for Montezuma School Director At-Large for the 2025 — 26 school year, Matt Mann received 652 votes; Jason Meyer, 647 votes; and others received 24 votes, a total of 1,324 votes.

Board secretary Mary Jo DeBruin administered the oath of office to Mann and Meyer, and Meyer was nominated for the board president. Cori Henkle was named vice president of the board.

Mary Jo DeBruin was appointed board secretary, and Karla DeCook as board treasurer.

The board voted to move the regular monthly meetings to the second Tuesday of the month in the school cafeteria beginning at 5:30 p.m. It appointed Ahlers Cooney legal counsel for the 2025 — 26 school year.

The board tabled a decision on the district’s official publication and named Montezuma State Bank and First State Bank as the district’s depository banks.

Montezuma State Bank will be the district’s depository bank for the schoolhouse fund, activity fund ($4,000,000), PPEL fund ($5,000,000), debt service fund ($750,000), self-funded insurance fund ($100,000), capital projects fund ($10,000,000) and all other funds for the school year 2025 — 26.

First State Bank will be the district’s depository bank for the general fund ($5,000,000), hot lunch fund ($300,000), management fund ($2,500,000), trust and agency funds ($100,000) and all other funds for the school year 2025 — 26.

Principal O’Rourke said the school is in month three of seeing the impact of PBIS celebrations on students.

Schulte, the secondary school principal, said that during the professional development day in November, the secondary teachers had a chance to choose their own paths by visiting teachers in other districts to get ideas to improve instruction, attending conference, working with a colleague on site, or by working independently on projects related to each of their individual goals.

The December professional development will provide an opportunity to work with businesses in the area.

The district has five students participating in girls wrestling; 14 in boys wrestling; six cheering wrestling; 13 in girls basketball; 22 in boys basketball; 25 in dance; 16 in junior high girls basketball; 15 in boys junior high basketball and eight in junior high boys wrestling.

The board approved Dylan Wilhelm as girls basketball volunteer and approved a contract modification for Suzie Elliott making her full-time rather than part-time

The board approved offering voluntary early retirement to staff and approved the Collection Agency service as presented.

The board agreed to have Marco Technology update phones in the administrative offices.

Schulte updated the board on the next steps from Denovo. The district will establish kickoff meetings with user groups to further develop scope and details. This will include athletic complex and locker room renovation.

Middle school and high school leaders will validate educational improvements

The contractor will work with the board to determine the construction schedule and set expectations for when specific portions of the project should be completed.

Bidding and construction will follow.

The December Board meeting will be Dec. 10 at 5 p.m. in the school cafeteria.