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Home / New London Journal News
New London school board approves schedule, budget
By Gina Anderson
May. 1, 2025 12:00 am
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
The New London School Board meet in regular session on April 21, 2025 with board member Kyle Helmerson absent. The meeting started with a public hearing. Superintendent Wahls discussed the FY 2026 budget. The tax rate will stay the same as last year at $15.68. He also discussed the 2025-2026 school calendar. School will start on Aug. 25 and Christmas break will be a full two weeks. The rest of the breaks will be as usual. Hearing no citizen questions and/or comments, the public hearing was adjourned.
The regular meeting was next. They approved the agenda, the consent agenda, and no one addressed the board in open forum. They approved two fundraisers with baseball/softball apparel sales.
Reports were next. MS/HS Principal Kracht was first. He told the board that there were four applicants for the Ag position. He hopes to have the position filled very soon. Scheduling for next year has started. Senior Spotlight is May 13 and he invited the board to attend if possible. Graduation is May 18 at 2 p.m. in the gym. Eighth grade promotion is May 23 at 10 a.m. in the auditorium.
Elementary Principal Palmatier was next. He reported that someone from the Bookworms organization will be coming to observe the teachers and provide modeling and coaching. The district carnival will be May 9 and the PTO has done an amazing job preparing. Spring musical was excellent and well-attended. Testing is finished and there will be lots of field trips in May.
Superintendent Wahls discussed the Ag program and the excitement it is generating. He also reported that NHS inducted eight new members. There will be the sixth grade campout and the 8th grade trip soon. There are NL track meets this next week and New London will host the MS conference meet.
The board took the following actions:
- Approved FY 26 budget.
- Approved FY 26 budget guarantee resolution.
- Approved Ag classes for the 2025-2026 school year.
- Approved 2025-2026 school calendar.
- Approved furniture purchase for 140 folding chairs, 24 desks, and four tables from School Specialty (low bid) for $13,514.68.
- Approved the New London Journal as the district’s official paper.
Personnel:
Resignation:
- Approved resignation of Jackie Housman from NHS shared position.
Sharing Agreements:
- Approved sharing agreement with Danville CSD to host MS coed & HS boys soccer.
- Approved sharing agreement with Danville CSD for transportation director services.
- Approved sharing agreement with Mt. Pleasant CSD to host dance.
- Approved sharing agreement with Mt. Pleasant CSD to host HS coed bowling.
Appointments:
- Approved Shane Manning — MS head baseball coach.
- Approved, after some discussion, Donna Carlson for school library services.
The board then went into closed session to discuss negotiations. After coming out of exempt session, the meeting was adjourned.
The next regular meeting of the New London School Board is May 19, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the north campus boardroom.
