New London School Board Hears Positives About New School Year

The New London School Board met in regular session on Sept. 15, 2025 with directors Lindsay Porter and Becky Hays absent. No one addressed the board in open forum. They approved the agenda with one addition and the consent agenda.

Reports were next and started with the superintendent. He made the board aware that Friday night’s football game will also be Ag night to celebrate the new addition to New London’s curriculum. There will be fundraisers and at halftime Farm Bureau will present the new Ag program with a $1500 check. He also reported on Reading Corps., Stem Best Grant, and the ISL (Instructional Support levy). These assist in improving student achievement

Todd Palmatier, elementary principal, was next. The school year got off to a good start. The new Pre-K and second grade teachers are doing well. PTO had their first meeting and a float for the homecoming parade is in the works, and Christmas activities are already being planned. Parent-Teacher conferences are Oct. 14 and 16.

Scott Kracht, MS/HS principal also feels that the new year is also off to a good start. He reviewed PLC work done by the secondary teachers. He also talked about homecoming and the student planning. He is also going to have law enforcement go over the expectations of behavior and the consequences of not following those expectations.

The board approved several fundraisers and donations. They included:

In personnel matters, the board approved the following actions:

In board business, the discussion centered around applying for a STEM Best Grant in the amount of up to $50,000 for a 24x48 greenhouse and accessories. If the grant is successful, the school will have to match the grant 2-to-1 or up to $25,000. The grant application is due in Nov. The board approved the grant application.

The next item was the ISL (Instructional Support Levy) extension. A public hearing will need to be held. The request would be for a 5-year extension that only needs board approval. The attorney needed some additional information to proceed. It will be considered at the Oct. and Nov. meetings.

The SIAC committee for 2025/2026 was approved. The members are Seth and Abbi Denney, Liz Kuckler, Melissa Bence, Cody Lambert, Jen Loyd, Luann Martin, Allison and Jayden Bergman, and Bella and Dana Cole.

The board received information about the Special Education Delivery Plan and the caseload determination review. The board approved the plans.

The final audit listed a few items that need to be cleaned up. After hearing the audit particulars, the board approved the final audit.

Board policies that need to be updated will be an ongoing process as this school year progresses. The board approved the first reading.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:38 p.m. The next regular meeting of the New London School Board will be Oct. 20, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the HS Success Center.