New London School Board Holds Organizational Meeting

The New London School Board met in regular session on Nov. 17, 2025. The meeting started with the organizational meeting after the election and a retirement. Janae Lemley, the Board Secretary, then took over the organizational meeting that started with the retirement of Lindsay Porter. She was awarded a plaque from both the New London School District and the Iowa School Board Association that recognized her 16 years of service and a lifetime pass for herself and a guest. She took a moment to recognize those she worked with and their accomplishments.

Lemley administered the oath of office to the recently elected board members: Jessica Boyer and Kyle Helmerson. They then voted in new officers. They are President Mike McBeth; Vice President Kyle Helmerson; Board secretary/treasurer Janae Lemley.

Others chosen were as follows:

· Ahlers and Cooney — Board legal counsel

· Voting delegate for IASB Delegate assembly — Jen Loyd

· Henry County Conference Board Officer — Becky Hays

· Negotiations Committee — Chad Wahls and Jessica Boyer

No one addressed the Board in public forum. The Board approved the agenda and consent agenda that included the minutes of the previous meeting, financial reports, and claims, and the five fundraisers as listed. Jessica Boyer voted “no” due to the claims lack of labeling.

The following fundraisers were approved:

· NL Middle School — 8th grade trip — Big River popcorn & U.N. fundraiser

· ESports apparel sales

· Annual Thanksgiving baskets

· Student Council candy grams

· Annual ad sales

Next up was reports. Shayla Seils and Ag and FFA students addressed the board first. They discussed various things they learned on a trip to Ames.

They also heard from John March, Transportation Director. He discussed the state of the bus fleet. He is proposing to buy or lease two buses getting rid of bus numbers 3 and 1 or keeping them for parts. He wants to buy International buses. Ordered now, the bus may be here in July. They will continue to pursue a solution. Director Marsh emphasized that the current buses are safe.

Superintendent Wahls, MS/HS Principal Kracht, and Elementary Principal Palmatier all presented to the board.

Personnel

The board approved the following resignations:

· Shane Barron — Head MS boys basketball coach.

· Ben Fry — Asst. HS football coach.

· Leo Boddicker — Special education teacher.

The board approved the following appointments:

· Paxton Lindsey — winter snow removal help.

· Austin McBeth — Head MS boys basketball coach. (Mike McBeth abstained).

Board Business:

· Approved a course change for second semester in Ag.

· Approved updated the student handbooks with progressive discipline-Iowa code 279-798.

· Approved sharing agreement with Mt. Pleasant for girls JH wrestling. Boyer abstained as a MPCSD employee.

· Approved the bid for a heat exchanger for the auditorium to Millards for $15,190.00.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:05 p.m. The next regular meeting of the New London Board will be Dec. 16, 2025 at 6 p.m.