The demolition of the Methodist church and parsonage was a focal point of the meeting. The board reviewed multiple bids submitted for the project, which involved collaboration with the historical society. This partnership ensures the salvaging of stained glass windows, an effort that will not incur costs for the school district. Responsibilities were assigned to the school for the removal of the church’s cornerstone and bell. After considering the bids, the board unanimously approved the bid from Enterprise, with a timeline for the demolition expected to be established in the coming month.

Another topic was the approval of out-of-field placement for teacher Jonathan Halber, who was reassigned to teach ninth-grade math despite being certified for K-8. This decision required a memorandum of understanding, crafted by legal counsel, with a stipend of 12% of the BA step one of the master agreement. The board emphasized that this arrangement was specific to the current school year, with future negotiations potentially incorporating similar provisions into the master agreement.

The board also approved funding for the National FFA Convention, scheduled in Indianapolis from October 28th to November 1st. Discussions highlighted the procedural aspects of out-of-state travel approvals and fundraising needs. The board confirmed a 10 to 1 student-to-chaperone ratio, acknowledging potential collaboration with other districts for transportation. The alumni association was contacted for financial support, although they awaited specific feedback on numbers.

Operationally, the board awarded contracts for milk, bread, and fuel for the 2025-2026 school year. Prairie Farms and Pana Gold were the sole bidders for milk and bread, respectively, and were awarded the contracts. Pure Oil was selected for fuel, with an expectation of a bid from Orton’s that was not received. The board also deliberated on snow removal bids, awarding the contract while considering performance and historical relationships with the contractors.

The board encountered challenges with the bus garage parking lot project, as bid discrepancies were noted due to miscommunication regarding specifications. Some bids included blacktop while others did not, prompting the board to reject all current bids and authorize a rebidding process. The board noted that the preliminary budget did not account for this project, but reassured that rebidding would not obligate them to proceed without further consideration.

The meeting concluded with a discussion on scheduling a public budget hearing for December 15, 2025, at 5:40 p.m.. The board also touched on ongoing negotiations with the teachers’ group, with preliminary discussions taking place and plans for further meetings.