Postville school board approves agreements with South Winneshiek

POSTVILLE – The Postville Board of Education approved a pair of agreements with the South Winneshiek Community School District during its regular meeting last Monday (Feb. 9) at the Performing Arts Center lobby.

The Board approved an agreement with South Winneshiek for special education services for the 2025-26 school year (the current year) as well as an agreement for South Winn. students to play soccer at Postville this spring. Postville has established girls and boys soccer programs while South Winneshiek has not fielded a soccer team in the past.

In other business, the Board approved a budget guarantee for the 2026-27 school year, ensuring that it will be allowed by law to spend up to 101 percent of its 2025-26 authorized budget next year. Postville is one of 208 school districts statewide that is allowed to use the budget guarantee, which is allowed for school districts with declining enrollment.

The Board also approved the sale of Bus No. 8 with a sealed bid option. The minimum acceptable bid for the bus will be $1,500. Following a 17-minute public hearing, the Board approved its 2026-27 calendar on a 4-1 vote with Director Teresa Berg dissenting. There was also discussion about the District’s driver education program and fees, though the Board tabled a decision on fees for the program.

Superintendent Brendan Knudtson reported that the School District had been awarded a $20,000 IDEA-DA Continuous Improvement Grant that will be used for professional development during the 2026-27 school year. Steve Gill spoke to the Board about English learners/special education dual identified students. Knudtson said Vision to Learn would provide eye screenings for students and that scheduling and planning for the 2026-27 school year had begun.

Elementary Principal Karen Hertges reported that FAST testing had been completed and that their math and reading interventions are currently taking place. She said the school had hosted the fourth-grade student inventor fair.

The Board approved hiring Olivia Lansing as a sixth-grade teacher for the 2027-28 school year and approved the transfer of Dani Rose from instructional coach to Preschool Director and Curriculum Director for grades PreK through 12. It also approved two open enrollment out applications to the Allamakee Community School District (Waukon) and accepted a $2,500 donation from Norplex for STEM use.

Following the meeting, the Board entered exempt session, as allowed by law, to discuss negotiations with the district’s unions regarding upcoming contracts.

The next Postville Board of Education meeting will be March 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the PAC lobby.