Board of Education Special School Board Meeting
Southeast Valley Community School District
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Southeast Valley Central Office
6:30 PM
The Board of Education of Southeast Valley Community School District met in a regular session. President Hefley called the meeting to order at 6:30PM.
Roll Call:
Joni Hefley, Allan Wicklein, Sean Stewart, Katie VanSickle, Jeff Ackerson, Heidi McGuire
Absent: Lindsey Eslick
Additional attendees were, Brian Johnson, Superintendent and Lisa Willardson, Business Manager, Shayden Hefley, Student Body Representative.
Motion by SS, seconded by HM to approve the consent items. Consent items included agenda, minutes from prior meeting, payment of bills presented, personnel changes as presented and any open enrollment requests.
There were no open enrollment requests
Personnel items included:
The resignation of Lonnie Holder as High School secretary.
The hiring of Katie Shuelke as Head HS Softball Coach.
Roger Fritz as HS JVR Baseball Coach
Maddie VanSickl as HS Assistant Softball Coach
April Murray as volunteer MS Wrestling
Paige DeWinter and Kiersten Fisher, both as 1st Grade Teachers at Farnhamville Elementary for the 26-27 school year Kourtney Abbott for High School Principal for the 26-27 school year
Morgan Castenson resignation as JH Softball Coach
Ayes: Hefley, Wicklein, Stewart, McGuire
Nays: None
Abstain: Ackerson, VanSickle
Motion carries 4-0
Committee reports:
School Improvement – No date set yet. This usually takes place early March but may need to be pushed back. Public Relations –None at this time.
Facilities & Grounds –None at this time.
Negotiations/Finance – Will meet once SSA is approved.
Transportation – None at this time.
Motion by KV, seconded by JA to approve the financials as presented.
Ayes: Hefley, Wicklein, Stewart, VanSickle,, Ackerson, McGuire
Nays: None
Motion carries 6-0
Administrative reports were provided to the board for each building as well as curriculum. Copies of the reports are available in the Central Office upon request.
A discussion regarding legislative updates was held. One topic was the discussion happening about Community Colleges offering 4 year degrees in certain shortage areas.
Motion by HM, seconded by AW to approve that there will be no Open Enrollment for Special education for the 2026-27 school year due to roster sizes, and lack of available services.
Ayes: Hefley, Wicklein, Stewart, VanSickle,, Ackerson, McGuire
Nays: None
Motion carries 6-0
The chromebook quotes were tabled as not all quotes were available at this time.
AEA Transition for FY 2027. A conversation about if we should continue with Prairie Lakes AEA or move to Heartland AEA took place. Mr. Johnson stated that Prairie Lakes has decent staff. Our biggest challenge with them has been a specific staff member that will not be returning next year. This might help in the decision. Conversation was tabled until a future meeting. No action taken.
A conversation about putting a naming rights policy in place occurred. No policies were submitted for approval at this time. It was followed by a request by a group of local people to consider naming the football field after a former coach/employee of Prairie. The board did not think this was something they would like to do at this time.
The next meeting will be held February 18, at 6:30PM in the Central Office.
Motion by HM, seconded by KV to adjourn.
Ayes: Hefley, Wicklein, Stewart, VanSickle,, Ackerson, McGuire
Nays: None
Motion carries 6-0