By: Matt Scher, matts@977thebolt.com
Humboldt, IA – The Humboldt Community School Board took several actions Monday night to prepare for the 2026-27 school year, approving new curriculum purchases, updated student policies, and reviewing summer facility improvements across the district.
Superintendent Ryan Fedders reported summer maintenance projects remain on schedule ahead of students returning to class on Aug. 24.
At the high school, ceiling tile replacement, painting, flooring work and cabinet installation are nearing completion. New baseball and softball scoreboards are expected to be installed this week.
At Taft Elementary, a new outdoor classroom sunshade has been completed while classroom painting and landscaping continue. At Mease Elementary, gym flooring and painting projects are finished, with a new playground scheduled for installation during the first week of August.
Fedders also said the district is continuing to hire for several positions, including a high school special education teacher, middle and high school paraeducators, an elementary and middle school English Language Learner paraeducator, and a seventh-grade girls basketball coach.
The board also learned the district plans to launch a new website and mobile app before the start of the school year, providing families with two-way communication between parents and school staff.
Eighth Grade Athletics Policy Approved
One of the evening’s most significant discussions centered on Iowa’s new law allowing eighth-grade students to participate in high school athletics.
The board approved handbook updates establishing how Humboldt will implement the new law.
Activities Director Ryan O’Hern said student safety, physical maturity, emotional readiness and the ability to contribute at the varsity level will be the primary factors when considering whether an eighth grader may compete.
District administrators emphasized that eighth-grade participation is expected to be the exception rather than the rule. Coaches and administrators will initiate discussions if they believe a student is ready, rather than allowing parents to request varsity participation.
Officials noted the policy is expected to affect only a small number of students because of Humboldt’s strong participation numbers in most sports.
Insurance Costs Increase
Board members also approved the district’s insurance renewal for the coming year.
Fedders said commercial property insurance increased from approximately $189,000 last year to about $222,000 this year, largely because the district continues to insure the former middle school building while it awaits demolition.
Demolition is expected to begin later this fall, at which time the district anticipates receiving a credit after removing the building from its insurance policy.
New Social Studies Curriculum Approved
The board approved nearly $200,000 in new social studies curriculum materials as part of the district’s seven-year curriculum review cycle.
The district approved purchasing TCI curriculum for elementary students at a cost of $38,765.95, along with Savvas Learning Company curriculum for grades 6-12 for $158,631.97.
Administrators said teachers reviewed three curriculum options before selecting the new instructional materials.
During discussion, board members asked whether the curriculum aligned with community expectations. Administrators said teachers have flexibility to modify lessons when necessary while still meeting Iowa academic standards.
Calendar Hearing Scheduled
The board set a public hearing for 5:30 p.m. Aug. 17 to consider changes to the 2026-27 school calendar.
Fedders said the proposed change would move the end of the first semester to Jan. 15 because Iowa now requires a second student enrollment count on that date. Without the adjustment, the district could lose approximately $60,000 in state funding due to students graduating early.
Administrators said they hope additional guidance from the state could eliminate the need for the calendar change but wanted to begin the approval process now.
In other business, the board also approved the annual DRIVE program agreement for alternative student placements; the Project Early Bird concurrent enrollment agreement with Iowa Central Community College; district insurance renewal for 2026-27; annual complimentary activity passes for senior citizens, community service personnel, district employees and partner school staff; service agreements with Johnson Controls and ThermoSystems LLC for district building maintenance; and the first and second readings of several board policy updates, including changes required by recent Iowa legislation addressing student behavior, technology use and other education requirements.
The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 17, beginning with a public hearing on the proposed school calendar amendment.