Columbus CSD
Special Board Meeting
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 - 5:00 PM
Columbus Administration Building - Board Room
1208 Colton Street
Columbus Junction, IA 52738
AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Approval of the Agenda
3. New Business
A. Consider first reading of Board Policy 701.05 and 701.05-R(1).
B. Consider approval of letter of explanation to the SBRC.
C. Consider approval of hire for Girl's 7th and 8th Grade Wrestling Coach.
4. Adjournment
At Columbus Community Schools, we know that showing up every day makes a BIG difference! 📚✨
Regular school attendance helps students build strong relationships, develop important skills, and stay on track academically. Even missing just a couple of days each month can add up to significant learning time lost throughout the school year.
🎯 Our Goal: STRIVE FOR 5!
We encourage all students to strive for 5 or fewer absences per semester!
🎥 Take a few minutes to watch this important video from Attendance Works to learn why consistent attendance matters and how families can help students succeed!
▶️ English: https://vimeo.com/240840053
▶️ Español: https://vimeo.com/130556839
💙 We understand that illnesses and unexpected circumstances happen. By working together, we can help every student build positive attendance habits and make the most of every school day!
One Community. One Vision. All Wildcats. 🐾💙
📸💙 PICTURE RETAKE DAY! 💙📸
Columbus Community Schools Picture Retake Day is coming up on Wednesday, November 18th, 2026!
📷 Need picture retakes? Students who would like their pictures retaken must bring their original picture package to give to the photographer.
📸 Missed the first picture day? No problem! Families can order pictures online at:
🌐 https://halversonphoto.com/
💻 Important: You will need your child's student ID number when ordering online.
Please mark your calendars and help us spread the word!
💙🤍 One Community. One Vision. All Wildcats.

💙🤍 EARLY DISMISSAL TODAY! 🤍💙
Just a reminder that Columbus Community Schools will dismiss early today! 🐾
🏫 Roundy Elementary: 1:20 PM
🏫 Secondary Schools: 1:30 PM
Please make sure transportation and after-school plans are adjusted accordingly.
💙🤍 ¡SALIDA TEMPRANA HOY! 🤍💙

A HUGE thank-you to AGRILAND FS INC. and our amazing community for supporting Columbus Community Schools through the FAST STOP fueling partnership!
🎉 Thanks to the funds raised during our first round of this partnership, we were able to give our pickleball courts a much-needed upgrade with fresh paint and brand-new nets! 🏓
And the exciting news? We're not done yet! 🙌
We are kicking off another round of our partnership with AGRILAND FAST STOP and will continue working together throughout the rest of the year!
⛽ Every time you fuel up at FAST STOP, you're helping support Columbus Community Schools!
🎥 Check out this video highlighting our partnership and the impact of your support!
🔗 https://vimeo.com/1240980737?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci
🔐 Video Password: columbus
Thank you to everyone who has already fueled up and supported our Wildcats. We love seeing our community come together to make great things happen for our students and schools!
💙 Fuel up. Give back. Support the Wildcats! 🐾

Attention Columbus Wildcats and Families! 💙🐾
Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, Iowa students in grades 9–12 will be required to take the Iowa Civics Test as part of the state's new graduation requirements.
📅 Important Dates:
First Testing Date: December 10, 2026
Makeup Dates: December 17 & 18, 2026
📝 What You Need to Know:
The assessment includes 128 multiple-choice questions.
Students must earn a 60% or higher to pass.
The assessment is NOT timed.
Students may retake the assessment as many times as needed to earn a passing score.
📖 Study Guide Available!
The QR code on the attached flyer will take students and families directly to the Iowa Civics Test Study Guide! We encourage students to use this resource to begin preparing for the assessment.
🎯 Let's Get Ready, Wildcats!
We encourage students to begin preparing now! Below are four interactive Kahoot practice activities to help students review important civics concepts and build confidence before testing.
🇺🇸 Practice Kahoot #1:
https://create.kahoot.it/share/civics-test-1/2c8df99f-6070-48ac-b048-bdf8054d16d0
🇺🇸 Practice Kahoot #2:
https://create.kahoot.it/share/civics-test-2/e975c7ae-1526-4e46-9b41-c3b45a3056e5
🇺🇸 Practice Kahoot #3:
https://create.kahoot.it/share/civics-test-3/b0cf2f51-2e99-4615-a8d3-8542d8b7a699
🇺🇸 Practice Kahoot #4:
https://create.kahoot.it/share/civics-test-4/ca0dd039-832c-4f86-8f67-581ef5b5cc61
📲 Please review the attached informational flyer for additional details, including testing accommodations, graduation requirements, and the QR code linking directly to the study guide!
We appreciate our families partnering with us to help students prepare for this new requirement!

Beginning next week, November 2, road construction on Maple Street in Columbus Junction may affect some school bus routes and pickup/drop-off times.
⏰ Please have students ready 5–10 minutes early, as buses may arrive earlier or later than usual.
🚌 Please be patient with our drivers as they adjust to alternate roads and temporary route changes.
👏 We appreciate the City of Columbus Junction for keeping us informed and working to improve our local roads!
💙 Thank you, families, for your patience and flexibility! Please see the graphic for additional details and the affected area.

🏫 Parent-Teacher Conferences are TONIGHT from 4:00–8:00 PM!
We can't wait to see our Wildcat families tonight! Thank you to everyone who attended conferences on Tuesday. We appreciate your continued support and partnership in your child's education! 💙
📅 REMINDER: NO SCHOOL TOMORROW!
There will be NO SCHOOL on Friday, October 30th, for all Columbus Community School District students!
We hope all of our Wildcats enjoy their long weekend! 🍂🎃
💙 One Community. One Vision. All Wildcats. 🐾

With November right around the corner, we are excited to share our next Columbus Community School District Newsletter! 💙🐾
🌟 This month, we're shining the spotlight on our Secondary School and celebrating another wonderful community connection!
Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1leonV4E6p67ADEh_JmAiIDY8KFumHmFz/view?usp=sharing
We encourage all of our Wildcat families and community members to take a few minutes to read through the newsletter for important updates, celebrations, and all the great things happening across our district!
💙 One Community. One Vision. All Wildcats. 🐾
💙🤍 EARLY DISMISSAL TODAY! 🤍💙
Just a reminder that Columbus Community Schools will dismiss early today! 🐾
🏫 Roundy Elementary: 1:20 PM
🏫 Secondary Schools: 1:30 PM
Please make sure transportation and after-school plans are adjusted accordingly.
💙🤍 ¡SALIDA TEMPRANA HOY! 🤍💙

Columbus Community Schools is looking for substitute teachers to join our Wildcat team! 🐾💙
Do you enjoy working with students and making a difference in your community? We would love to have you join us!
💰 Substitute Pay:
$160 per full day
$80 per half day
🎓 Don't have a substitute authorization yet? Here's how to get started!
To qualify for an Iowa Substitute Authorization, you need:
✅ An associate's degree OR at least 60 semester hours of college credit.
✅ Completion of an approved substitute authorization course.
✅ Completion of mandatory child abuse reporter training.
📝 Ready to take the next step?
📌 Substitute Authorization Application Instructions:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iWJ4QTZfScY4Mri3Obr5yRRKbOMywZrG/view?usp=sharing
📌 Mandatory Reporter Training:
https://educate.iowa.gov/educator-licensure/mandatory-reporter-training
💙 Whether you're a college student, retired professional, or someone looking for a flexible opportunity to make a difference, substitute teaching could be a great fit!
Help us support our students and keep learning moving forward!
🐾 One Community. One Vision. All Wildcats.

💙🤍 EARLY DISMISSAL TODAY! 🤍💙
Just a reminder that Columbus Community Schools will dismiss early today! 🐾
🏫 Roundy Elementary: 1:20 PM
🏫 Secondary Schools: 1:30 PM
Please make sure transportation and after-school plans are adjusted accordingly.
💙🤍 ¡SALIDA TEMPRANA HOY! 🤍💙

🌟 One Community. One Vision. All Wildcats. 🌟
📣 We Want to Hear From YOU!
As we look ahead to the next 5–10 years, Columbus Community School District is gathering valuable feedback to help guide our future goals, priorities, and decisions.
Your voice matters! Whether you're a parent, student, staff member, community member, or Columbus alumni, we want to hear from you! 💙
📋 Please take a few minutes to complete our community survey! Your feedback will help us better understand the needs of our students, families, schools, and community as we plan for the future.
🌟 Help us spread the word! We want to reach as many people in our community as possible. Please share this post with your friends, family, neighbors, and fellow Wildcats!
Together, we can continue building a bright future for our students and our beloved Columbus Community School District! 💙🤍
🔗 Complete the Survey Here:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=D9Dx2xyVV0GxdssDjc3ZnoZN6Ug6j35OtB4CdwGS31dUQjNMTzBXQlY4SFBSUTdHREFEUzU5UVFXVS4u
Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat! 🐾
Just a reminder that Columbus Community Schools will dismiss early today! 🐾
🏫 Roundy Elementary: 1:20 PM
🏫 Secondary Schools: 1:30 PM
Please make sure transportation and after-school plans are adjusted accordingly.
💙🤍 ¡SALIDA TEMPRANA HOY! 🤍💙

Columbus Community School District families, we are looking forward to connecting with you during Parent-Teacher Conferences next week!
📅 Tuesday, October 27 | 4:00–8:00 PM
📅 Thursday, October 29 | 4:00–8:00 PM
⏰ Important Schedule Reminders:
Tuesday, October 27: Early Dismissal
Thursday, October 29: Early Dismissal
Friday, October 30: NO SCHOOL
Parent-Teacher Conferences are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your child's successes, discuss their academic progress, ask questions, and learn more about their school day.
💡 Did you know? The Iowa Department of Education provides Family Guides for Kindergarten through High School that outline what students are expected to learn in English Language Arts, Math, and Science at each grade level.
These guides are a great resource to help families better understand grade-level expectations and engage in meaningful conversations with teachers about their child's learning and growth.
📖 Explore the Family Guides here:
https://educate.iowa.gov/pk-12/standards/academics/iowa-academic-standards-family-guides
We encourage you to take a few minutes to explore your child's grade-level guide before conferences. You may find helpful information or questions you'd like to discuss with their teacher!
💙 Strong schools are built on strong partnerships between families and educators! We look forward to seeing you next week and working together to support every Wildcat's success!
🐾 Go Wildcats!

📅 Wednesday, October 21st, 2026
Tomorrow is Picture Day at Columbus Community Schools! 🐾
Get those smiles ready, pick out your favorite outfit, and come ready to capture some school-year memories! 📷✨
We can't wait to see all of our Wildcats' smiling faces! 💙🤍
Secondary Link: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001400732
Roundy Link: https://shop.imagequix.com/g1001350559

Just a reminder that Columbus Community Schools will dismiss early today! 🐾
🏫 Roundy Elementary: 1:20 PM
🏫 Secondary Schools: 1:30 PM
Please make sure transportation and after-school plans are adjusted accordingly.
💙🤍 ¡SALIDA TEMPRANA HOY! 🤍💙

Families, please remember that the current meal eligibility carryover period is ending soon. Last year’s free or reduced-price meal benefits will expire on October 7, 2026. After that date, students without a new approved application will be charged the full meal price.
💻 Apply online: Log in to Infinite Campus and select More → Meal Benefits to submit a new application.
📄 Prefer a paper application? Applications are available at the Elementary or High School office.
We encourage families who may qualify to complete a new application as soon as possible to avoid an interruption in meal benefits.
💙🤍 One Community. One Vision. All Wildcats. 🐾
🍎 Recordatorio: Solicitudes para Comidas Gratis o a Precio Reducido 🍎
Familias, les recordamos que el período actual de continuidad de beneficios de comidas terminará pronto. Los beneficios de comidas gratis o a precio reducido del año pasado vencerán el 7 de octubre de 2026. Después de esa fecha, a los estudiantes que no tengan una nueva solicitud aprobada se les cobrará el precio completo de las comidas.
💻 Solicite en línea: Inicie sesión en Infinite Campus y seleccione More → Meal Benefits para enviar una nueva solicitud.
📄 ¿Prefiere una solicitud en papel? Las solicitudes están disponibles en la oficina de la Escuela Primaria o de la Escuela Secundaria.
Animamos a las familias que puedan calificar a completar una nueva solicitud lo antes posible para evitar una interrupción en los beneficios de comidas.
💙🤍 Una Comunidad. Una Visión. Todos Wildcats. 🐾

Just a reminder that Columbus Community Schools will dismiss early today! 🐾
🏫 Roundy Elementary: 1:20 PM
🏫 Secondary Schools: 1:30 PM
Please make sure transportation and after-school plans are adjusted accordingly.
💙🤍 ¡SALIDA TEMPRANA HOY! 🤍💙

Today we are excited to recognize our very own PK–12 Instructional Coach, Maureen Mincks! 🐾📚
Maureen supports teaching and learning across our district by collaborating with staff, sharing resources and ideas, supporting professional learning, and helping us continue to grow for our students.
Thank you, Maureen, for all you do for our staff, students, and community! Your time, dedication, and commitment to Columbus Community Schools are greatly appreciated. 💙🤍

