The Adel-DeSoto-Minburn School Board met in regular session on Monday.
The board was given a presentation by seniors London Warmuth and Addison Herrick, who serve on student council, about strategies to improve student involvement within the school district. Warmuth and Herrick highlighted that ADM has great attendance with sporting events, but pointed out that there are other areas, like performing arts, which are slowly rising in popularity. They explained their goal is to ultimately reach 100 percent attendance across the board for all school events.
Items on the agenda that were approved included an electrical easement between MidAmerican Energy Company and the ADM School District, an Arc Flash Information and Indemnification Agreement between MidAmerican Energy and the ADM School District, seeking two jobs for a Special Olympics Coaching position and an Assistant Dance Coaching position, extend contracts for three school counselors of Josh Ahrens, Bailey Hoy, and Carrie Laaizure for a total amount of $5,269.84, an extended contract for FFA Sponsor McKenzie Gettler for $6,633.50, and a three percent wage increase for additional stipend contracts in the activities department.
More items on the agenda that were approved featured purchasing Building Fact Math Fluency Kits from Zaner-Bloser in the amount of $16,613.52, accepting the nutritional pricing for the 2025-26 school year, a three-year agreement with Athletico Physical Therapy starting on August 1st, the purchase of 170 chromebook devices for third grade from ByteSpeed at $57,290 and 400 devices from BlueAlly for fifth and ninth grade for $142,800, and the board accepted new facility guidelines as presented for the 2025-26 school year.
The board also had a discussion with High School Principal Lee Griebel regarding a different approach to restricting cell phone use during the school day. Griebel offered a suggestion to have students place their phones in a bin at the front of the each classroom they enter and that way, they’re not tempted to reach for it since it won’t be on them. He mentioned that he would like to monitor students during lunch and encourage them to put their phones away and interact with other students. Griebel said the plan is to inform each grade level about this, and although he anticipates some pushback, he believes it will be beneficial for students’ well-being at the end of the day. Superintendent Greg Dufoe agreed with Griebel, noting that very few other schools in Iowa implement this policy, but the results are astounding in a positive way. The board ended the meeting and entered into a closed session for non-bargaining employees.