The next step towards a proposed $42.04 million referendum to address critical upgrades to the Fort Dodge Senior High School building was discussed at Tuesday’s meeting of the Fort Dodge Community School District Board of Education.

Board Vice President Diane Pratt presented a petition to set June 9 as the date to further discuss and request a special election on the referendum.

The proposed bond issue would provide money for upgrades in the east and west classrooms and the main pool and indoor athletic locker rooms, updating building systems and the main canopy, the creation of a public address and safety system, and upgrades to career and technical education, fine arts and the weight room and field entrance near Dodger Stadium.

In other action items, the board:

• Approved a $12,000 purchase for a business and marketing program from Goodheart-Willcox. According to Curriculum Director Teri Boezinger, the materials are vital to enable “the further development of industry-related credentials.”

“We can also improve instruction for students in these areas,” she said.

• Approved the 2025-26 employee handbook and worker rules and substitute handbook updates.

• Approved participating in the storm protection fund relating to property and casualty insurance for wind and hail damage at a cost of $135,000.

• Approved the April 2025 financial reports. According to Executive Director of Financial Services Brandon Hansel, income was at $40.4 million, and expenses came in at $35.9 million. “We continue to stay on a good path as we head down the home stretch in 2024-25,” he said.

Middle school Principal Shawn Chesteen and Activities Director Brandon Ruffridge gave updates to the board. Chesteen indicated big successes from fifth grade parent night and school visits to get the new middle school class ready for next year. He also informed the board that the eighth graders made their annual college visits to selected institutions for the students to get exposure.

“Sometimes, they’re not thinking of that step as it seems a long way away,” he said. “However, this gives them an idea of what the future can hold.”

Ruffridge noted that numbers have been up in many activities with the district offering 32 to 33 different clubs, productions, performances, and organizations. Along with updates of individual program successes, he also said the district continues to move forward with cashless payment for events. He closed his discussion by sharing that the future of a conference for athletics is a key topic, too, with Ames leaving the Iowa Alliance Conference following the 2025-26 academic year, Waterloo East and West combining and the Des Moines schools’ situation in flux.