A celebratory mood pervaded the Monday meeting of the Fort Dodge Community School District Board of Education.

From five young women recognized for Division I ratings at state solo dance contest to reflecting on a memorable Nov. 4 election, in which a bond referendum to create needed upgrades for the high school was approved by a nearly 75 percent majority, Superintendent Josh Porter and the board members came away excited for the future.

“The referendum vote showed me that there is a lot of trust in the board and district,” Porter said. “A 74.68 percent passage rate is highly successful. The ball is rolling on towards the future.”

High school Principal Staci Laird added to the positive vibes. She shared major improvements in the Iowa School Performance Profile.

“We had significant growth in the main score (up to 502.13 from 466.39), in the percentile (up to 55.79 from 51.82) and the category which has us at ‘needs improvement’ from ‘priority work needed,'” Laird said. “Scores are influenced by a myriad of factors, including English, math, attendance growth, chronic absenteeism and so on.

“The attendance area showed a huge improvement, as well as absenteeism dropping significantly,” she added. “While we are happy with the way things are going, we want to continue to grow. We are working hard, and it is showing.”

In other business, the board:

• Honored high school dance team members Casey Alexander, Olivia Daniel, Jayde Naeve, Audrey Sells, and Kinley Walker. They all received Division I ratings at the state solo contest recently in Des Moines.

• Approved professional learning with the 95 Percent Group for the middle school, the high school, the Early Childhood Center, and Duncombe Elementary. According to district Curriculum Director Teri Boezinger, a comprehensive literacy grant was received from the state for $133,000, which will fund each building’s learning.

• Approved the Prairie Lakes AEA Board election ballot for the Director District 4 for Deb Scholten. “She is a great fit professionally and personally,” board member Emily Dencklau said.

Porter looked ahead to the next meeting of the board, which is 6 p.m. Nov. 24 at the central administration office.

“It will be our reorganization meeting with the new board members,” he said. “We will honor (outgoing board president) Dan (Alt-man) for his work beforehand and then Dan Scott, our new member, will join us for the main portion.”