The Fort Dodge Community School District Board of Education looked toward a promising future while honoring its past on Monday.

Recently elected member Dan Scott officially joined, while former member and President Dan Altman stepped down from his duties.

As part of that transition, Molly Nelson, who was re-elected, was chosen by her fellow members as the new board president, with Diane Pratt selected as vice president.

“I’m very thankful to all of you for the honor of electing me as the new board president,” Nelson said. “I have tremendous respect for each of you. I see it as us working together to shape the district’s future, and I know we are all ready to continue the work we are doing.”

Zach Mason also took office Monday after being reelected to his first full term on the board.

Altman was recognized for his tireless and selfless work with the board before the election and swearing in of the new board member, the president, and the vice-president.

“He is a life-long friend,” Superintendent Josh Porter said. “I appreciate your service and everything you have done. We also greatly appreciate your family, too.”

“It has been such a thrill for me to have taught Dan and then been able to collaborate with him on the board,” Pratt added.

“It’s truly been a wonderful honor for me to serve the district,” Altman said.

As the new board met, it discussed with Curriculum Director Teri Boezinger a new program to provide a gateway diploma course for students who have dropped out, aiming to get them back in the classroom and improve the graduation rate.

“The program offers an alternative pathway to students who pursue a high-set exam, which includes math, English, science, civics/government, and social studies,” Boezinger said.

Pratt asked if the alternative studies curriculum would remain, noting that it still serves key needs.

Porter said yes, but it will “look different.”

Board member Emily Dencklau inquired about funding, leadership for instruction, and the advantages and disadvantages compared to offering something similar at Iowa Central Community College.

“Allison Dencklau will be running the program for us,” Boezinger said. “She is working on a handbook, as there will be specific requirements about who can be in the program and so on. I see us using current high school staff to deliver program interventions.”

“We want to keep students in the district,” Porter added. “There can be positive attendance outcomes with this, as it requires four hours a week for the students to be on campus and count as present.”

The board also approved the following measures during the evening:

n A change order for the Transportation Renovation Project. According to district Maintenance Director Ryan Utley, this is Giardano Construction of Fort Dodge’s phase. “It comes to a total bill of $49,589.60,” Utley said. “The phase involves four items — an exterior lighting upgrade; repairs of steel columns on the east side of the building that have water damage; upgraded electrical wiring leading to a bay in the same area; and $25,000 for a loft area that will house a new air handler unit, which needs shoring up.”

n Acceptance of the monthly financial reports for October. Brandon Hansel, the district’s executive director for financial services, said that it has been an “exciting month as we got our first glimpse of the full line-item budget.” He noted that revenue is at $49,845,867, with $12,656,643 of that collected, and expenses are at $51,330,100, with $10,535,515 spent. “We do show an operating deficit,” he added. “It was forecasted. Josh and I need to think about what adjustments are going to have to be made to get back on track in the next few years and then share them with the board.”

n The Thrive Iowa Partnership Agreement. Porter informed the board that it allows the district to bring three people on through a grant guaranteed for three years. “They will work caseloads of families in the county to help them escape poverty, such as connecting with jobs, medical needs, and more,” he said.