The 2025-26 calendar was at the forefront of Monday’s meeting of the Fort Dodge Community School District Board of Directors.

Superintendent Josh Porter indicated the calendar is “about as final as final can get.”

“There could still be some changes,” he admitted. “Highlighting a couple of areas, we’re keeping the decision to hold graduation on Saturday which has been a good option and continuing the process of more professional development for staff, which includes half-days at times on some Fridays to narrow the current 192 teacher contract days to 182.”

Porter noted that he and the administrative staff will craft an email this week to get the calendar out to district constituents. The first day of school for the 2025-26 calendar year is scheduled for Aug. 26.

In other news, the board:

n Heard from district Director of Human Resources Kim Whitmore. She announced several openings have been filled recently in special education and discussed ongoing teacher recruitment efforts through an event at the University of Northern Iowa that could put even more staff into place for 2025-26. She also mentioned staff negotiations are nearly wrapped up with contracts set to go out soon.

n Heard from district Director of Safety and Security Roger Porter. He noted that a key safety grant that will provide $350,000 in funding for more security cameras, radios and other important equipment is nearly completed. Porter also noted that investigations are down 50 percent from this time last year in regards to all merited situations.

The next scheduled meeting of the Fort Dodge Community School District Board of Directors is set for Feb. 24.