Board says goodbye to a century of service

Two long-term board members said goodbye Thursday as the Creston Community School District swore in one incumbent and two newly-elected board members.

Sharon Snodgrass and Galen Zumach have left the school board after a combined 100 years of service.

“Sharon’s been an educator for 40 years, 13 years as a school board member, an extraordinary 53 years of service. Galen’s dedicated 33 years as a teacher and 14 years as a board member for 47 years of service,” CCSD Superintendent Deron Stendor said. He thanked the two for their contributions through the years.

Snodgrass chose not to run for reelection this year, while Zumbach was not able to gain enough votes to continue on the board. However, he said he was grateful for the time he had.

“When I look back at the last 14 years, I’m most proud of how we’ve navigated the declining enrollment and how we’ve successfully reduced the tax levy and done what we’ve done with the infrastructure,” Zumbach said. “I don’t think people in our community know how difficult that is to accomplish. We have great administrators. I’m happy with my service and Sharon’s service and look forward to seeing the district move forward.”

CCSD Business Manager Billie Jo Greene then swore in the newly elected board members. Incumbent Amanda Mohr continues for her second term, while Kathy Thorne Ralston and MaKenzi Vonk join the board for their first terms. The three join board members Brad James and Don Gee.

The new board also voted on board positions. Gee was elected board president, while Mohr was elected vice president.

Greene will continue to serve as secretary and treasurer alongside Taylor Royster, who will take over her position when she retires. James was elected as Union County representative and Gee as Adams County representative.

Other annual business conducted included approving the Creston News Advertiser as the school district’s official newspaper, Iowa State Savings Banks and PMA Financial Network as financial institutions to be the depository of all district funds and Ahlers & Cooney Law Firm as the district legal council.

In other school board news...

Certified enrollment for the school district is officially in, with about 10 more students than originally expected. When budgeting for the 2025-26 school year, the district projected a loss of 55 students compared to the previous year. However, the actual loss is 44.8 students, meaning there is about $80,000 more in the budget than originally planned.

Creston High School Principal Bill Messerole reported the Hawkeye 10 district will look different next year. Lewis Central, Shenandoah and Red Oak school districts will be leaving the H10 at the end of the school year. Carroll School District will join the H10 in the 2026-27 school year.

The school board voted to elect Connie Maxson as District 1 representative for the Green Hills AEA Board of Directors. Creston’s vote is weighted at 21%, the largest of the 13 schools voting for District 1.

The school board approved the following list of November 2025 contracts and resignations:

Contracts: Trystyn Darnold, bus driver; Britney Walton, paraprofessional.

Resignations: Rebecca Morris, paraprofessional; Ashley Wantland, custodian; Abbi Hood, kindergarten teacher (end of 2025-26 school year).