SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER

Carroll Tiger Families,

The 2026-2027 school year is underway! I am pleased with the start to the year and hope that you feel the same. As with any school year, we had some things to work out, and I think our staff has done an amazing job making adjustments as needed.

I want to take this opportunity to remind families how we communicate with our stakeholders. Your children's teacher and principal will use email and phone calls to communicate with you. Watch your inbox for messages from your child's school as well as newsletters. We will also post information on our school social media channels, which you can find in this newsletter. Most of our families use Facebook, but we know not all do, so we use multiple communication channels. Our school website and app are also great ways to stay connected with our school district. I encourage you to download the Carroll CSD app on your phone so you have it to quickly access important information.

Finally, as we were kicking off the school year, the Carroll CSD board unanimously approved a resolution calling for a general obligation bond election in November. We thank our stakeholders who have engaged in learning about the facilities plan, and I look forward to sharing more information in the coming months as we prepare the public to be informed voters on November 3, 2026.

It will be an exciting year! We are amazed every year at the support for the school district, and we look forward to working together to make this the best year yet.

Go Tigers!

Casey Berlau, Ed.D

Superintendent

On August 26th, the Carroll CSD Board of Education accepted a community petition to place a general obligation bond issue on the November 2026 election ballot. The proposal reflects community feedback following a District-wide Long Range Planning process and focuses on priority facility needs.

This bond issue will:

• Expand Educational Opportunities for Students.

• Modernize the Learning Environments.

• Improve Long Range Financial Efficiencies.

• Retire Adams Elementary.

Key Dates to Know

Community Informational Meetings

• September 14 | 7:00–8:00 PM
  Carroll High School

• September 23 | 7:00-8:00 PM

Carroll High School

• September 30 | 7:00 PM
  Facebook Live on the District Facebook Page

Voter Registration & Election Dates

• October 19 – Register to Vote Online Here

• October 19 (postmarked) – Register to Vote By Mail

• November 3 – Register to Vote In Person

• November 3 – Election Day

How Did We Get Here?

On August 26th, the Carroll CSD Board of Education accepted a community petition to place a general obligation bond issue on the November 2026 election ballot. The proposal reflects community feedback following a District-wide Long Range Planning process and focuses on priority facility needs.

Make Your Voice Heard – Be Sure to Vote! November 3

The upcoming November 3 election is an important opportunity for our community.

We encourage all eligible voters to exercise their right to vote and take part in decisions that impact our schools and community. No matter how you choose to vote, having your voice heard is important.

Each week, we will take a deeper look at one aspect of the proposed bond.

This week’s focus:

How do I vote?

There are several ways to participate in the November 3 election.

1. Vote Early – In Person

Starting October 14, you may vote early in person at your county election office:

• Carroll County Election Office - 114 E. 6th St., Carroll, Iowa 51401

Early in-person voting Does Not begin until October 14. Go to the election office of the county where you live and you can complete a ballot in person early. Be sure to remember your state ID.

2. Vote by Mail (Absentee Ballot)

You may request an absentee ballot be sent to your home. You can then drop it off at the election office or return by mail.

• Request your ballot here: (Request Early Voting)

• Track your absentee ballot here: (Absentee Ballot Tracking)

Key Deadlines:

• Request deadline: October 19 at 5:00 PM

• Recommended to return by mail on or before: October 24

• Drop off at election office: November 3 by 8:00 PM

3. Vote in Person on Election Day – November 3, 2026

You may vote in person on:

• November 3 – Election Day

• Polling locations can be found here:
  👉 https://www.carrollcountyiowa.gov/pview.aspx?id=20990&catid=563

Questions?

If you have questions about the proposed bond issue, please reply to this email. I will continue to answer common questions in future newsletters. You can find more information on our website here: https://insightreply.com/carroll/

Thank you for taking the time to stay informed.

As we prepare for the start of a new school year, we encourage all families to review their eligibility for free and reduced-price meal benefits.

If your student qualified for free or reduced-price meals during the previous school year, those benefits will remain in effect through October 5. To continue receiving benefits beyond that date, a new application must be completed and submitted before the October 5 deadline. If you currently receive financial assistance such as SNAP or FIP, or if you know you currently directly certify for free/reduced meals, do not do anything at this time. We will mail you a letter of certification once we have completed going through the issued list.

If your family did not qualify last school year but your financial circumstances have changed, we encourage you to complete a new application before the school year begins. Submitting your application early helps ensure benefits are in place as soon as possible. Applications are available through the school website at https://www.carrolltigers.org/documents/food-and-nutrition/301976, during school registration, or by contacting the food service department directly.

Waivers: Families who complete and sign the fee waiver may also qualify for free or reduced textbook/book fees and driver's education fees, if applicable. Completing the waiver ensures your family is considered for all available financial assistance programs.

If you have questions or need assistance completing the application, please contact Melanie Girard, Food Service Director, mgirard@carrolltigers.org or Lori Tigges, ltigges@carrolltigers.org. We are happy to help.

Please see attached menus for September.

The 2026-2027 school calendar has been revised. The last day of school next year will be May 26th for students rather than May 28th. Please be sure to replace any previous calendars you may be using with the calendar below.

The 2 transfer locations have been successful so far and I am very pleased by how quickly students have caught on and know exactly where to go and which bus they need to be on when they get to their transfer school. We have significantly reduced the amount of time that students are on a bus just in the first week of school. The shuttle system continues to work very well for us and we are seeing a lot more students utilizing the shuttle system this year. You can access the shuttle schedule - https://www.carroll.k12.ia.us/page/transportation. We continue to use the Crosswalk GPS system so that you can see where and when your student gets on and off the bus. If you have questions there is a FAQ attached. Thank you for your patience once again to start this school year!

View the attachment with important bus and transportation updates for the 2026-2027 school year. There have been changes for transportation district wide, please download or save the document below to stay informed!

Parents and schools are critical in ensuring students are healthy and ready to learn. Please note the following health requirements. Upon entrance into the 7th grade, students are required to have 1 dose of tetanus/diphtheria/acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine and 1 dose of meningitis ACWY vaccine. Upon entrance into the 12th grade, students must have 2 doses of meningitis ACWY. Students who choose not to obtain the required vaccines may submit a valid certificate of medical or religious immunization exemption, which can be found at the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services/Immunizations and Vaccines website or by contacting their school nurse, Ann McCartan, at amccartan@carrolltigers.org with any questions and/or to let her know your child's appointment date.

Students entering 9th grade are required to submit an Iowa Department of Public Health Certificate of Dental Screening, which was mailed to incoming 9th grade students and can be found at the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services - Dental and Oral Health Section. This must be provided by a licensed dentist or dental hygienist and have been performed no earlier than 1 year prior to enrollment and no later than 4 months after enrollment. This can be submitted in person, emailed to the school nurse or faxed to Carroll High School at 712-792-8118 by your dental office.

CCSD has a Student Assistant Program (SAP) available to our students and families.

Who can use the Student Assistant Program (SAP)?

All students and their household family members (siblings, parents, guardians, etc) can use the Student Assistance Program!

What is included in the Student Assistance Program (SAP)?

24/7 telephonic helpline that connects you with a licensed counselor. It’s here whenever you need someone to talk to. This is free to all Carroll School District families.

What can the SAP help with?

• Anxiety or stress

• Depression or suicidal thoughts

• Bullying

• Relationship Conflicts

• Problems at home or school

• Any other concerns that are bothering you

Student Assistant Program - English

Student Assistant Program - Spanish

September 7

• NO SCHOOL — Labor Day

September 9

• CHS Booster Club Meeting

September 14

• Community Meeting

September 17

• Monthly School Board Meeting

September 21

• NO SCHOOL — Professional Development

September 23

• CHS Booster Club Meeting

• Community Meeting

Carroll CSD has open positions that we need to fill. We need bus drivers and teacher assistants (TAs). We are also looking for a high school math teacher and a middle school language arts teacher. If you or someone you know is interested, please find more information here.

It is the goal of the board to develop a healthy social, intellectual, emotional, and physical self-concept in the students enrolled in the school district. Each student attending school will have the opportunity to use its education program and services as a means for self-improvement and individual growth. In so doing, the students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that assures each student the same educational opportunity.

The Carroll Community School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices. The belief in equal educational opportunity serves as a guide for the board and employees in making decisions relating to school district facilities, employment, selection of educational materials, equipment, curriculum, and regulations affecting students. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact Amy Collison at 1026 N Adams St., Carroll, Iowa, 51401, Phone: 712-792-8001; email: acollison@carrolltigers.org.

Board policies, rules and regulations affect students while they are on school district property or on property within the jurisdiction of the school district; while in school owned and/or operated school or chartered vehicles: while attending or engaged in school activities; and while away from school grounds if misconduct will directly affect the good order, efficient management and welfare of the school district.

The board requires all persons, agencies, vendors, contractors and other persons and organizations doing business with or performing services for the school district to subscribe to all applicable federal and state laws, executive orders, rules and regulations pertaining to contract compliance and equal opportunity.

Inquiries by students regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, are directed to the Affirmative Action Coordinator by writing to the Affirmative Action Coordinator, Carroll Community School District, 1026 N Adams St., Carroll, Iowa 51401, or by telephoning 712-792-8001.

Inquiries by students regarding compliance with equal educational opportunity and affirmative action laws and policies, including but not limited to complaints of discrimination, may also be directed in writing to the Director of Region VII office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn St., 37th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60604, (312)-730-1560, fax (312)730-1576 OCR.Chicago@ed.gov, the Iowa Civil Rights Commissioner, 6200 Park Avenue, Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50321-1270, https://icrc.iowa.gov, (515) 281-4121 or the Iowa Dept. of Education, Grimes State Office Bldg., Des Moines, IA 50319, (515) 281-5294. This inquiry or complaint to the federal or state office may be done instead of, or in addition to, an inquiry or complaint at the local level.