ACSD Board of Directors meets in pair of sessions

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met twice during the month of November. November 3 the Board held a special meeting to discuss a few items. Technology Director Shawn Gordon reviewed bids for the new district-wide phone system. The Board approved a bid for a new telephone system from Marco, Inc. for $87,353.60.
Looking at personnel items, the Board approved John O’Neill as the 10th grade boys basketball coach. Mandee Dundee and Sara Langland were both approved as 5.75 hour per day classroom associates at West Elementary and Jennifer Hermanson was approved as a 29 hour per week classroom associate at West. Donna May was approved as a two hour per day associate at Waterville Elementary, and Rose Blake was approved as a 5.75 hour per day associate at Waukon High School.
The Board also approved a quote from Winona Controls to repair compressors damaged during the October 12, 2015 power outage for a total of $27,390. An insurance claim has been filed for the damage.

The Board also met for its regular monthly meeting Monday, November 16. One agenda item, the recommendation to approve a bid for motorizing the Waukon Middle School bleachers, was deleted from the agenda.
ACSD Superintendent Dave Herold presented a PowerPoint presentation regarding transportation and district cost per student. He noted that all school districts have to pay some cost to transport students to and from school, but the cost varies by district, depending on the distances that are traveled. Currently, that cost comes out of the district’s General Fund. Iowa state legislators are looking at ways to help equalize the amounts that districts have to pay for transportation to and from school, as well as equalizing what schools have to pay for district costs per student.
During the principals’ reports, East and West Elementary Principal Joe Griffith noted that all third grade students, including the Waterville Elementary students, are finishing up their Aspire testing. Fifth grade students attended a Youth Frontiers event. The elementary schools also each held Veterans Day events, with 40 community members helping with the Waterville Elementary event. Griffith thanked all the local veterans who helped make arrangements or spoke at the elementary school events. Looking ahead to December, Waterville Elementary will have its winter concert December 3 at 7 p.m. and East Elementary will hold its winter concert December 7 at 7 p.m. The winter concerts for West Elementary Bright Beginnings and pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first and second grades will be held during the school day from 2-3 p.m. on the following dates: kindergarten will be December 7, first and second grades will be December 9 and Bright Beginnings and pre-kindergarten will be December 17.
Jennifer Garin, Waukon Middle School Principal, noted that eighth grade students and some staff attended a performance of “Letters Home” at Luther College in Decorah and it was enjoyed by all. Seventh grade students attended a Youth Frontiers event, and winter sports are underway at the Middle School.
Brian Hilsabeck, Waukon High School Activities Director and Assistant Principal, noted that the fall sports seasons were successful, and the Booster Club donated cupcakes for the high school students to celebrate that success. Winter sports are underway, and Hilsabeck also noted that the new sound system for the gym should be shipped to the school shortly.
Dr. Mike Hardy, Waukon High School Principal, noted that sophomores had attended a Youth Frontiers event. He also said that the high school Veterans Day event was “excellent”, with a great choir performance and record attendance.
During the Curriculum report, ACSD Curriculum Coordinator Gretchen DeVore noted that letters will be sent to parents of elementary students regarding the early literacy initiative and the regulations that have gone into place as of November 10. This initiative requires all students to be proficient in reading by the end of third grade, or they could be retained. She also noted that she attended an English language learners conference and will be working with the district to ensure there are proper measures in place should the district ever have a student who does not speak English as a first language.
During the Communications portion of the meeting, Waukon High School Guidance Counselor Amy Wasson gave a presentation on course enrollment and Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) credits. This fall, students are taking 1,239.5 college credits through NICC, which translates to 51% of the high school students taking college credit classes, and 81% of the juniors and seniors are taking at least one college credit class. Joey Lapel, West Elementary kindergarten teacher, gave a brief demonstration of some of the I-Pad apps that are used in his classroom, and other classrooms, to help kindergarten students learn numbers and words.
In old business, the Board approved the second reading of the following board policies: 100-Legal Status of the School District, 101-Education Philosophy of the School District, 102.1-School District Instructional Organization, and 103-Long-Range Needs Assessment. The following board policies were deleted, as they are currently being addressed in other areas of the board policies: 103.1-Equal Education Opportunity, 104.1-The People and Their School District, 105.1-Education and Operational Planning and Needs Assessment.
Under new business, the Board approved personnel for the 21st Century Afterschool program, as well as the hiring of Kayla Rowan as a substitute bus driver, pending her meeting the requirements. The Board also approved a bid from School Bus Sales for two 65-passenger school buses for $83,893.00 each. The Board also approved the SBRC open enrollment application.
Fundraisers for the Parent/Teacher Organization (PTO) group, including a family movie night in December, a St. Patrick’s Day Item/Bake Sale in March 2016 and a fun run in May 2016 to raise money for the East and West Elementary schools, were approved. One additional student was approved for early graduation, and an out-of-state trip to Chanhassen Dinner Theatre for high school band and vocal students to see a matinee performance of “Beauty and the Beast” in March of 2016 was also approved.
Prior to adjournment, the first reading of the following numerous board policies was approved: 200.1-Organization of the Board of Directors, 200.1R1-Organizational Meeting Procedures, 200.2-Powers of the Board of Directors, 200.3-Responsibilities of the Board of Directors, 201-Board of Directors’ Elections, 202.1-Qualifications, 202.2-Oath of Office, 202.3-Term of Office, 202.4-Vacancies, 203-Board of Directors’ Conflict of Interest, 204-Code of Ethics, 205-Board Member Liability, 205.2-Board of Education-Security and Protection, 206.1-President, 206.2-Vice-President, 206.3-Secretary-Treasurer, 207-Board of Directors’ Legal Counsel, 208-Ad Hoc Committees, 208.lRl-Ad Hoc Committees Exhibit, 209.1-Development of Policy, 209.2-Adoption of Policy, 209.3-Dissemination of Policy, 209.4-Suspension of Policy, 209.5-Administration in the Absence of Policy, 209.6-Review and Revision of Policy, 209.7-Review of Administrative Regulations, 210.1-Annual Meeting, 210.2-Regular Meeting, 210.3-Special Meeting, 210.4-Work Sessions, 210.5-Meeting Notice, 210.6-Quorum, 210.7-Rules of Order, 210.1R1-Rules of Order Regulation, 210.8-Board Meeting Agenda, 211-Open Meetings, 212-Closed Sessions, 213-Public Participation in Board Meetings, 213.1R1-General Complaints by Citizens, 214-Public Hearings, 215-Board of Directors’ Records, 215.1E1-Board Meeting Minutes, 216.1-Association Membership, 216.2-Board of Directors’ Member Development and Training, 216.3-Board of Directors’ Member Compensation and Expenses and 217-Gifts to Board of Directors.