EACSD School Board hears update on Teacher Leadership Program

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District was held at Kee High School in Lansing Monday, January 18. The meeting was called to order by Heather Schulte, Board President. Board members present included   Bobbie Goetzinger,  Melanie Mauss, Kelli Mudderman, and Heather Schulte, with Bruce Palmborg arriving.
Also present at the meeting were Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier, Kee High and Middle School Principal Mary Hogan and New Albin Elementary School Principal Chad Steckel.
Teaching staff members Donna Thomas and Jennifer Servais gave a presentation on the Teacher Leadership Grant that started during the 2015-2016. They gave the board an overview of training that took place this summer and their roles as lead teachers in helping staff develop strategies for collaborating with professional learning communities, using assessments for identifying areas that students need additional instruction and using RtI (Response to Intervention) instructional coaching and, with the help of Keystone, research areas for Personalized Professional Development to integrate and implement into class room.
The Board approved the following items:
• the January consent items, minutes of the December meetings, bills for January, Secretary’s Financial Report for December, and the Student Activity and Food Service December Reports.
• the 2016 Spring contract for Chad Steckel as the Drivers Education Instructor.
• advertising for sale three FCS dishwashers, a smog air filter system, and a bench grinder with stand.
Principal  Steckel reported that New Albin Elementary is currently completing MAP, Measure of Academic Progress, and STAR Early Literacy testing. A $500 grant was received from the Allamakee County Community Foundation to help fund the program. The Elementary is looking to involve the business community with the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program, where businesses can had out tickets to students which can be brought back to the school and used in the same way.
Principal Hogan also reported that MAP testing had been completed. The concurrent course offerings have been doubled this year and staff members would begin working on their personalized professional development with Keystone.
Dr. Crozier handed out a brochure on Keystone AEA.  A 6 p.m. work session/board meeting for Wednesday, February 17 was discussed and agreed upon to replace the normal board meeting scheduled for Monday, February 15. Work session agenda items being considered are enrollment history, the district’s short-term/long-term goals, legislative updates, and 21st century skills. Dr. Crozier also asked input form the Board on hosting donkey basketball as a FFA fundraiser.