EACSD Board of Directors hears updates on dropout prevention program funding, purchase of musical instruments and fitness center wall
by Susan Cantine-Maxson
The monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) was held at Kee High School in Lansing Monday, December 17. The meeting was called to order by Heather Schulte, Board President. The following members were present: Bobbie Goetzinger, Kelli Mudderman, Bruce Palmborg, Melanie Mauss and Heather Schulte. Also present were Dr. Dale Crozier, Superintendent; Mary Hogan, Kee High and Middle School Principal; Chad Steckel, New Albin Elementary School Principal and Janet Heiderscheit, Board Secretary.
After the agenda was adopted, the board asked for audience comments but there were none. The board next approved the authorizations for the December consent items, the minutes of the November meeting, the bills for December, the secretary’s financial statement and the activity and food service report.
Since there was no old business, the board moved on to new business, first approving the dropout prevention modified supplemental amount and plan for 2019-20. In the past, the dropout prevention program was between 2.5 to 5% of allowable growth, but State regulations were quite narrow in what could be covered. The Rural School organization lobbied for changes in this program and there is now more flexibility in the spending with more local control over this program.
Eastern Allamakee’s program will maintain the same focus as before. This program currently includes student solutions, academic assistance and credit recovery, and incidental programs for students who are at risk. The new flexibility will open more ways in which the program costs can be paid, which will take fewer funds out of the general fund. This will also allow funds to be carried over from one year to the next as well. The board approved the request to the School Budget Review Committee for Modified Supplemental Amount and Supplemental Aid for the 2019-20 Dropout Prevention Program in the amount of $22,089, for expenditures necessary to implement the 2019-2020 at-risk and dropout prevention program plans as approved by the EACSD school board.
The audit proposal for the fiscal years ending in 2020, 2021 and 2022 was submitted by Kay L. Chapman, CPA from Muscatine. The proposal was approved by the board.
Principal Hogan reported that at a recent School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) meeting the group agreed that marketing will still be a major goal and lobbying will also be a goal. Hogan reported it’s a busy time of year with activities. This Friday, December 21 early dismissal is at 1:30 p.m. to begin the winter break. The band and choir will present musical selections as the students leave for the break.
Principal Steckel reported that the pre-school audit was complete. This was a series of reports which showed evidence of what curriculum is being covered in the pre-school program.
Superintendent Crozier reported on a plan established with the music department to systematically purchase new musical instruments. The district recently purchased a French horn. This year the department also plans to buy three trombones and a flute. Some students prefer renting an instrument as to buying one. Eventually, a tuba and more expensive instruments will need to be purchased in future years, as a lot of the current instruments are 30 years old.
Regarding the fitness center, the brick wall separating the bus garage and the fitness center has been removed. Pilings will be added and a three-hour fire wall will replace the removed wall. This was necessary because the soil under the building was the site of a former button factory so there were a lot of shells which settled and caused some cracking in the wall. Several engineers inspected the issue and agreed the addition of pilings and the replacement of the wall should correct the problem.
