EACSD Board of Directors approves extension of virtual learning Wednesdays through December

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Directors of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) was held at Kee High School in Lansing Monday, September 21. After the agenda was adopted, the usual authorizations were approved for the September consent items, minutes of the regular August meeting, bills for September, Secretary’s Financial Report for August, Student Activity and Food Service August Reports.

The board  approved the FY20 Annual Transportation Report, the FY20 Special Education Supplement and the Resolution to Request from the State School Budget Review Committee for Modified Supplemental Amount and Supplemental Aid for the 2019-2020  Special Education program  money to cover the deficit for additional allowable growth. This money, as calculated by the Iowa Department of Management, totaled $52,226.81.

The board approved the FY20 Certified Annual Report. EACSD Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier remarked that the estimated unspent authorized budget is consistent with the previous year.

With only two more virtual learning Wednesdays remaining for the district as of that September 21 meeting, Dr. Crozier recommended that the virtual learning day held Wednesday of each week continue in the district until the end of December. After discussion, the board directed Dr. Crozier to extend the virtual learning Wednesdays through December and then to re-evaluate the online learning at that time.

The board approved the contract move for  mathematics instructor Elizabeth Hill from the BA lane to the BA+15 lane, and also approved the contract for Ian Zahren as a Teacher’s Aide. New Kee High School and Middle School Principal Dr. Sarah Updegraff advised the board she is spending some time in classrooms and is getting to know students.

Dr. Crozier told the board he expects the upcoming certified enrollment to show a loss of only a few students. The district is currently sharing a business teacher and would consider sharing another teacher since the district receives additional weighted enrollment.

The district has applied for and is receiving free breakfast and lunches for all students through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The food service program receives a higher reimbursement rate from the CARES Act.