ACSD Board of Directors hears presentation on Vision to Learn program, approves several hires in anticipation of school year

The Allamakee Community School District Board of Directors met in its regular monthly session Monday evening, June 20, facing a full agenda in its first regular meeting since the end of the school year. Board member Patty Nordheim was not in attendance, as was the case with several other administrative staff members due to a technology conference being held that same day in Dubuque

During  the School Lunch Report, Superintendent Dave Herold advised that the current negative balance shown on the report is obviously due to no lunch fund income coming in while school is not in session, but food continues to be purchased throughout the summer months and lunch refunds have also been issued since the end of the school year. On behalf of Food Service Director Julie Magner, Herold also advised that the school district served approximately 2,000 more lunches this year than last year.

In his Superintendent report, Herold advised that the school district recently received a pair of gifts. He said Dr. Richard Hermeier has gifted $590 through the Gene and Pat Klinge endowment fund to the district's Community Connections program, and that Systems Equipment has donated five touch-screen monitors that will be used in the district's lunch program and Project Lead The Way program.

East and West Elementary Schools Principal Joe Griffith advised that there are 44 days left before school starts, and also advised on the implementation of a "Buddy Bench" at East Elementary School for the upcoming school year. Griffith explained that the bench was built by the district's Kid's Club program and can be used on the playground for any student who is in need of someone to interact with during recess time. Griffith said there will be formal training for students who are selected to respond to any such "Buddy Bench" usage.

Griffith also advised that the shuttle bus arrangement between the district's Kid's Club program and the City of Waukon Park, Recreation and Wellness Department has worked very well so far this summer. The program allows students to be transported back and forth from their Kid's Club location to scheduled practices or events through the Park, Recreation and Wellness Department.

Speaking on behalf of Waukon Middle School Principal Jennifer Garin, who was one of those attending the aforementioned technology conference, Griffith advised that the sixth grade class under the instruction of Kelli Olson was awarded third place in a recent energy-based contest through Alliant Energy. For their third-place finish, the class was awarded $2,000 that will be used for further STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) curriculum needs.

Buildings and Grounds Director Bill Hennessy advised that summer projects are going well, with asphalt work and carpeting at Waterville Elementary now being complete and plumbing work expected to be completed by this weekend's Waterville School Reunion. Hennessy said other plumbing and painting in other district buildings continues to progress, as does the tuckpointing project at East Elementary. He also advised that the roofing work at the high school is expected to begin next week and scheduled to be completed by the end of July.

Transportation Director Randy Nordheim shared a report outlining mileage figures for the year for the school district's vehicles. Nordheim reported that this year was about an average year with approximately 349,000 miles driven this year. He also said the average miles on the district's vehicles is right around 93,000 miles, with most all vehicles in the fleet eventually suffering from rust or other cosmetic blemishes before they encounter any significant mechanical issues.

Barb Winters-Kelly, 21st Century Learning Grant Project Director, advised that site coordinators have reported that the summer sessions have been good learning opportunities with good attendance by students. She also explained that the district's Community Connections program is one of 36 programs from school districts nationwide to be nominated for model programming consideration, with notification recently received that the program has now been named among 12 finalists.

Superintendent Herold advised those in attendance of the legislative priorities outlined by the Iowa Association of School Boards. He said the Allamakee board will be finalizing its priorities at its July meeting to have them ready for presentation to the State Legislature in November of this year. Herold also advised of the Iowa Association of School Boards Fiscal Management Conference coming up July 20 in Altoona.

High school and middle school nurse Kathy Wood presented the Board with information on the Vision to Learn program that provides additional free vision screenings for any students who fail the school district's initial screening process or have been referred by their teachers. The program also supplies two pairs of glasses at no charge for students who qualify for the program, and Wood hopes to have the program implemented within the Allamakee Community School District this fall.

Under personnel matters, the Board approved staff for the district's 21st Century Afterschool program, as well as approving the following coaching hirings: Keri Egan as freshman volleyball coach ($2,439); Chris Dahlstrom as eighth grade wrestling coach ($2,336); and Mike Shupe as volunteer cross country coach. The Board also approved the hiring of Sara Langland as Technology Assistant at a rate of $13/hour, Sadie Bucheit as West Elementary Kindergarten Teacher ($32,525/year) and Mark Hawes as 21st Century site coordinator at $17/hour.

Approval was also given to the release of funds to Superintendent Herold from an annuity that was established in 2011 in the amount of $5,000 and added to each year. Per an agreement established at that time, Herold has reached the five-year employment requirement to now receive the funds. Payment of a $2,000 stipend was also approved to each of seven established teachers within the district who will be serving as mentors to first-year teachers in the district this year through the Teacher Leadership and Compensation System.

Herold also advised that the district will undergo a new check signing process, as the previous process of a signature plate is becoming obsolete. That decision was made with the change in the district's business manager from the retired Janice Rea to newly-hired Jaime Curtin, and the checks will now, instead, be signed as they are printed through Grant Wood Area Education Agency.

Approval was given by the Board to several student and teacher handbook changes, as well as to changes in the district's coach's handbook. The Board also approved a contracted classes agreement with Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC), as well as the health consortium between the district and several other area school districts to share health education curriculum.

Additional approvals granted by the Board included use of the Waukon High School auditorium by Allamakee County 4-H for its annual Expressions Day June 26; Sunday, July 10 practice for the varsity softball team prior to a Monday, July 11 postseason tournament game; a list of various Sunday performance dates for the Waukon High School Music Department throughout the school year for various workshops, tours and festivals; the use of the Waukon High School auditorium by the Allamakee Music Boosters for a Sunday, October 9 performance by former high school band director and now renowned pianist Jim McDonough; the beginning of the Waukon Middle School Football Camp Sunday, August 14 to facilitate best use of player/coach resources; and a change in schedule for the Waukon High School Spring Play to Saturday, April 22 and a Sunday, April 23 matinee performance to avoid conflict with the Easter holiday and Friday, April 21 Indian Relays.

Herold also presented a new athletic equipment rental policy for the school district to allow student-athletes to use such things as helmets, pads, catcher's gear, etc. for off-season camp or competition purposes. The policy is recommended by the Iowa High School Athletic Association and consists of a flat $10 fee per event usage.

A change order in the amount of $18,720 was also approved for the tuckpointing project taking place at East Elementary. During the current project, it was discovered that some cement and metal covering exterior window sill areas on the first and second floors of East Elementary has deteriorated and allowed moisture to begin to do further damage to the building. Restoration of current deteriorated cement areas and replacement and sealing of the metal sill coverings was approved with the change order in an effort to preserve the building and prevent further moisture damage.

The Board also approved the second reading of a number of board policies dealing with curriculum and instruction materials. Approval was also given to the first reading of a number of board policies dealing with administrative staff and regulations. Superintendent Herold and Nurse Wood each spoke at length in regard to one of those policies that will allow each school district building to have on hand an epinephrine pen to combat allergic reactions encountered by any student and/or staff member.