EACSD Board of Directors learns Kee High School honored among the best high schools in the U.S.
by Susan Cantine-Maxson
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) was held at Kee High School in Lansing Monday, May 15 despite the threat of severe thunderstorms. The meeting was called to order by Heather Schulte, Board President. Board members present included Bobbie Goetzinger, Melanie Mauss, Bruce Palmborg, Kelli Mudderman and Heather Schulte. Also present at the meeting were Dr. Dale Crozier, Superintendent; Mary Hogan, Kee High and Middle School Principal; Chad Steckel, New Albin Elementary Principal and Marian Verdon, Board Secretary.
After the adoption of the agenda, the board held a public hearing on the 2016-17 budget amendment. After no public comment, the board approved the amendment during the new business portion of the meeting. The usual and customary authorizations were approved, which included the May consent items, minutes of the April meeting, bills for May, Secretary’s Financial Report for April, and the Student Activity and Food Service April Reports. No old business was discussed.
New business included the following approvals:
• Approved the 2016-2017 budget amendment to increase the budget in the instruction and non-instruction program areas.
• Approved the 2017-18 Information Technology agreement with Keystone AEA and the UNI Education Cooperative Agreement.
• Approved the transfer of Susanne Herman from the Middle School to the New Albin Elementary School.
• Approved De Soto, WI using the football field for its Junior High games. Due to flooding, their field is not available for games.
• Accepted the resignation of Ethan Ivy, K-12 Vocal Music Teacher; Patty Olson, Assistant Speech Sponsor; Daniel Love, Assistant Volleyball Coach and Girls Varsity Basketball Coach; and Joseph Bailey, National Honor Society (NHS) sponsor.
• Approved contracts for Allison Fitzwater as Student Council and NHS sponsor, Tiffanie Peters as NHS sponsor, Kathleen Block for College Course Stipend and Daniel Love as Athletic Director.
• Authorized the superintendent to accept bids for propane at the June board meeting.
• Approved a three-percent wage increase for Chad Steckel, Elementary Principal; Mary Hogan, High School Principal; Janet Heiderscheit and Marian Verdon, Business Managers and Michele Martin, Superintendent’s Administrative Assistant. Also approved for the business office was that Christmas Eve day would be a paid holiday when it falls on a weekend.
Mary Hogan presented a handout to the board on ALICE training for the students. A second ALICE video tape was made to use for classroom discussion and structured practice will take place over the next two weeks. Ms. Servais and Ms. Fitzwater attended the La Crosse Escape Room and were impressed with the themed puzzle game room. They will be using the old middle school to create an Escape Room. Eight girls qualified for State track in Des Moines this week.
Chad Steckel reported the elementary school is working on finishing assessments. He said the ST Math purchased with a grant this past year has greatly improved the elementary students' math skills. The ST Math program will be used again next year. The elementary still has three field trips planned and Field Day was scheduled for next Thursday.
Dr. Crozier noted that Kee High School has been recognized by US News & World Report as one of “America’s Best High Schools” once again, thereby earning the honor of being a Bronze Medal high school. Over 21,000 public schools in the United States were reviewed based on a variety of criteria, including academic performance and college preparedness.
Kee has earned a Bronze Medal honor for its academic performance. This is the school's seventh year earning this recognition, with honors also being given in the school years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014-15. The administration offered congratulations to Kee staff and students. Kee High School has 119 students in grades 9-12. To find more information on this award go to https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/iowa/districts/easter....
The high school also received the designation of High Performing from the Iowa School Report Card, which is a system to show how each public school is performing on certain educational measures.
The PSEO option for high school students is changing, with the district reviewing the PSEO changes and associated costs. Current practice for activity event supervisors and ticket takers will also be reviewed due to lack of volunteers.
A list of Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) 2017-18 Legislative Priorities was presented. The board told Dr. Crozier to pick the three priorities that best serve the district and report them to IASB. The board also discussed possible options for making the grounds surrounding the Fitness Center more attractive.
