EACSD Board of Directors hears of difficulties finding a vocal music instructor, updates on preparation efforts for upcoming school year
by Susan Cantine-Maxson
The regular monthly meeting of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors was held Monday, July 17 at Kee High School. Board Member/Vice President Bobbie Goetzinger called the meeting to order. Bruce Palmborg and Kelli Mudderman were present along with Board Secretary/Business Manager Marian Verdon, Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier and Principals Mary Hogan and Chad Steckel. Board member Melanie Mauss and board president Heather Schulte were absent.
After the adoption of the agenda, the usual and customary authorizations were approved; they included the following July consent items: minutes of June meeting, bills for June and July, Secretary’s Financial Statement, and the Activity and Food Service Reports.
No old business was conducted. The board approved the bids for bread and milk for the upcoming school year. Prairie Farms received the milk bid and Bimbo Bakery received the bread bid. They were the only bids submitted.
The board also approved the installation of internet access points at the high school. Superintendent Crozier explained the need to hire Marco Co. to install access points at the high school to enhance the internet service. The cost for this installation will be reimbursed by Category 2 funds which are part of the Federal e-rate block grant to states for equalizing bandwidth.
Contracts with Lisa Steckel for girls varsity basketball coach and Chad Steckel for girls assistant varsity basketball coach were also approved. The board did not approve a request for open enrollment because the request was submitted past the deadline.
The board gave its approval to the NICC Textbook Agreement, which means that students who will be taking PICC (Placement in College Credit) classes will need to buy their own textbooks for those classes. The district will continue to pay tuition for students who are enrolled in approved college courses which are taught at the school, but students will need district approval if they want the district to pay for other college classes.
Under Administrative Reports, Principal Hogan said people were very busy with ballgames. The buildings are being readied for school with waxing and cleaning. Lightning struck a compressor in a walk-in freezer, which ruined the contents. Luckily, there was not much in the freezer during the summer, but it will need to be replaced.
Hogan praised the custodial staff, as well as volunteers such as Chad Winters, for doing a significant amount of landscaping and grounds work. The biggest difficulty that she is currently dealing with is that she is having a great deal of difficulty finding a vocal music teacher for the next school year. She warned the board that if the position could not be filled, vocal music may not be available in the district next year.
Principal Steckel reminded everyone that RAGBRAI is coming up quickly, followed by the Great River Rumble the following week. Both will use school showers and may rent buses from the district. The Booster Club will coordinate those efforts as a fundraiser. Steckel noted that summer school is still going on in New Albin and that dance class for students will be starting soon.
Superintendent Crozier reported that the administration is preparing for another school year, and that the business managers will be doing the certified annual report. He warned the board that the budget crunch from the drop in enrollment will be felt in the year following this coming year. This past year's graduating class was 43 students, with an incoming class of only 18. The drop of 25 students will reduce the amount of State funding significantly for the district.
