EACSD Board of Directors hears presentation on TAG program, approves purchase of rooftop heating unit

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, January 15. The meeting was called to order by Heather Schulte, Board President. Board members Melanie Mauss, Bruce Palmborg and Heather Schulte were present and members Kelli  Mudderman and Bobbi Goetzinger were absent. Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier, Kee High School and Middle School Principal Mary Hogan, New Albin Elementary School Principal Chad Steckel and Board Secretary Marian Verdon were also present.

Audience comments included responses from Susan Cantine-Maxson and Arla Wagner. Cantine-Maxson, who judged during the day of the Upper Iowa Conference Speech Contest held at Kee High School January 13, commended Speech Director Tammy Manning and the Kee High School staff and volunteers for an exceptionally well-run contest. She remarked that the contest was very well organized and contestants and audience members felt welcomed. She also noted that it takes many people who are willing to help out to make such a successful day and the district should be proud of the efforts of all those involved.

Wagner described her role as the Talented and Gifted (TAG) instructor within the district. She described her efforts to create Grades 7-12 Extended Learning Opportunities for gifted children to extend learning. Wagner noted this is not a pull-out program but relies on inclusion with services within the classroom with enrichment activities, saying her role is to support the teachers. She said educators in the building can access a toolbox of tips, ideas and strategies for teaching gifted students in inclusive settings, and that she also serves as a consultant for teachers to go to if they have questions.

Wagner said she also works to educate others on the needs of the gifted, noting there are differences between high academic learners and gifted learners. One example of facilitation that she described was that eighth graders took ACT prep so that they could take ACT tests early. Community mentors also come in and work with students on a variety of topics. Wagner has also held a seminar with high school students to let them know there is help if they are looking for resources or opportunities to meet their needs. She said occasionally a group will go on a field trip, such as eighth graders will go to a math competition at Upper Iowa University. She further noted that differentiation is a big factor to individualize instruction to meet students' needs and that it’s not about giving them more work but giving them a different level of work.

As part of her job as a facilitator, Wagner has set up a Google classroom, which is an online class where students and staff can communicate back and forth. She said seventh through 12th grade online classes give them communication lines so that they can be informed about contests and announcements, also noting that a newsletter goes to parents to let them know what students have been doing and what is available for their students. Wagner’s goal is make sure that she follows best practices in gifted education. She is working to find better ways to identify students for the program, nothing that she has met with Keystone Area Education Agency to consult.

The board authorized the January consent items, the minutes of December meetings, bills for January, the Secretary’s Financial Statement and the Activity and Food Service Report. The board also approved the purchase of a rooftop heating unit which will be paid for out of the schoolhouse fund. It will replace a 20-year-old unit over the kitchen at the school at a cost of approximately $63,000.

In the administrative reports, Dr. Crozier advised that Keystone offers cooperative purchases which EACSD continues to participate in, saving the district about $15,000 in needed purchases. Principal Hogan said the Kee Middle School and Kee High School students will do MAPP testing soon, those tests given twice a year to assess growth in learning. Principal Steckel explained that the elementary school was getting ready to do assessments for FAST Bridge, which will assess all the elementary students in literacy. These tests are given three times a year to assess growth in learning.

Parent-Teacher Conferences will take place for the elementary school January 31 and February 1. Conferences for seventh through 12th grades will be January 31.