ACSD Board of Directors hears proposal to dedicate high school gym in memory of teacher/coach Dave Schoeberlein among other matters during delayed session
by Brianne Eilers
Due to the threat of inclement weather, the regular monthly board meeting of the Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) was postponed from its usual Monday date to Wednesday night, February 21. Board member Tim Waters was absent.
During the Superintendent's report, ACSD Superintendent Dave Herold discussed changes to IPERS. He also touched briefly on legislative measures at the State level and talked about public speaker Aaron Thomas, who will be coming to talk to students and the community Tuesday, March 13. Thomas is originally from Parkersburg and attended Aplington-Parkersburg schools. Herold noted that Thomas talks on a wide variety of topics including overcoming adversity, being accepted and how to respond to good and bad situations. (See more about Aaron Thomas on Page 2A of this week's issue of The Standard.)
During the Principals' reports, Waterville Elementary Principal Julie Askelson thanked the staff at Waterville for their efforts during her absence. She also discussed FAST testing and Iowa Assessment testing. Askelson also reported that KWWL meteorologist Eileen Loan will be visiting Waterville Elementary and that Monday, February 26 author and Waterville native Mary Evanson Bleckwehl was scheduled to be at the school to read some of her books and sign autographs for the students.
Joe Griffith, Principal of East and West Elementary schools, updated the board on hiring to fill vacant positions. He also noted that they had preschool round-up and kindergarten round-up and discussed that the staff has been working with students and will have events coming up to help students learn to make good decisions, be kind and focus on being good citizens. He also said that they have sent home an anti-bullying contract and are working to identify problem areas in the school and make sure the students have adequate supervision. Students have also had classroom meetings and are learning about self-regulations and empathy. They also heard from speaker Joe Beckman.
Waukon Middle School Principal Jennifer Garin updated the board regarding the search for an instrumental music instructor. She also noted that the impending winter weather would not disrupt the Iowa Assessment testing schedule too much. Speaking for Activities Director Brian Hilsabeck, Waukon High School Principal Dr. Mike Hardy updated the board on winter sports season results. In the high school, they were also looking to finish up the Iowa Assessment testing. Dr. Hardy noted that student Sean Liddiard would be going to Washington D.C. for the Voice of Democracy writing contest.
Dr. Hardy also mentioned that the high school was trying to set up a second driver's education session that would better accommodate the schedules of student-athletes. He said he would draft a proposal to bring before the board at a later date. He also updated the board on the progress of the student house. He said that he is pretty sure they have the house sold. "It looks very nice," Dr. Hardy said of the house and progress being made.
During the Curriculum Report, ACSD Curriculum Director Gretchen DeVore noted that they were working on compiling data from the FAST testing. They will also be doing math testing in grades K-6. She also mentioned working with Middle and High School staff regarding blended and flipped classrooms.
Bill Hennessy, Director of Maintenance and Grounds, reported that there had been some heating issues with some of the buildings, but that everything was fixed and working now. He also noted that they are getting ready for spring and summer activities. Technology Director Shawn Gordon noted that they had sent home a technology survey for parents and staff at the middle and high schools.
Transportation Director Randy Nordheim noted that the new bus will be in next month. He also reported last summer they had blown some insulation into the roof of the bus barn and they are noticing a difference with no ice problems such as in the past.
During the Communications time of the meeting, ACSD staff Amanda Jellings and Michele Pladsen talked to the board about the Number Talks that the students at West Elementary have been doing. The number talks help students with computational fluency, number sense, accuracy, efficiency and flexibility with numbers.
Carlyn Lechtenberg then addressed the board regarding a memorial for coach and teacher, the late Dave Schoeberlein. She noted that former players had gotten together and raised money for the memorial. They would like to have a dedication ceremony at the Waukon High School gym and dedicate the gym in his honor. She also explained what they had in mind for design ideas.
During the visitor time of the meeting, Charles Ghegan, a parent of a student in the ACSD, addressed the board regarding concerns of recent bullying incidents. He felt that the district policy on bullying needs to be refined and said that he felt it was more directed towards older students and possibly needed to be refined for the younger students. Board President Al Rissman thanked Ghegan for his message and said they would take everything into consideration.
Under new business, the board approved staff for the 21st Century After School Programming. The following individuals were hired for the 2018-2019 school year: Timothy Lund (Middle School Band), Bethany Noble (Title I West Elementary), Kirsten Burrett (Second Grade), Danielle Bucknell (Fourth Grade), Laurie Adrian (Fourth Grade) and Daneshia Snitker (Fifth Grade). Shane Schellsmidt was hired as the head varsity softball coach. Amy Wasson, Mike Shupe, Greg Criswell, Lauren Kerian and Bridget Dolan were hired as girls track volunteer coaches. Morgan McMillan was hired as boys and girls golf volunteer coach.
In other matters, the board approved several summer projects. The East Elementary faculty bathroom remodel plumbing bid went to Casper for $3,000 and the cabinetry/vanity/shelving went to Sweeney Builders for $2,243. The door of the stage at East Elementary went to Mobile Glass for $2,070. Two small areas on the East Elementary roof went to Moss Roofing for $5,892. At West Elementary, the new partitions in the bathroom went to Premier Furniture for $14,459.85.
At the Middle School and High School, changing the classroom lights to LEDs went to Kerr Electric for $62,422.51. Air conditioning in the Technology Office went to Winona Controls for $7,750. Changing the doors on the classrooms in the old building went to Doors, Inc. with a cost of $39,828 for the doors and the labor for the project went to Sweeney for $8,924. Installation of garage doors in the Industrial Arts and Construction shop went to Hankes Garage Doors for $8,115.30. Painting of the classroom ceilings in the Middle School and old part of the High School building went to Toms Painting for $36,987, and that bid excludes doors.
The board also approved bids for lawn mowers. The board approved three bids from John Deere: $2,000 for a lawn tractor, $2,800 (after trade-in) for a commercial zero turn mower and $21,942.87 (cost after trade-in) for a belly mower. The board then approved the 2018-2019 software budget, with a grand total of $57,613.79. The board also approved the Budget Guarantee Resolution and also approved to accept and place on file the 2017 audit report.
The Summer Feeding program was approved again for this coming summer. Meals will be served at the Waukon Middle School Monday-Friday from May 29 to June 25 and from August 1 to August 14. A newsletter and menu will be sent home with students in May. The board also approved Sunday gym usage for boys basketball from March through July. Prior to adjournment the board approved the Luther College Education Student Involvement plan.
SPECIAL MEETING
The school board also met Monday evening, February 26 in a special session. The board approved hiring Mike Hardy as a spring driver's education instructor ($185 per student). The board then went into closed session to interview for the Superintendent position.
