Eastern Allamakee Community School District Board approves purchases of new computers
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, Iowa Monday, December 21.
The meeting was called to order by Heather Schulte, Board President. Additional board members present included Tony Becker, Melanie Mauss and Heather Schulte. Board members Bobbie Goetzinger and Kelli Mudderman were absent. EACSD Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier, Kee High School and Lansing Middle School Principal Dr. Sarah Updegraff, Acting New Albin Elementary School Principal Donna Thomas, Board Secretary Janet Heiderscheit and EACSD Technology Coordinator Dave Ellefson were also present at the meeting.
After the agenda was approved, the usual and customary authorizations were also approved. They included the December consent items, minutes of the board’s November regular meeting, bills for December, Secretary’s Financial Report for November, and the Student Activity and Food Service November Reports.
The Board approved a one-semester contract for Valerie Reinke as a Business Education Instructor and MOC (Multi-Occupation) Coordinator. She will coordinate the matching of students and local businesses in work-based learning experiences.
The board also approved the purchase of 40 Chromebooks for Kindergarten and first grade students which will replace the outdated iPads that do not support online programs. In addition, the board approved the purchase of 11 MacBook Pro computers to be used for Desktop Publishing.
Principal Updegraff handed out the tentative calendar for the 2020-2021 school year. This will be an agenda item addressed during the January meeting. Dr. Updegraff advised that the middle/high school has only one student home due to quarantine for COVID-19 while the elementary school only has four. She is also working on a Facility Usage agreement for anyone that may want to use the district’s facilities.
Mrs. Donna Thomas reported that the elementary school will be completing the Formative Assessment Systems for Teachers (FAST) screenings after winter break.
Dr. Crozier is working on an Early Separation policy for January. He also reviewed the State Legislature’s discussions regarding the 101% budget guarantee.
Dr. Crozier stated, “There is possible legislation being recommended to change the school funding formula to move the budget guarantee to State dollars and lower supplemental State aid. This would have a long-term negative effect on the school district, as supplemental State aid is for all of the operating fund.”
Dr. Crozier also advised that the administration of the coronavirus vaccination and how that may affect school districts is still in a state of flux as the new vaccines begin to roll out. He will update the board as the situation becomes clearer.
