ACSD Board of Directors discusses 2021-2022 school year calendar

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met Monday evening, February 15 for its regular monthly meeting. Among the first items of business was a public hearing held regarding the 2021-2022 school calendar, and no written or verbal comments were received.

Later in the meeting, board members discussed that school calendar. ACSD Superintendent Jay Mathis presented two versions of the school calendar to board members. One version included if virtual learning days would be allowed by the State Legislature and the other was for a situation where virtual learning would not be allowed. The board did not decide on which calendar to approve at Monday night’s meeting, as the district is waiting to see if virtual learning will be allowable for days with inclement weather or not.

The board approved the consent agenda including the following personnel matters: the board approved after school program staff and approved Katie O’Regan as a volunteer for the musical; Bob Wasson, Cody Snitker and Morgan McMillan were approved as spring sports volunteer coaches; the termination of Emily Stone from her paraprofessional position was approved; and the retirement resignation of Joan Schmidt from her West Elementary custodian position, effective at the end of this school year, was approved.

Several Sunday usage requests were also approved involving fifth grade basketball for Sunday gym usage, fourth/fifth grade pitcher’s camp for Sunday gym usage, Waukon Heat Volleyball Club for Sunday gym usage, Waukon Cub Scouts for Sunday gym usage for their annual Pinewood Derby, and a possible need for a make-up date for the POPS Concert February 28, if necessary. Four open enrollments were also approved.

Under the Communications time, the board heard an ELA PLC (English language arts professional learning community) Teacher presentation. The presenters talked about how students are assessed, education standards and how data from assessments is analyzed and used.

The presenters also talked about a recent Professional Development day presenter, Nicole Dimich from Solution Tree, and shared information they learned from her regarding students and assessments. They talked a bit about ways to help students understand why assessments are important and strategies to help students figure out what areas they may need help in. In the end, students seem to get more out of feedback that focuses on quality and not just quantity.

In his report, Superintendent Mathis reported on the COVID vaccination process for staff, noting that 37 staff members out of 140 who requested a vaccine received their first dose late last week. He also reported that the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Bus Grant was denied, adding that there were no school district applications approved this year. He advised that he would still like to see the district move ahead with the purchase of two propane-powered Bluebird buses and that the district has budgeted for that.

Mathis also reported that ACSD is eligible for another round of COVID relief funding and that those funds would be for mitigation purposes or to help students to get “caught up” from missed school time in spring 2019. Mathis also informed the board that the HVAC system in the Waukon Wellness Center hasn’t been working properly for nearly a year, noting that Casper Plumbing and Heating is working with Vic Amoroso to troubleshoot the problem. Mathis noted that, per an original agreement, the school district would be required to pay for 25% of repair or replacement costs, and that the decision was made to repair the unit for now, which would cost approximately $30,000-$40,000.

Waukon High School Principal Jennifer Garin reported that the Construction class house project is moving along, on schedule. The mudding and taping of the basement walls is nearly complete and they hope to be moving on to the same process on the main floor this week. The NICC Welding Academy is looking for large class projects for the spring.

The Civil Engineering and Architecture class has presented student-built house plans to a panel of judges for next fall’s project and is also working on plans for a potential commercial office building in the Waukon Industrial Park. The Consumer Mechanic’s class has been taking advantage of having teacher assistant Arnie Onsager in class to share his 32 years of experience as an automotive technician.

February 7-13 was Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Week and 19 FBLA students participated in 13 projects for the Virtual Regional Leadership Conference in January with all students and projects qualifying for the State Conference in March. High school students joined West Elementary students for their 100th day of this school year February 2. Garin also updated the board on the 2021-2022 course handbook and the 2021-2022 academic planning meeting, as well as professional development days.

Waukon High School Assistant Principal/Activities Director Brian Hilsabeck reported that school events have averaged approximately 215 spectators at each event, well shy of the COVID mitigation guidelines of 50% capacity. One wrestler advanced to districts at New Hampton February 13 and finished third to bring the high school wrestling season to a close.

Large Group Speech competed in its State competition, and three out of the four groups competing earned a “1” rating (Superior) and will be recognized for All-State, but the All-State event will not be taking place this year. Individual speech contestants are beginning their season.

Hilsabeck also reminded the board of dates for regional and district sporting events coming up. The POPS Concert is scheduled to take place Friday, February 26 at 7 p.m.

Waukon Middle School Principal Luke Steege commended his staff members on their efforts to make virtual learning days a success. He said that he’s gotten positive response on the recent virtual learning for snow days, and Steege said he feels that credit should go to the teachers and students “who were well prepared for these days.”

Steege noted in his report that winter FAST testing has been mostly completed for math and reading and he gave results for the testing they have done. Middle School staff continues to monitor student progress and develop ways to help students move forward. They are getting ready for Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) testing. Steege also said that the Middle School has wrapped up its winter sports season and thanked Lee Stegen, Tharin Benson, Jesse Peterson, Arnie Onsager and Jason Dahlstrom for their help in making the season successful.

East and West Elementary Schools Principal Samantha Thornton reported that she and her staff have also been getting positive feedback on virtual learning days. She also noted that they are working on getting kindergarten and preschool registrations in. As of the board meeting, they had 25 preschoolers and 49 kindergartners registered and Thornton expects those numbers to go up. They are also interviewing for a new art teacher, who will begin the 2021-2022 school year. The elementary staff has finished its FAST testing and is getting ready for ISASP testing. February 15 is Kindness Week at East and West Elementary.

Curriculum Director Eliza Philpot updated the board in her report on professional development days and recent speaker Nicole Dimich of Solution Tree. Philpot also discussed curriculum development, with teachers in ACSD participating in Zoom meetings with teachers in other districts using math curriculum that ACSD is interested in. They are also looking into Authentic Learning and The Clearing House Work Based learning, which would help tie students to the community with real world applications. ISASP testing will take place in April and English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) 21 testing for English Language Learners (ELL) students has begun.

Buildings and Grounds Director Bill Hennessy noted in his report that the quarterly sprinkler check was recently done at the high school and it went well. Heating systems have been tested through this cold snap and things seem to be working all right. The custodial staff continues to deep clean and fog, with each room in the schools being fogged at night. Attic ladders have been installed at West Elementary.

Technology Director Shawn Gordon reported that he has been receiving bids for the Category 1 and Category 2 ERATE projects. ISASP software testing has begun. There have been some shortages and some extended repair times when it comes to repairing student computers.
Food Service Director Julie Magner noted that they have had to be flexible with menus due to the missed school days but otherwise things are going well in the food service department.

Transportation Director Andrew Eberling reported that due to issues with traffic congestion in the mornings with dropping kids off at West Elementary, they made some adjustments to how the school buses do their morning drop-off of students and it seems to be helping. He also noted that he had to contact the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) regarding the DERA grant, and when he looked at the website, he saw that no school districts were awarded the grant this year. The buses have been running smoothly despite the cold temperatures.

Under old business, the board approved the second reading of a number of Board Policies. These policies dealt mainly with student attendance, as well as student behavior and well-being.

Under new business, the board discussed the school calendar but did not choose between the two options presented until further notification from the State. The board approved the High School Course Description Handbook, and Exploring Computer Science will be offered to high school students starting in 2021-2022.

There were also some name changes made to a few courses. Crop Science, Animal Science and Farm Management are NICC courses taught by Ms. Jessica O’Connor and will be transferable to accredited colleges and universities. In order to ensure they are transferable the names were changed to Principles of Agronomy, Survey of the Animal Industry and Farm Business Management. Health II will be changed to Personal Fitness, with the hopes that more students would be interested in the course. The board also approved a Budget Guarantee Resolution.

Discussion then moved to the purchase of five new stand-on floor scrubbers. Superintendent Mathis and Director Hennessy, as well as the custodial department, demonstrated a stand-on and a sit-on floor scrubber, and the more popular model was the stand-on. The scrubbers don’t use chemicals to clean, but instead use an ionization process. This would make it easier to move from cleaning one area to another, like from hallways to a gymnasium floor, and Mathis noted that the district’s current machines are outdated. The board voted to purchase five new stand-on floor scrubbers from Dalco for a total of $69,110.43. Mathis noted that the district can use Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) funds to pay for this purchase through Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding.

The final item before adjournment was the approval of the first reading of a number of Board Policies. Those policies dealt mainly with student involvement, access and administration of educational records, and student medical matters.