ACSD Board of Directors approves a number of personnel changes, including the retirement of several long-time teachers

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met twice in the month of February. At a February 3 special meeting, the board approved the following personnel items: Erin Plein as student council advisor and Joanne Ericson as a mentor.

The board also accepted the following resignations, all due to retirement: Mary Milewsky, Jon Snitker, Louise Wild and Tim Bulman. Approval was also given to a bid from School Bus Sales in the amount of $116,520 for a propane powered bus.

The ACSD Board’s regular monthly meeting was held Tuesday, February 22 due to the President’s Day holiday. Under the consent agenda, the board approved the following personnel items: Charles Larson as a substitute bus driver; Cody Snitker as JJV softball coach; Amy Wasson, Mike Shupe and Laurel Keenan as volunteer girls track coaches; Morgan McMillan and Carley Sweeney as girls golf volunteer coaches; Jerry Keenan as Social Studies PLC leader; Lynn Larson as a high school paraprofessional; Julie Lenth as .5 TAG/.5 Spanish teacher; Dillon Daniel as At-Risk Intervention/Student Success Coordinator; Cody Snitker as assistant varsity football coach; After School program staff; and Julia Moran as 6-12 grade art teacher.

The board also accepted the resignation of Kendra Vix from her teaching position and Greg Criswell from his head varsity volleyball coaching position. Two open enrollments into the district were approved and seven open enrollments out were approved.

During the Communications time, the board heard a presentation from the Kindergarten PLC. The information presented highlighted the curriculum, using books and online learning and teaching methods.

In his report, ACSD Superintendent Jay Mathis noted that the legislature is looking at approving Supplemental State Aid in the amount of 2.5%. He also noted that Wellmark is raising health insurance premiums for the insurance trust by 4.89% for the next year. The district will be going into negotiations with the teachers and is also working on the budget for the next school year.

Mathis also noted that they received a proposal from Vic Amaroso for their impending project to spend down ESSER funds. He is hoping to bring something to the board for its March meeting.

Waukon High School Principal Jennifer Garin reported the Construction class housing project is moving along with drywall being hung and mudding and taping getting started. NICC Welding students made four carts to move wrestling mats around. Engineering students have presented the plans for next year’s student-built house.

Arnie Onsager is back for a fourth year as a teacher assistant for the Consumer Mechanics class. FFA students are celebrating FFA Week and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) students are preparing for the State Leadership Conference.

Garin also discussed changes to the 2022-2023 Course Handbook, which involved adding in new classes as well as updating course descriptions and names. Those changes were later approved in the meeting. She also touched on the Suicide Prevention training that was scheduled to be held February 28. Academic Awards/National Honor Society will be held March 15, and March 16, Trevor Ragan will present to students and to the public on Growth Mindsets.

Waukon High School Assistant Principal/Activities Director Brian Hilsabeck reported that the district hosted Class 3A regional girls basketball February 12. He noted that they are looking to improve equipment with new shot clocks which will be implemented by Iowa’s high school athletic agencies next basketball season. A bid from the H2I group in the amount of $12,770 was approved later in the meeting for new shot clocks and an updated panel. Hilsabeck explained that the Athletic Boosters will reimburse for half the cost, with the other half being covered by finds donated from Dr. Richard Hermeier.

Hilsabeck also expressed his thanks for the work of bus drivers, custodians and activity staff, as well as saying they are proud of the student/athletes and sponsors/coaches.

Waukon Middle School Principal Luke Steege reported that they are continuing to look for ways to make improvements to help students be successful. Steege thanked the staff at the Middle School for contributing to a positive environment for students to learn and for working on interventions with students in need. The boys basketball seventh and eighth grade teams had successful seasons, as well as the cheerleading squad. Steege also reported that they are beginning to replace the teachers that took early retirement, and he thanked Mary Milewsky and Tim Bulman for their years of service.

East and West Elementary Schools Principal Samantha Thornton reported that Incoming Preschool Parent Night will be held March 15, as well as Incoming Kindergarten Parent Night. A tentative date of May 11 is scheduled for an open house so families of incoming students can get a feel for the staff and facilities.

Thornton also presented some drawings of proposed playground changes to the West Elementary School playground equipment and noted she is working on grants for the project. She has also met with the PSST parent group. Book Bingo will be the Monday of parent/teacher conferences. Thornton also noted that the Black Hawk Bridge was scheduled to be lit in memory of teacher Julie Connor Thursday, February 24.

Buildings and Grounds Director Bill Hennessy reported that the Ansul fire suppression systems in the kitchens were inspected and passed. The vacuum system in the wood shop is complete and waiting for bags to catch dust and shavings. His department is working on small projects during the days there is no school.

Technology Director Andy Reichard reported on the software budget for the remainder of the 2022 Fiscal Year and noted the 2022-2023 budget has been updated. He advised that when some things purchased with ESSER funds run out, it needs to be determined if that software will continue. Later in the meeting, the board approved the 2022-2023 software budget. Reichard also noted that they have inventoried the district’s room projectors to see what future needs might be.

Food Service Director Jessica Keenan updated the board on supply chain issues. Keenan explained that in the coming months, they may have to purchase some items from places like Sam’s Club in order to obtain items, such as paper products.

So far, Keenan said she felt like ACSD has been fortunate that they have been able to stock up on items when she can and has a great staff. She noted that some districts in other states haven’t been able to get milk or bread. While issues like substitutions and increased costs can cause frustrations, Keenan stated that they will continue to feed students nutritious meals.

Transportation Director Andrew Eberling reported that they will have to reschedule inspections that were canceled February 17. The Blue Bird LP bus has been ordered, though he hasn’t heard anything regarding the vans or suburban. The new bus barn fuel station is working well.

There was no old business, so the board moved along to new business. The board approved the 2022-2023 school calendar. The Budget Guarantee Resolution was approved, as was the District Career Development plan. The district received a donation from U.S. Cellular in the amount of $10,000 to be used towards STEM activities.

A bid from Value Inspired Products & Service was approved in the amount of $11,195 for new folding chairs. Sharing agreements with Keystone Area Education Agency (AEA) for a licensed social worker and a curriculum director were also approved. The board then discussed and approved the 2022-2023 staffing plan. The goal is to increase support for social-emotional learning for all students.

Earlier in the meeting, the board approved Julie Lenth to teach TAG and Spanish, and plans to add an exploratory Spanish class for eighth graders next year. The transfer of Cody Snitker from fifth grade to high school math teacher opened up a fifth grade teaching position.

The district is also looking to hire a 1.0 FTE (full-time equivalent) Guidance Counselor in addition to the two Guidance Counselors it already has. The plan is for one person to cover PK-third grade, one to cover fourth-seventh grades, and one to cover eighth-12th grades.

The board then approved a request for proposals for financial auditing. Mathis explained that while the district is happy with the services they are getting now, it is recommended that districts let bids every so many years. He noted that they are not anticipating to receive many bids, however.

The final item on the agenda regarded an overage on an electrical quote for the LP fueling station. Mathis explained that the estimate submitted and approved by the board was for $2,000. The actual bill came to $3,363.31. Mathis said the item needs board approval to be reflected in the board minutes for the auditor. The board approved the payment.