EACSD Board of Directors approves employee contracts, distribution of funds for staff retention
by Susan Cantine-Maxson
The Board of Directors of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) met at the Kee High School ICN Room in Lansing Monday, March 21. Board member Kelli Mudderman was not present.
After the approval of the agenda, the public hearing on the 2022-2023 budget was opened. No one from the public offered comment. Later in the business meeting, the board unanimously approved the budget.
The board approved the March consent items, including minutes of the February meeting, bills for March, Student Activity and Food Service February Reports. The board meeting for April 18 was scheduled to be held at the Kee Connect location.
A majority of the remaining business pertained to the approval of the distribution of funds for retention of staff. The board authorized the district to pay all qualifying full-time teachers in accordance with the Governor’s State Retention Payment Plan and to request full reimbursement for the district’s portion of FICA/Medicare, for the purpose of staff retention for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year, the 2022-2023 school year, and future years.
In addition, the board authorized the district to pay all active continuing staff, excluding non-teaching coaches, excluding intermittent substitutes, and excluding the superintendent per his request, a one-time stipend based on $1,000 for a full-time employee not covered by the Governor’s State Retention Plan.
This will be pro-rated as necessary for other employees and employees who do not work a full workday as done so and defined through the central administration, as funded by ESSER reserves as allowed.
These bonuses are due to systemic staff shortages in the state of Iowa and staff vacancies in the local school district. These funds are being used in anticipation of continued future shortages in 2022-2023, additional responsibilities in 2022-2023, additional duties for all staff to assist with on-site, ongoing pandemic mitigation, and loss of learning for the student population that will require extra help from teachers and staff. It is felt this action will reinforce the board’s desire to retain district employees for the rest of the 2021-2022 school year, and school years.
The board then approved the distribution of funds through contract and extension proposals, which gives $500 per teacher per 1.0 FTE for 2022-2023. This makes a 3.25% total package increase for 2023-2024 and negotiated wages for 2024-2025. For classified personnel, the wage increase for 2022-2023 was amended from $.45 to $1.00 and added a second $1.00 increase to 2023-2024.
During Administrative Reports, New Albin Elementary School Principal Donna Thomas reported New Albin Elementary will have one more new student in April. Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS) filled its reinforcement jar with marbles and had a party March 24, including a dance. A Reading Carnival is scheduled to be held April 1.
Kee High School/Middle School Principal Dr. Sarah Updegraff completed the Grow Your Own Grant, which includes six northeast Iowa districts. The grant is to help with retention of employees, para to educator, as an example. They can attend courses at NICC and Upper Iowa to further their education through this grant. A meeting for all six districts was held March 23.
Kee Connect is having an open house April 7 from 3-6 p.m. There will be activities and snacks in the gym. ISASP Testing started March 22 at Kee High School and Middle School for grades 7-11. Dr. Updegraff will start her Human Resources Class Saturday.
EACSD Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier reported that at this time no sections of students will have to move from New Albin to Lansing. The custodial invoices from Hillyard were explained, which include products for summer operations. The graduation rate for Kee High School’s Class of 2020 was 97% and for the Class of 2021 was 100%.
