EACSD Board of Directors approves graduation candidates, moving of 5th, 6th grades to Lansing
by Susan Cantine-Maxson
The regular monthly meeting of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors was held at the Kee Connect Building - the former Middle School - in Lansing Monday, April 18. Board members present included Tony Becker, President Bobbie Goetzinger, Melanie Mauss, Kelli Mudderman and Arla Wagner. Also present were Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier, Kee High and Middle School Principal Dr. Sarah Updegraff, New Albin Elementary Principal Donna Thomas, and Board Secretary Michele Martin.
After the agenda was approved, the board authorized the April consent items, minutes of the March meeting, bills for April, Student Activity and Food Service March Reports.
In personnel matters, contracts were approved for the following positions: Hudson Johnston as Special Education Teacher and Theresa Havlik as grades 7-12 Science Teacher. The board also approved the contract for certified and non-certified employees for the 2022-2023 school year. Dr. Crozier was appointed as Level I Investigator and Sarah Updegraff was appointed as Affirmative Action Coordinator for the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23).
The board approved 35 graduation candidates for 2022. Commencement exercises are scheduled for this Sunday, May 8 at the Kee High School gymnasium at 2 p.m. Those graduation candidates include the following students:
Ahmed Adel Atta
Faith Ann Boland
Nicholas James Buege
Chance Joseph Colsch
Lydia Mae Corwin
Tyson Jeffrey Cota
Dalton Ellsworth Dibert
Jaylen Andrew Drape
Luke Leo Eiden
Alexander John Goetzinger
Whalen Thomas Hill
Ashton Marie Kolsrud
Gary Lee Kolsrud
Brayden James Mathis
Anthony James McKee
Haley Mae Meyer
Reagan Lynn Mudderman
Ethan Michael Rasque
Landon Matthew Reams
Jonah Harold Reinke
Thomas Richard Rethwisch
William Gene Schulte
Ethan Michael Schweitzer
Laurel Diane Scott
McKinley Barbara Sisson
Jacob Alvin Stendel
Lydia Kristeen Strong
Kai William Timmerman
Cheyanne Elizabeth Troendle
Jesse James Troendle
Kylie Marie Troendle
Daniel Erwin Wagner
Damon Michael Weber
Maggy Lee Weymiller
Abigail Carrie Christine Wood
In other business, May 16, 2022 was set as the date for public hearing for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) budget amendment. The 2021 Audit Report was accepted and filed. In addition, the updated Return to Learn Plan was approved. The board also approved the Joint Sharing Agreements for Transportation Director and Building & Grounds Director with the Allamakee Community School District, as well as Superintendent and School Business Official with MFL/MarMac School District and Technology Services with Keystone Area Education Agency (AEA).
The board waived two additional school days due to snow. An increase in the mileage reimbursement rate to $.42 per mile was also approved.
Regarding grade site locations, the board authorized moving forward with moving the fifth and sixth grades from New Albin to Lansing. Superintendent Crozier later explained the reason for the moving of the fifth and sixth grades to the Lansing facility is that New Albin Elementary has become crowded and there is room in Lansing to accommodate the move. He noted that parents have been supportive. He further explained that the new classrooms will be in the upper wing of the Lansing building separate from everything else, and that the former classrooms will be used for classes due to increased enrollment within the district.
The board then toured the Kee Connect location at the former Middle School. Dr. Updegraff explained the components of each classroom and the techniques used to promote positive behavior and learning within the new facility.
Dr. Updegraff reported that graduation planning and graduation activities are underway. She will be chaperoning the senior class trip to Washington D.C. The eighth grade class field trip to Dubuque is scheduled for May 18. Lansing clean-up day for grades 7-12 was scheduled for Friday, April 22, but weather conditions forced postponement of that event until this Friday, May 6. Track meets were also scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday for the week of April 18.
Principal Thomas is expecting two new students in New Albin this month. The mini-splitters are currently being installed by Tri-State. The kindergarten through second grade rooms will now be air conditioned. Cheryl Kuhn applied for a STEM Grant and it has been awarded for the Computer Science area. May 16, fifth and sixth grades will be hosting a play. USA Today will be onsite filming in conjunction with RAGBRAI and focus on the New Albin and Lansing communities.
Dr. Crozier reported that two roof units over the shop will need to be replaced this summer. An energy survey in conjunction with Alliant Energy will be completed in an effort to help save additional money.
As the meeting concluded, board member Tony Becker brought up the idea of a four-day school week. The board discussed some of the pros and cons associated with a four-day school week and then adjourned, with no further action taken on that matter.
