EACSD Board of Directors approves variety of personnel matters, new rooftop heating units and increase in activity driving hourly rate
by Susan Cantine-Maxson
The regular meeting of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors was held at Kee High School in Lansing Monday, May 16. The meeting was called to order by Board President Bobbie Goetzinger. Board members present included Tony Becker, Bobbie Goetzinger, Kelli Mudderman and Arla Wagner; board member Melanie Mauss was absent. Also present were EACSD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Dale Crozier, Kee High School and Middle School Principal Dr. Sarah Updegraff and Board Secretary Michele Martin.
After the agenda was adopted, the board held the public hearing on the 2021-2022 budget amendment. With no public comment, the amendment was unanimously approved later in the board meeting. This matter was followed by the usual authorizations, which included the approval of the May consent items, minutes of the April meeting, bills for May, Student Activity and Food Service April Reports.
Under personnel matters, the board approved contracts for Shauna Ashbacher as assistant varsity volleyball coach, Ross Kolsrud as junior high girls track coach, and Alyssa Hostert as food service associate. In addition, the board accepted the resignations of Kelly White from her position of Behavioral Interventionist/Special Education for Kee Connect, Rachel Herold as Social Worker for Kee Connect, Martha Haugerud as Spanish Teacher, and Chad Winters from his position of junior high boys basketball coach.
The board also approved the ELL (English Language Learner) Coordinator position. Administrative contracts for building principals Dr. Sarah Updegraff and Donna Thomas were approved. Approval was also given to overnight trips for the softball team June 17 in Manchester for the West Delaware Tournament and in Waterloo June 24 for the Don Bosco Tournament.
The board approved the installation of rooftop heating units above the shop area, not to exceed an amount of $27,474.80. In addition, the board approved the authorization to accept bids for propane and approved the expenditures for the remaining STEM Grant money. Approval was also given to increasing the driving rate for activity transportation by $1.50, which will increase the pay form $14.20 to $15.70, effective July 1 of this year.
Dr. Updegraff reported that driver education will continue with Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) through the summer. Interviews are being conducted for current job openings. Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) scores are in and will be presented in June. A meeting to discuss athletic conference alignment was also held that same May 16 morning. The deadline for the new alignment has been set for July 1 of this year.
Dr. Crozier reported that the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) legislative report will be sent in. He will continue to collect information on a four-day school week.
The Eastern Allamakee Community School District is a member of Rural School Advocates and Dr. Crozier recommends that EACSD continue that membership. Evaluation forms were given to the board for the evaluation of Superintendent Dale Crozier.
