EACSD Board of Directors approves personnel items, continuation of district’s existing Return to Learn plan
by Susan Cantine-Maxson
The Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors met Monday, September 19 for its regular monthly meeting. Board members present included Tony Becker, Bobbie Goetzinger, Melanie Mauss, and Arla Wagner, via Zoom due to illness. Kelli Mudderman was absent. EACSD Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier, New Albin Elementary School Principal Donna Thomas and Board Secretary Michele Martin were also in attendance, as well as new EACSD staff members Susan Pitzenberger, Nell Hogan, Theresa Havlik, Kathy Ehlers, Hud Johnston and Ashton Kolsrud.
After the adoption of the agenda, the September consent items, minutes of the August meeting, bills for September, and Activity and Food Service August Reports were approved.
In personnel matters, several new staff members met the board and shared the positions they were hired to fill, including Nell Hogan - Paraprofessional who also helps with wrap-around; Theresa Havlik - Secondary Science; Kathy Ehlers - Elementary Special Education Teacher at Kee Connect; Hud Johnston - Secondary Special Education Teacher at Kee Connect; and Ashton Kolsrud - Paraprofessional who also helps with wrap-around. The wrap-around designation refers to a program which addresses the needs of students in regard to school-aged daycare before and after school. All of the new staff members commented that they are having a good year and a good experience at Eastern Allamakee.
The following contracts were approved for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year: Claire Chandler - Paraprofessional at Kee High School; Wes Schmidt-Rundell - Paraprofessional at Kee Connect; and Theresa Havlik - Assistant Speech Sponsor. The board also approved the resignation of Luke Steiber from his custodian position.
New Albin Elementary School Principal Donna Thomas presented the district’s test scores to the board. She highlighted the variance between 2021 and 2022, and the decline and recovery from COVID-19. Overall test scores have recovered significantly from the pandemic year and continue to be above the state average in overall scores.
The board discussed and reviewed the current Certified and Classified Handbooks. Dr. Crozier explained that there were no changes in the certified handbook from 2019 and the only change in the classified handbook was the pay rate for the activity bus route. He recommended the board update the handbooks in 2022.
Dr. Crozier also reported that the district’s Return to Learn Plan does not need to be revised by the board again as long as the board is satisfied with the current plan, and this may continue indefinitely. The consensus among the board members is that they are satisfied with the current plan.
The board approved the renewal of the bus purchase agreement and agreement to lease three 66-passenger buses, and one 77-passenger bus from Hoglund. This will include the complementing financial lease agreement and contract approval from Santander Bank.
The agenda item on the Allamakee County Mitigation Plan was tabled to a later meeting due to Allamakee County Emergency Management Coordinator Corey Snitker not being able to attend Monday’s meeting.
Under Administrative Reports, Principal Thomas reported that she will be involved in chaperoning the Spanish Club trip of 2023 to France and Spain. Principal Thomas and Dr. Crozier also reported that they would like to advertise for a full-time paraprofessional who would also be qualified to supervise wrap-around care (before and after school care for students) at New Albin from 3-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, as well as Fridays. This would be a second shift-type position and would be integrated with reading and special education needs when the person is not supervising wrap-around services. The board approved to move forward with this plan.
Dr. Crozier also reported that bids are being reviewed for entry way doors at New Albin Elementary School, as well as new doors on the south side of the district’s Lansing Center near the business office.
