ACSD Board of Directors hears variety of updates as first semester of the 2022-2023 school year comes to a close, including replacement of laptops
by Brianne Grimstad
The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Monday, December 19. All board members were present and the revised agenda was approved.
Under the consent agenda, the following personnel matters were approved: Erin Andregg as Middle School Para; Edwin Frick as Varsity Boys Basketball Volunteer Coach; Maria Baker as Elementary Title/Special Education Teacher; and Stephanie Iverson as an Elementary Para. The following resignations were also accepted: Randy Nordheim, Varsity Volleyball Coach; Beth Christoffer, 21st Century Budget/Evaluation Coordinator; and Lori Cahoon, Elementary Para. The board also approved a lease agreement between Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) and ACSD, regarding the NICC Waukon Center.
During the Communications time of the meeting, the board heard a presentation on the FAST for Success Reading Program. East and West Elementary Schools Principal Samantha Thornton gave a brief explanation of the program and explained how students are tested several times a year and what staff do with the data they gather and help the students who are struggling. She noted that there is also a FAST Math program as well.
In his report, Superintendent Jay Mathis noted that he and Brian Hilsabeck, Waukon High School Assistant Principal and Activities Director, spent some time in mediation with the NEIC (Northeast Iowa Conference) and Waverly-Shell Rock. He reported that Waverly-Shell Rock will be in the conference one more year in order to give them time to find a new conference that is more comparable to their school size (see further details in an article printed on Page 24 in the December 21, 2022 edition of The Standard).
The district has been utilizing virtual snow days, which has allowed teachers to keep students on schedule and get content covered prior to first semester testing. If the district would have two more snow days, they will have to tack them on to end of the school year.
The district has also been in the process of switching over to a new weather alert system. While Superintendent Mathis noted this is not the best time of the year for that, the renewal for the old system was due and the Department of Education announced last year it would no longer be paying for that system so the district found a different option. Waukon High School Principal Jennifer Garin reported that the roof is finished on the student-built house and soffit and fascia is being installed. The welding, metals and electricity classes worked with Benjegerdes Machine and Kerr Electric to make a light bar for the finish line of the track.
Students involved in Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA)/Business/Computer Science/Careers classes attended the Fall Leadership Conference in Des Moines, attending workshops and hearing speakers. FFA/Agriculture students have attended Ignite, Amplify, Transform Conferences in Ankeny and also held their annual degree night November 14. Semester tests will take place December 19-21. There will be a professional development day January 3, 2023.
Waukon High School Assistant Principal/Activities Director Brian Hilsabeck reported on winter activities participation numbers. The high school band and choir concert was held December 12. Hilsabeck thanked staff for their support during the first semester, as well as Transportation Director Andrew Eberling and Pat Klinge for their work on transportation during the challenging weather situations.
Waukon Middle School Principal Luke Steege thanked the staff at the middle school for making the first semester a success. He noted that students have been enjoying some fun STEM experiences, including learning to fly drones and take aerial photos. The seventh and eighth grade girls basketball season has wrapped up and there will be one wrestling meet after the holiday break. The middle school band and choir concert will be held on December 20. The middle school will also be continuing to offer support for students who are struggling.
Elementary Principal Samantha Thornton reported that December 1 they held a Computer Science Night. Over 80 students and 50 family members attended the event. She thanked Ciara Snitker and the TLC Team for their coordination of the event. During Computer Science Week, middle school and high school students went to West Elementary to work with students and fifth graders at East Elementary and lead third graders in a computer science activity.
The PBIS team is working with Principal Thornton for a reboot of the expectations in common areas at West Elementary. Thornton will also be arranging walking assemblies to meet with classes at East in order to revisit expectations in common areas. They will be adding WIN (What I Need) time into the Kindergarten through fifth grade schedule. This will involve a 30-minute block each day to work on activities, interventions and extensions for students from teachers including Title I Reading, TAG and General Education. The East Elementary concert was held December 19.
ACSD Curriculum Director Kelli Olson noted in her report they did not have professional learning in December, but she did meet with teacher leaders and worked to gather staff thoughts and ideas for their Portrait of a Graduate. They are also working on their first virtual lab. Administrators, instructional coaches, Olson and Special Education Director Carissa Otto have been working on a book study of Evolving Education. This book highlights the “how” of the Portrait of a Graduate work in the classroom setting.
In her report, Otto noted that staff have been diligent with entering progress monitoring and making instructional decisions for IEP goals. They have been focusing on having quality discussion with parents and teachers and gathering data prior to IEP meetings. The district is also looking at updating its Developed Service Delivery Plan. Otto also highlighted the instruction and collaboration the special education teachers do.
Buildings and Grounds Director Bill Hennessy reported that they will be waxing hallways and doing deep cleaning during the winter break. The high school gym floor will also be waxed then. Hennessy also noted that he has been monitoring and keeping in contact with the engineering firm for the upcoming spring project. The firm has advised that lead times on some items could be an issue, but things are starting to ease up. Hennessy stated that he told the engineering firm to direct the contractor to order items as soon as possible to help alleviate long lead times.
Technology Director Andy Reichard reported that they have met with four vendors for the laptops and have narrowed their choice down to Dell machines. More than one vendor is quoting Dell, so they have competitive bids. He also commented that this fall has been very busy with laptop repairs and there are not a lot of “loaner” laptops. Reichard is also working on getting the new website up and running. The new snow emergency alert system is also up and running through the school website.
Food Service Director Jess Keenan reported that the first semester has been successful. She noted that she is thankful for the families who have made the adjustment to go back to paid meals, but also see the value in those meals. She said she is also thankful for her staff, and that they do an amazing job preparing healthy meals and connecting with students. She also thanked the custodians for their work that they do and the administration for being supportive.
Transportation Director Andrew Eberling reported that bus inspections went well. There were four vehicles with deficiencies, but those have been fixed. The buses have also all been checked over and are ready for winter weather, including replacing fuel filters, checking heating elements and putting new tires on some buses. He noted that his drivers have been doing a good job of keeping themselves healthy during this time of the year when there are a lot of events and also a lot of illness going around. He also noted they have done a great job dealing with icy and snowy roads these past couple weeks, in addition to keeping order on the buses.
There was no old business. Under new business, the board approved bids for selling a 28-passenger Chevy Express Bluebird bus, with the bid being awarded to Dan Liddiard for $3,675. The board also approved an SBRC request for MSA for At-Risk/Dropout Prevention in the amount of $316,377. A purchase order for a 12-foot enclosed 2023 Featherlite Trailer to be used by the CTE classes was also approved, in the amount of $10,438.60. This trailer will be better for student organizations transferring things to contests or conferences. It will be paid for by the Partners in Vocational Education Fund.
Specifications for the purchase of Dell laptops and Chromebooks were approved. The district is looking to purchase 415 student Windows laptops, 300 student Chromebooks and 130 teacher Windows laptops to replace the machines that are currently in use. Reichard has four vendors who are interested in bidding. Bids will be due February 10, 2023.
The board also approved the purchase of a 70-foot by 12-foot by 14-foot batting cage that will be housed in the Waukon Middle School gym. This will allow for athletes to practice at the school instead of having to take all of their equipment down to the Wellness Center. It will also leave the Wellness Center batting cages available if there is need for those as well. Principal Steege explained that this batting cage will be able to be lifted up to the ceiling of the gym when not in use. It will be funded by the softball club, baseball club and booster club.
Zach Christensen will provide labor and electrical work on the project. The cost will be $11,850. Steege noted that the gym is used for some practices now, but they have to be careful so they don’t hit anything or anyone and this batting cage will eliminate that risk. The board also approved specifications for asbestos removal for the Waukon Middle School HVAC project.
