ACSD Board of Directors holds re-organizational meeting for 2023-2024 school year, discusses performance reports
by Brianne Grimstad
The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met for a special meeting Tuesday, October 31. The single item on the agenda was the replacement of a main kitchen convection oven. The board approved the purchase of a new oven from Wilson Restaurant Supply for $15,049 to replace the oven.
Monday, November 20, the board met for its regular monthly meeting, first approving the consent agenda. During the Communications portion of the meeting, the board heard from the 1st Grade Professional Learning Team (PLT). They explained about how they assess if students are learning the materials and what they do to assist those who are in need of extra help to learn the material and those who have mastered the material.
In his report, Superintendent Jay Mathis gave an update on the Department of Education’s school performance report card for each of the buildings, something that is required annually. In 2022, West Elementary had a rating of Acceptable at 52.47; that score rose to 53.27 in 2023 and the school remained in the Acceptable range. East Elementary also remains in the Acceptable range, with a score of 52.47 in 2022 rising to 53.27 in 2023. Waukon Middle School had a Commendable rating of 59.74 in 2022, and that number remained nearly the same for 2023, with a score of 59.04. Waukon High School held a High Performance rating of 60.93 in 2022, but that rating changed to Commendable in 2023 with a score of 56.61. Mathis pointed out that none of the buildings in the ACSD require any support from the Department of Education. Complete results from the report are available at iaschoolperformance.gov.
Mathis advised that November 15, staff trained with the Iowa State Patrol and local law enforcement for response to an active shooter situation. He said invitations have been sent to Osage and North Fayette Valley to see if there is interest in joining the Northeast Iowa Conference (NEIC). Mathis said that with the departure of Waverly-Shell Rock, there will only be five schools in the conference at the end of this school year and that will make scheduling difficult.
Waukon High School Principal Jennifer Garin updated the board on the CTE house project. The construction class is working on shingling the house and installation of soffit, fascia and windows. The Welding and Electricity classes will be working on making two new score clocks for wrestling. Garin said that in November the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) did a food drive, decorated a tree for the Christmas Fantasy and raked lawns for Random Acts of Kindness.
FFA members attended the National FFA Conference in Indianapolis, IN. The Milk Quality and Products team competed at the National level against 39 other states and brought home a silver rating. The chapter also was recognized for its two-star rating in the National Chapter Award Program. An assembly was held November 10 for Veterans Day, with Chuck Bloxham speaking. Wednesday, November 22 there will be an Alumni Panel that will give students advice and answer questions.
Waukon High School Activities Director/Assistant Principal Brian Hilsabeck congratulated the fall activities participants on successful seasons. He also congratulated the musical cast and crew on great performances. The Middle School band and vocal concert will be December 4 and the High School concert will be December 11. Winter sports have started, and Hilsabeck reminded everyone that the NEIC season admission prices for winter activities are $6 for adults and $4 for kids. Tickets can be purchased online through the Bound app and are a flat fee.
Waukon Middle School Principal Luke Steege reported that they are into their winter sports schedules already, as well as the second quarter. Staff have been working to create lessons for students that are engaging and also help students better understand the curriculum. During the first quarter, there was a decline in the number of student failures. He also noted that they are happy with the results of their school report card rating. Steege credits the Commendable rating to the efforts of the teachers, paraeducators and other staff members.
East and West Elementary Principal Samantha Thornton noted in her report that they are using Keystone AEA Move Us Forward: Science and use FOSS kits as the main science curriculum. Derek Anderson, author, spent some time at East and West schools November 6 (see Page 9). The author commented that the students were “wonderful”.
Fifth grade students attended the Kindness Retreat at Village Creek Bible Camp, working with high school mentors. East Elementary will have its music concert in the Waukon High School gym December 12, which will include an art display from East Elementary students.
ACSD Curriculum Director Kelli Olson noted a busy past month, attending a conference and workshop, curriculum meetings and teacher leader meetings. The conference was the Iowa Technology Education Connection. Her team has also been having curriculum meetings with PK-12 staff in the areas of ELA, math, science and social studies. Olson continues to meet monthly with building principals, the special education director, instructional coaches and teacher leaders.
Special Education Director Carissa Otto informed the board that they continue to dig into the High Level Practice of Collaboration. Teachers are engaging in learning around the concept of Presuming Competency (all students can learn), inclusion and all students are general education students first.
She updated the board on the number of students in the district with Individual Education Plans. Otto also noted that they have started IDEA-DA data review. She also thanked the Area Education Agency (AEA) Core Team and Support staff for assistance with the special education HeadCount.
Buildings and Grounds Director Bill Hennessy noted that they are changing out light bulbs on some of the sports fields. The heating systems are working well in the buildings. Outdoor watering has been winterized, as well as the concession stand. The new entrance door by the Superintendent’s office should be installed in the next few weeks.
Technology Director Andy Reichard reported that there are 25 student computers at Sterling for repair. His department is making sure to reach out to parents when there is accidental damage to a student machine, so they are aware that any additional incidents within 12 months won’t be covered under the accident warranty. Reichard also said they are putting together information for the next copier lease, as well as creating a phone comparison matrix. The district will be extending the Internet contract with ICN for one year. His department is also getting budgetary numbers together for replacement of the five-year-old Dell Chromebooks at East, hopefully in the 2024-2025 school year.
Food Service Director Jess Keenan thanked the board for having a special meeting to approve the oven for the middle school kitchen, which has been delivered and installed, and the food service staff is happy to have the new oven. ACSD received another $8,000 in local food grants as well as an additional $1,000 to spend on local foods for completing a local foods survey. There will be a fourth-round payment for supply chain assistance. Keenan said her department has completed the request to accept that funding and hopes to receive the money soon. It will be spent on milk, as they are restricted as to what it can be spent on.
Keenan also informed the board the district has received the numbers for the Free and Reduced meals, and East Elementary reached 50.66%, which qualifies that building for free afterschool snacks from November 2023 to October 2024. ACSD will also be able to continue the Summer Feeding program into 2028, which she said is really exciting news. Keenan thanked the parents for filling out those surveys and Kay Gavin for her work in compiling the data.
Transportation Director Justin Piggott reported that state inspections were November 16. Elliot Evanson has been busy with tri-annual maintenance and daily repairs to keep the fleet running smoothly. The second passenger van was delivered and is in service. Drivers are being lined up to transport students for the upcoming winter sports season.
Under old business, the board approved the second reading of the following Board Policies: 503.8-Discipline of Students who Make Threats or Cause Incidents of Violence. The regular meeting then adjourned. This was also the last meeting for board member Brent Beyer, who chose not to run for re-election.
Following adjournment of the regular meeting, the board met for its re-organizational meeting. Board Secretary Jaime Curtin led the meeting until new officers were elected. Under new business, the meeting was called to order and a letter from the County Commissioner of Elections was read. The oath of office was administered to elected board members Erik Helgerson, Kelly Deeney and Beth Shafer. Al Rissman was voted as the board president, with Erik Helgerson being voted in as vice president. Both then completed their oath of office. Jaime Curtin was appointed as the board’s secretary/treasurer and also completed her oath.
The time and date for regular monthly board meetings was set at 5:30 p.m. the third Monday of each month. The Standard newspaper was named as the district’s official publication. The designated legal counsel is Ahlers and Cooney PC of Des Moines. The following depository banks were named: Waukon State Bank, $10,000,000; FreedomBank, $2,000,000; and ISJIT, $1,000,000.
The following appointments to various board committees were also made: School Improvement Advisory Committee, Beth Shafer; Negotiations, Al Rissman and Erik Helgerson; County Compensation, Scott Melcher; Wellness Committee, Kelly Deeney; Technology Committee, Al Rissman and Erik Helgerson; and Curriculum and Technical Advisory Committee, Scott Melcher.
The board approved advertising to accept bids on a 2007 Bluebird 65-passenger bus with 152,038 miles and a 2004 GMC 2500 Crew Cab Pick-Up Truck with 185,900 miles and including a 7.5’ Meyer Plow. Both vehicles will be sold “as is” and sealed bids can be returned to the ACSD District Office in person or mailed to 1059 3rd Ave NW, Waukon, IA 52172. Bids must be received by 2 p.m. December 11, 2023. The board approved specifications for a 60-passenger school bus, with bids to be returned to the District Office by December 11, 2023.
Discussion then moved to the purchase of a 2024 Chevy Trax, with a price tag of $25,500 from RW Pladsen, or a 2024 Jeep Compass Latitude LUX 4x4, with a cost of $33,215 from Torkelson’s. The board approved the purchase of the Trax.
The board also approved the open enrollment waiver process, which will allow the 90-day waiting period to be waived for athletes, on the condition both school districts agree to that. The board also approved extending the Internet lease with ICN for one more year, at a cost of $1,152 per month.
The first reading of the following Board Policies was approved: 401.1-Equal Employment Opportunity, 503.1-Student Conduct, 503.1R1-Student Suspension, 503.2-Expulsion, 503.8R1-Student Threats of Violence and Incidents of Violence Regulation, 605.3R1-Reconsideration of Instructional and Library Materials Regulation, 701.5R1-Financial Metrics.
Under the consent agenda, the following personnel were approved: Nancy Snitker as Licensed ASL Interpreter; John Papp as volunteer boys basketball coach; Jay Mathis and Kirby Jones as Level I Investigators for Child Abuse Reporting; Bill Shafer as Level II Child Abuse Reporting; Luke Steege as Equity Coordinator; Jennifer Garin as Title IX Officer; Jennifer Garin as Truancy Officer; Luke Steege as Section 504 Coordinator; Brian Hilsabeck as Homeless Liaison; Amy Wasson as Migrant Student Point of Contact; and Stacie Cooper as Foster Care Point of Contact. Resignations were accepted from Sofia Acosta from her elementary paraprofessional position and Ron Troendle from his route bus driver position.
An out-of-state field trip to Washington D.C. for eighth grade classes in late July and early August was approved for next summer. One open enrollment in and one open enrollment out of the district were approved. The board also approved a Student Teaching Agreement with Drake University and approved the Special Education Contracts. Six students were approved for early graduation, pending meeting all the requirements. The meeting then adjourned.
