ACSD Board of Directors hears about new State of Iowa guidelines for chronic absenteeism and truancy, made aware of resignation of board member Al Rissman
by Brianne Grimstad
The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) School Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Monday, August 19. Under the Consent Agenda, the following personnel hires were approved (pending satisfactory background check): Jacob Homp, Elementary Night Custodian; Randy Nordheim, Volunteer Volleyball Coach; Ashley Dougherty, Volunteer Volleyball Coach; Kate-Leigh Fossum, Volunteer Cheer Coach; Adam Sacquitne, Substitute Bus Driver; and 2024-2025 Kids Club Workers. The resignation of Stephanie Radloff from her High School Paraprofessional position was also approved.
There were several open enrollments out of the district approved. Agreements between Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) and ACSD for the 2024-2025 NICC Concurrent Enrollment and Health Occupations Consortium were approved under the Consent Agenda, as was the NICC Welding Program Memorandum of Understanding and the Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) Athletic Trainer Agreement. The ACSD Annual Treasurer’s Report was also approved.
During the Communications time, the new staff members of ACSD introduced themselves. In his report, Superintendent Jay Mathis noted that during the summer break, there was some concrete work done at West Elementary School, which should help reduce the mud that gets tracked into the building. The basement has been poured for the student-built house project.
Monday was also orientation day for the new teachers and Mathis said he “is very happy with the quality of our staff that are ready to serve our students.” There has been no word yet on the Upper Iowa Conference and Decorah Community School District. Fall practices have started for high school athletes. Mathis also noted that they have received word that starting in 2025-2026, boys golf and girls tennis will be fall sports instead of spring.
Waukon High School Principal Jennifer Garin noted in her report that the Career & Technical Education (CTE) team is working with the Area Education Agency (AEA) to complete the steps to acquire Perkins and Research-Practice Partnership (RPP) funding. There will be a Vocational Partners meeting in September. The Attendance Policy in the Waukon High School Student Handbook has been updated regarding chronic absenteeism, truancy and make-up work.
Garin also updated the board on Professional Development days leading up to the start of school this Friday, August 23. Picture day at the high school will be August 29 in the high school gym. She thanked the custodians and the Food Service workers for the work they have done this summer. Orientation Night for new high school students is going to be this Wednesday, August 21 at 6:30 p.m.
In his report, Activities Director/Assistant Principal Brian Hilsabeck gave the board preliminary participation numbers for fall sports for grades 9-12. The first home football game will be August 30 and Waukon will host Decorah. The first home volleyball game is August 27 against North Fayette Valley. The home cross country meet will be September 24 at the Waukon Country Club.
Hilsabeck also thanked everyone involved from the Veterans Memorial Hospital Clinic for offering the free physicals and screenings to students in July. He thanked the custodial staff for their work getting the buildings and grounds ready for the new school year. He also thanked the secretaries for working with the implementation of Bound, which he said would be an asset for the community and school as “one stop information shop.”
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