ACSD Board of Directors hears audit report for Fiscal Year 2023, approves concrete bid for new CTE shed, purchase of chimes for Music Department
by Brianne Grimstad
The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors held its regular monthly meeting Monday, October 21. Under the Consent Agenda, the following personnel matters were approved: Jasmin Lazzell and Justine Hesse as full-time Elementary Paraprofessionals. The board accepted the resignations of custodian Arnie Onsager and paraprofessional Joleen Reeg. The board also approved the transfer of Jacob Homp from East/West Elementary Schools Night Custodian to Middle School Night Custodian.
There was one open enrollment out of the district and one open enrollment in approved. The board also approved the following School Improvement Advisory Committee members: Beth Shafer (school board); Jay Mathis, Jen Garin, Brian Hilsabeck, Luke Steege, Samantha Thornton, Kelli Olson, Carissa Otto, and Andy Reichard (ACSD administrators); Shira Gebel - AEA and Erica Nosbisch - NICC (working partners); Amy Wasson, Julie Lenth, Traci Byrnes, Michele Pladsen, Ciara Snitker, Jen Hemann, Sara Retallick, Gail Hilleshiem, Tess Hawes, and Micah Decker (ACSD staff); Stef Perkins, Heather Homewood, Bill Van Gorp, Mike Hagensick, Amy McCormick, Molly Haberichter, Melissa Wedo, and Michele Mikkelson (parents); and Zach Perkins, Ella Homewood, Hayden Van Gorp, Leo McCormick, Kayden Haberichter, Kendyl Wedo and Hayden Mikkelson (students).
The board also approved renewing the Waukon Wrestling Club Facility Usage Agreement and New Frontier Academy Day School Agreements.
During the Communications time of the meeting, the board heard a presentation from the Fourth Grade Professional Learning Community (PLC). Teachers Melissa Burroughs, Courtney Hirth, Laiton Ihde and Katie Hoppel discussed how they have departmentalized and what they feel the benefits of that are, including being able to delve into subjects more deeply, meeting more students. They also have found out that they have been able to better manage their time and students can improve on communicating as they have to adapt to different teaching styles.
ACSD Superintendent Jay Mathis reported that it appears ACSD is down four students for the Certified Enrollment. He noted that a stable enrollment is a positive thing and that this is also referred to as Budget Enrollment because it is closely tied with the district’s budget and spending authority. The student-built house is coming along quickly. The first quarter ended October 18 and Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for October 28 and 29.
Waukon High School Principal Jen Garin reported welding students will be interviewing with industry professionals to determine officer positions for the Skills USA chapter. She said 35 students attended a field trip to Elkader to tour Mobile Track Solutions and the welding class will also be touring Featherlite and will be able to experience the JB Holland heavy equipment simulator.
FBLA students participated in their first Shop Downtown Waukon event, working alongside Waukon business owners to learn what it’s like to have a retail business. The Haunted Park will be taking place this Saturday, October 26. Waukon FBLA will again host the District Leadership Conference in January 2025.
September 30, 14 students participated in the Northeast District FFA Greenhand Fire Up Conference, where they learned more about FFA and participated in workshops. FFA members are also getting ready for the 97th National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, IN. The national qualifying Agronomy team will compete there.
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