ACSD Board holds final meeting of current school year, sets fees, makes personnel decisions for 2025-2026 school year
by Brianne Grimstad
The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) school board met for its regular monthly meeting Monday, May 19. Under the Consent Agenda items, the following personnel recommendations were accepted (pending a satisfactory background check): Ben Pline, Social Studies PLC Leader; Randy Nordheim, JJV Volleyball Coach; John Papp, Volunteer Baseball Coach; Samantha Weigert, Elementary ELL/TAG Teacher; Megan Wise, Elementary General Music Teacher; Dani Bucknell, Assistant FBLA Adviser; Julie Lenth, English Language Arts PLC Teacher Leader; and Payton Dietzenbach, Middle School Year Book Advisor.
The board also accepted two resignations, one from Sarah Bieber from her Secondary Vocal Music Teacher and High School Musical Director positions, and one from Cassie Schellsmidt from Middle School Night Custodian. There were also several transfers: Justine Hesse from West Elementary paraprofessional to High School paraprofessional; Traci Byrnes from Instructional Coach to Title I Teacher; Ashley Knox from Elementary/Middle School Special Education to Middle School English; Shane Schellsmidt from Elementary/Middle School Special Education to High School Special Education; Dani Bucknell from Elementary Title I to High School Student Success Coordinator/At-Risk Interventionist; and Kelly Liddiard from Second Grade to Elementary Title I Teacher.
Three open enrollments into the district were approved. An Operational Sharing Agreement was also approved for a School Social Worker with Keystone Area Education Agency (AEA). The agreement with Keystone for a shared Special Education Director was tabled until next month.
The board approved the use of the high school football field, concession stand and bathrooms for the Fields of Faith event October 8 of this year. If inclement weather, the event will be held in the high school gym. The board also approved the Allamakee Community School Wellness Policy and a Student Teacher Agreement with Buena Vista University.
Board members were recognized for their dedication to ACSD during the Communications portion of the meeting. Board members were presented with certificates. The Teacher’s Association thanked the board members for their service to the district as well. The Student Services Professional Learning Community (PLC) gave a presentation to the board.
In his report, Superintendent Jay Mathis noted that legislators had been working to finish up their budget and property tax reform. However, the legislative session ended last week with no action on property tax reform. Mathis also highlighted some of the summer projects happening this year at various facilities, including the middle school gym and big gym at East Elementary being redone, concrete work for the CTE shed, sidewalk replacement and landscape edge work, replacement of water pipes between the middle school boiler room and kitchen, and sealing and repainting the lines on the parking lots.
Mathis also reported that the State Auditor’s Office had sent out a questionnaire to governmental entities asking about moving towards energy and cost savings. Each year, the survey is completed and ACSD earned a PIE (Public Innovation and Efficiency) award for its facility upgrades, including LED lighting, new windows and energy efficient heating and cooling systems.
Waukon High School Principal Jen Garin reported that the student-built house is almost complete. Students have been working on finishing up the “final touches” and cleaning up so the house is ready for move-in day. The welding class is also wrapping up its year. Recently, they manufactured a fire globe for After-Prom, six custom Waukon fire rings, 150 electric fence stands for a chicken barn, and more. Thirteen students earned their welding career pathway certificates. Students also participated in an end-of-the-year meeting where they had guided discussions with some of the program’s industry partners.
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