ACSD Board of Directors hears department updates, approves variety of personnel matters, and tables decision on baseball and softball dugouts
by Brianne Grimstad
The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) School Board met for its regular monthly meeting Monday night, October 20. Under the Consent Agenda, the following personnel were approved: Barbara Johnson, middle school paraprofessional; Jesse Peterson, head varsity co-ed bowling coach; Dani Bucknell, girls wrestling volunteer coach; Bob Wasson, 9th grade girls basketball coach; Andy Sires, 9th grade boys basketball coach; Melissa Ward, head varsity softball coach; Jacob Homp, 7th and 8th grade boys wrestling coach; Cheyenne Freilinger, elementary paraprofessional; and Jennifer Davis, elementary paraprofessional.
An out of state field trip for FFA members to attend the National Convention and Expo in Indianapolis, IN was approved. Three open enrollments out of the district were approved. Also approved under the Consent Agenda was a Student Teacher Agreement with Eastern Iowa Community College. An agreement with New Frontier Academy Day School was approved, for Special Education services, as were the members of the 2025 School Improvement Advisory Committee.
The Facility Use Agreement between ACSD and the Waukon Wrestling Club, Inc. was also approved. The board then heard a presentation from the Preschool Professional Learning Team.
In his comments to the board, ACSD Superintendent Jay Mathis thanked long-time board member Scott Melcher for his service to the district. Melcher has opted not to run for re-election this November. Mathis also noted that the district’s certified enrollment is down about 14 students. He noted that will impact revenues for next year, but added that the served enrollment has remained steady due to fewer students open enrolling out of the district and that will keep expenditures down.
Waukon High School Principal Jennifer Garin reported on the progress of the student-built house. The welding class held interviews for SkillsUSA officer positions, and the program also received a donation from Gemini again this year, with the class visiting Gemini next month for a field trip.
Thursday, October 9, the Waukon chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) held its Shop Downtown Waukon event, during which students partnered with local downtown businesses for learning opportunities. Friday, October 10, FBLA students had the opportunity to visit the University of Northern Iowa for Business College Visit Day. This past weekend, the FBLA held its Haunted Park fundraiser.
In FFA news, the Waukon High School’s District Soils Team placed ninth out of 32 teams. Wednesday, October 8, the FFA test plot was combined. The plot was planted with 10 different new Stine soybean varieties. Students will use collected data to compare and contrast the varieties to help make more informed decisions for future planting.
Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held at the high school Monday, October 27 and Tuesday, October 28 from 3:45-7:45 p.m., with the teachers taking a short break between 5:30-6 p.m. both days. Youth Frontiers retreats will be taking place October 28, 29 and 30. Principal Garin also noted that Waukon High School scored 721.59 points out of a possible 900 on the Iowa School Performance Profile and is the top-ranked high school in the state of Iowa. Principal Garin also talked about the upcoming Professional Development day.
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