Education

by Brianne Grimstad

Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Education Negotiations Committee members Allan Rissman and Erik Helgerson, along with ACSD Superintendent Jay Mathis, met Wednesday, March 1 with members of the Allamakee Community Education Association (ACEA) Negotiations Team of Jed Hemann, Lisa Snitker and Kelly Liddiard. Hemann gave the presentation for the  ACEA for the 2023-2024 contract year. The negotiations began with the request of an increase of $1,250 in salary base to $33,685. The Association also suggested a one-year agreement on the salary schedule.

Three area high school students have been selected as individual performers at the Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA) All-State Speech Festival being held Monday, March 27 on the University of Northern Iowa campus in Cedar Falls. The trio of students were selected based on their performances at the Northeast State Individual Speech Contest held Saturday, March 11 at Starmont High School.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering an Adult Springtime Painting Party class Tuesday, April 4 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, located at 1220 3rd Ave NW.

Welcome the warmth of Spring with a pleasant evening of painting. Capture the energy, fresh color, rejuvenation and vibes of the season of renewal. Instructor Ava Shively will provide step-by-step, easy to follow guidance as participants create the next Claude Monet masterpiece. No experience is necessary to participate, and all skill levels are welcome. All supplies will be provided.

The deadline for paid registration is March 28. To register online visit www.nicc.edu/waukon or call NICC Waukon center at 844-642-2338, ext. 6700.
 

In 2022, the Lansing Area Women in Business organization awarded its first scholarship to Abby Wood, a senior who graduated from Kee High School in the Eastern Allamakee Community School District last spring, recognizing her aspirations in the computer sciences field. In 2023, the entrepreneurship scholarship will again be available to a graduating senior. Interested students can obtain a scholarship application at the Kee High School office and the deadline for scholarship application is April 14 of this year.

Lansing Area Women in Business was formed in 2019 as an organization to support the efforts of all women in the region who strive to create economic value in the local economy or support those who do.  Funds raised for the scholarship come from two of the organization’s annual fund-raising events: an annual September Fall Fashion show featuring clothing, products and services offered by area retailers; and the Sip of Lansing held each year in the month of October.

Allamakee Scholarship Fund, Inc. will hold a Recognition Breakfast Thursday, April 6 at 7:30 a.m. in the Waukon High School cafeteria. Applicants and their parents will be special guests. The breakfast is being held to express appreciation to individual and group donors and to recognize student applicants.

Pledges from the recent scholarship fundraising mailing can be turned in at that time or mailed to Allamakee Scholarship Fund, Inc., P.O. Box 144, Waukon, IA 52172. Organizations and other scholarship donors need to have awards to Allamakee Scholarship Fund Treasurer Amy McCormick at Waukon State Bank by that date also, and Awards Program information can be verified with Guidance Counselor Amy Wasson at Waukon High School. Individuals, families and organizations awarding scholarships this May are encouraged to attend.
 

The Allamakee County Conservation Foundation (ACCF) is offering scholarship opportunities for graduating seniors who will be attending a college or university pursuing a degree in natural resources or a related field. One $500 scholarship will be offered to a senior from each of the area high schools in Allamakee County; Postville, Waukon and Kee.
Students who would like to apply for the scholarship are encouraged to visit www.allamakeecountyconservation.org, the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center, or their school’s guidance counselor for an application. Applications will be accepted until April 1 and recipients will be notified by May 2.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors held a pair of recent sessions within a month’s time of one another. A special meeting of the EACSD Board was held Monday, January 23. The one item of business proposed was to approve a Spanish Waiver for the 2022-2023 school year. This would allow Kee High School to not have to offer Spanish 3 and 4 due to no enrollment for the remainder of the current school year. The board approved this action unanimously.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Business and Community Solutions is offering a Mini-STEAM Camp K-5th Grade class Wednesday, March 15 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the NICC Waukon Center, 1220 3rd Ave NW. Keep kids engaged on the day off from school by signing them up for a mini-STEAM camp. Kindergartners through fifth graders will be doing Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math activities. Snacks and supplies are provided. Participants should bring a sack lunch.

The deadline for paid registration is March 8. To register online visit www.nicc.edu/waukon or call NICC Waukon center at 844-642-2338, ext. 6700.
 

The upcoming implementation of the FAFSA Simplification Act will streamline the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process and increase the number of Iowans eligible to receive Pell grants. However, according to a recently published report by Iowa College Aid, the act may also negatively impact some Iowans’ financial aid eligibility. Those most likely to be negatively affected by this change include farm owners, small business owners, and families with multiple students in college. The report, titled “The FAFSA Simplification Act: Policy Simulations and Implications for State Aid Programs,” models the effects of changes coming to the FAFSA starting October 1 of this year. “The FAFSA Simplification Act is certainly a step in the right direction to make postsecondary education more affordable and accessible,” said Iowa College Aid executive director Dr. Mark Wiederspan.

by Brianne Grimstad

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met Tuesday, February 21 due to the fact that there was no school Monday, February 20 because of the President’s Day holiday. The meeting began with a Public Hearing on the 2023-2024 School Calendar. No written or oral comments were heard.

Under the consent agenda, the following personnel matters were approved: Kids Club staff and hiring Allison Hagensick as West Elementary Special Education Teacher. The following transfers were approved: Mason Berns to At Risk Interventionist/Student Success Coordinator; Quinn Brennan to Sixth Grade Teacher; and Stacy Miner to Middle School Special Education Teacher. Two open enrollments out of the district were approved, as well as one open enrollment into the district. The board also approved a contract for Special Education service with the MFL/MarMac Community School District.