Education

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors met at Kee High School in Lansing Wednesday, August 21 in an effort to avoid conflicting with the Monday, August 19 school board meeting in the Central Community School District, with which EACSD now shares the services of Superintendent Nick Trenkamp. Beginning with its September meeting (September 9), the board will be meeting the second Monday of each month in order to further avoid meeting schedule conflicts with Central Community.

The board approved the appointment of Heather Lutz as board member for Director District 2, replacing board member Tony Becker who has moved out of the school district. Board Secretary Michele Martin administered the oath of office to Lutz.

A total of 295 FFA exhibitors from across the state of Iowa competed in the FFA Market Swine Show Thursday, August 8 and Friday, August 9 at the 2024 Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. Types of swine exhibited included Crossbred Market Gilt, Crossbred Market Barrow and Purebred Market Swine.

Jenna Achenback of Woodward Granger FFA, Woodward, won Champion Purebred Market Swine (Yorkshire) honors, and Riley Stuecker of Central Lee FFA, Donnellson, was awarded Reserve Champion Purebred Market Swine (Duroc) accolades. Taylor Brinning of Washington FFA, Washington, was awarded Grand Champion Market Pig honors, and Hayden Fox of Belmond-Klemme FFA, Belmond, was judged to have exhibited the Reserve Grand Champion Market Pig.

Monday, August 19, the Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Board of Trustees named current NICC Acting President and Vice President of Finance and Administration, Dave Dahms, to the position of Interim President. The board’s decision was unanimous and Dahms will serve as Interim President for a maximum of two years, with a salary of $260,00 for the first year of his contract.

Over 1,000 entries were judged, with the top receiving honors, in the FFA Photography competition judged at the 2024 Iowa State Fair held in Des Moines August 8-18. The Postville FFA Chapter brought home the top Chapter Award among 10 other chapters listed as competing in that division.

Olivia Enyart of Postville FFA placed second in the Plants division of competition with her entry. Postville FFA’s Harlie Miller claimed top honors in the Iowa Farm Winter Scene category of competition.
 

For two area high school students, a summer credit healthcare program offered through Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) is paving the way for a successful nursing career.

Sofia Rivera, a senior at Turkey Valley High School, and Ezra Sweeney, a senior at Waukon High School, participated in the State of Iowa grant-funded Summer College Credit Program (SCCP). In Iowa, 15 community colleges participate in SCCP and offer a variety of career and technical education course options designed for high school students in grades 9-12. As a SCCP participant, NICC offers courses in healthcare.

As a high school student concurrently enrolled through NICC, Rivera completed Intro to Nutrition and Medical Terminology courses. Now she has a head start on her healthcare career and next January, she plans to enroll in pre-Nursing at NICC.

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.

The Allamakee County 4-H Council sponsored a School Supplies Drive to benefit the Allamakee County Relief Office at the 2024 Allamakee County Fair July 17-21. Supplies such as notebooks, crayons, glue sticks, book bags and more were collected through the duration of the fair. Over 210 items were donated to the Allamakee County Relief Office this year.

The Allamakee County 4-H Council would like to extend its appreciation to all who donated to the drive this year. For further information about the Allamakee County 4-H Program, contact Marissa Foels, Allamakee County Youth Coordinator at the Allamakee County Extension and Outreach Office at 563-568-6345.
 

By Jim Schipper
Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation Board Member

Many families turn to federal and private student loans, like those offered by Iowa Student Loan (ISL) Education Lending, to cover remaining college costs after savings, earnings and other financial aid. But the options for college financing can be confusing. Here are seven tips for finding the right loans for your family.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) is introducing two new Associate of Arts transfer degrees, Digital Media and Journalism, designed for students to earn their degree and/or transfer to a four-year university education or to advance their professional careers.

The new programs, established in partnership with several four-year universities, allow graduates to seamlessly transfer their credits into a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism. Graduates of the Journalism program at NICC may transfer to Drake University, Grand View University and the University of Northern Iowa. Digital Media graduates may transfer into the University of Northern Iowa’s program.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The Board of Directors of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) met at Kee High School in Lansing Monday, July 22 for its regular monthly session. The session was delayed a week from its usual third Monday of the month schedule in order to allow new EACSD Superintendent Nick Trenkamp the opportunity to attend, as the school board for the Central Community School District in Elkader that the EACSD is sharing Trenkamp’s services with also meets the third Monday of each month.

After the adoption of the agenda, the July consent items, minutes of the June meetings, bills for June and July, Secretary’s Financial Report for June, and the Activity and Food Service June report were approved. The board also approved the purchase of three 75” Interactive displays and rolling carts in the amount of $6,597 for New Albin Elementary School.