ACSD Board of Directors addresses variety of matters in regular session

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee  Community School   District (ACSD) Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Monday night, April 21. In his report, ACSD Superintendent Dave Herold noted that school lunch counts are up from last year. He also gave the Board some statistics from the Project SEALED program, which is a program where dental students from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry come to the schools in the ACSD and Postville district to perform cleanings, screenings, sealants and fluoride varnishes at no cost to students.
Ann Hart, East and  West Elementary Schools Principal, noted that in Allamakee County a large portion of the population qualifies for Medicaid, but dentists in the area are “full” and can’t take on additional Medicaid clients, so if students need more involved work, such as an extraction, they usually have to go farther away, like Oelwein, Dubuque or Iowa City.
The school district has received a $10,000 grant, part of which was matched with an additional $5,000 by the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, which will purchase an x-ray machine and would allow dentistry students to perform these more in-depth procedures at the schools as well.
Hart also noted that Muffins with Mom is coming up this Friday at West Elementary, and that there is also a spell-a-thon coming up. Waterville Elementary and Waukon Junior High Schools Principal Joe Griffith noted that preparations are being made for sixth grade students to visit the junior high to learn about the transition to seventh grade, which he noted is done to help alleviate some of the anxiety students may have about entering junior high.
Waukon High School Activities Director and Assistant Principal Jennifer Garin noted that there are lots of activities happening, and that they are hoping the weather cooperates to get as many of the golf and track meets in as they can. She also noted that the spring play is coming up this weekend. There are also many awards banquets, concerts and Prom in the coming month.
Waukon High School Principal Dan Diercks noted that there are 17 days left of school for seniors. Graduation is Sunday, May 18. There was also discussion about opening up the Waukon FFA test plot for public viewing, which will be scheduled for the fall as opposed to this spring due to the fact that spring is a busy time for farmers and those in the ag industry in our area, and if the viewing is done in the fall, there will be actual crops grown instead of bare ground to look at. The Ag department’s green house is also in full swing, with plant sales starting May 1 and details available on the Waukon High School agriculture department website.
In other reports, Food Service Director Julie Magner noted that the district has purchased 250 pounds of locally-produced beef which was processed at Quillin's and will be served this week in the school lunch program.
Nathan Todd updated the Board on some of the upcoming summer activities for the Junior and Senior High 21st Century program. Students can look forward to projects such as building raised bed gardens in the courtyard at the high school and skill-building activities. Trips are also planned to the House on the Rock, Living History Farms and the University of Minnesota to meet with the head football coach and players, as well as to visit the Sea Life Aquarium, where students will also spend the night.
Herold gave a presentation on ITED and ITBS scores, now known as Iowa Assessments. He discussed the fact that 2014 is the year for 100% proficiency in the No Child Left Behind Act, and that nearly all, if not all, Iowa school districts will get a failing grade from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In 2012, the State of Iowa tried to join 42 other states in getting a waiver, but was denied on the grounds that Iowa does not tie students’ scores to teacher evaluation. Herold showed many comparisons by grade, by sub-group and also tracking the same class, over a three- to four-year period of testing. Most areas showed improvements in scores, but there are always a few "hiccups".
Herold noted that the free and reduced lunch group’s proficiency scores were “very good.” He also said that the overall scores were good as well. The information will also allow staff and teachers to examine the areas that are weak and work on improvement.
Peyton Wacker, business education instructor at Waukon High School, gave a presentation on the 3-D printer the school purchased, explaining how it works and the applications it can be used for, both in the school and how it is being utilized in the “real world”. She also explained that they will be adding a financial aspect to her curriculum, which will give students “real life scenarios” to teach them how to manage money and help them learn to budget.
Under personnel matters, the Board accepted the resignations of Camie Treptau from her assistant musical director position and Scott Ness from his assistant football coaching position. The Board approved 21st Century After School Programming staff, with all staff approvals pending a background check, as well as hiring Andy Sires as head girls basketball coach, Bob Wasson as head girls track coach, Ted Snitker as volunteer softball coach, Daneshia Snitker as volunteer softball coach, pending receipt of coaching certificate, and Jordan Wolfe as volunteer baseball coach, also pending receipt of coaching certificate.
The Board approved the list of high school graduates, pending their meeting of all requirements. A date of May 19 at 7 p.m. was set for a public hearing to amend the 2013-2014 budget. Board Secretary Janice Rea explained that it has to do with the deletion of a line item. The Board also accepted the transportation agreement report of Keystone. The Technology Budget was approved, and technology director Shawn Gordon was on hand to explain what the technology department is planning for the next five years in order to replace things and keep all buildings running on compatible programs.
Numerous summer projects were approved, including door repairs and replacements, painting, roof replacements and maintenance, signage, fire alarm system repairs and replacements, and more.
The Board also approved the IAEP cooperative purchasing for the school food program. Superintendent Herold noted that 306 schools and districts participate in that, which does help save ACSD a lot of money. “It gives us buying power,” he noted. The Board also approved the Solution Tree In-Service Contract.
Sunday open gym for boys basketball was also approved. The Board approved a trip for the Waukon FFA to attend the State Convention in Ames, with students leaving April 27. Out-of-state field trips were approved for Waterville fourth through sixth graders and the 21st Century program. Fundraisers were also approved for the Volleyball Club and Wrestling Club.