ACSD Board hears report on some district centers falling shy of NCLB proficiency goals

by Brianne Eilers

The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Monday night, August 19, coinciding with the first day of school in the ACSD. Board member Patty Fosaaen was absent.
Board Secretary Janice Rea reported that as of the first day of school count, the district’s enrollment is down 26 students, however, the final count isn't officially recorded until October. During his report, ACSD Superintendent Dave Herold noted that it was “a great first day of school.” He also informed the Board that the district is at 390,000 less photocopies this year, than at this time last year, which is a decrease of about 25%.
Herold also noted that the tax rate is down from a year ago. He noted that this has been made possible because of decisions made by the school board, and even through some uncertain times, the ACSD has been able to make decisions to lower tax rates, which Herold noted are lower than any rate he is aware of in north Iowa, right now. During the principals’ reports, all principals also reported that they had a great first day of school.
Ann Hart, East and West Elementary Schools Principal, noted that parent/teacher meetings will be coming up soon, as well as elementary math and reading assessments. Joe Griffith, Waterville Elementary/Waukon Junior High Principal, noted that they had seventh grade orientation last week, and he described it as “an important time for kids to transition.”
Waukon High School Assistant Principal Jennifer Garin thanked Dennis Mahr, director of maintenance and groundskeeping, for helping with summer projects, like getting the count-down play clocks installed at the football field and re-seeding projects completed. She also noted that the sports drink scrimmage is being held Friday, and Homecoming will be September 27 this year.
Waukon High School Principal Dan Diercks noted that the laptop check-out this year went smoothly. The ninth grade orientation last week had about 90% attendance. He also thanked the Board and the administration for the opportunity to be able to hire staff, some with a lot of experience and some that are younger.
Herold gave two PowerPoint presentations. The first was on proposed school reforms being discussed in Iowa legislation. The allowable growth funding, which will now be known as supplemental state aid, for Fiscal Year 2014 was two percent ($120 per student) plus two percent one-time funding. For FY15, it will be four percent ($245 per student).
Herold also discussed that job postings will be required to be posted on an online statewide posting system, in addition to any other avenues that the school districts choose to advertise. He also discussed incentives to keep teachers teaching in Iowa, as well as a task force to make recommendations on assessments and evaluations. Districts will also be choosing whether to go 1,080 hours or 180 days for an official school year. He explained as an example that if districts go hourly, they could possibly choose to go four days a week, for 10 hours a day.
Herold advised that all employees, and possibly volunteers working in the district, will undergo mandatory background checks when hired, in addition to every five years. He also discussed planning grants and funding for putting plans into place.

PROGRESS REPORT
Herold's second PowerPoint presentation was the Annual Yearly Progress report. Herold explained that No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requires schools to assess students annually and to meet achievement goals. Herold noted that so far, ACSD has met or exceeded these goals that were set by the United States Department of Education. Herold also explained that last year, the Junior High and East Elementary were on the “watch list”, but that last Thursday, the district was notified that the State formula was inaccurate, so the Junior High was removed from the list, but East Elementary was not.
East Elementary has also been designated as a School in Need of Assistance (SINA), because a portion of the students did not meet the proficiency goals for math for two consecutive years. He explained some of the action that will be taken in order to turn that around, and had this to say about the situation: “I want the Board and everyone in attendance to please understand that this step is in no way indicative of the school or teachers but is the eventual destination for all schools in America.”
Herold backed that statement up by the fact that in FY15, all schools will be required to have all of their students (100% of the student population) proficient in reading and math. He further explained that a letter will be sent to parents of students who attend East Elementary giving them the option to enroll their students at Waterville Elementary School, with the district providing transportation. District Title I funds will be set aside to help cover the cost of that parent choice, including transportation costs and supplemental services. There will also be additional funding available to help implement the improvement plan, but the amount has not been disclosed yet, and it will most likely not be enough to cover the requirements in place with NCLB.
ACSD is planning on implementing new math, a student learning menu, an extended day, professional development, individual teacher career plans, professional learning communities, and will be looking at options to hire additional staff to support math at the elementary level. ACSD is also on a “watch list” for Junior High reading, East Elementary reading and West Elementary math. The proficiency rates to be met for this current school year are 94%, and while ACSD has been meeting or exceeding the goals since 2002, the 94% and 100% goals are anticipated to present some difficulties.
Under old business, the Board approved the second readings of board policies dealing with equal employment opportunity, debt management and tobacco/nicotine free environment.
In new business, the Board accepted the resignations of Tharin Benson from his assistant junior high volleyball coaching position and CC Althoff from his special education para-educator position. The Board approved the transfer of Kari Burke from Waterville Elementary Secretary to East Elementary Secretary. The Board also approved the following hires, pending a background check: Shawn Nagel for Waterville Elementary Secretary (7 hours per day); Julie VanderVelden for Waterville Elementary Secretary (5.75 hours per day); Kristina Mark as a special education para-educator (5.75 hours per day); Bernice Fischels as a special education para-educator (5.75 hours per day); Beverly Krambeer as a para-educator at Waukon Senior High (5.75 hours per day); Gary Kerndt as a special education para-educator at Waukon Senior High (5.75 hours per day); Dave Hansmeier as head seventh grade wrestling coach, pending receipt of his coaching certificate; Mason Berns as  seventh grade assistant volleyball coach; Kathy Rea as eighth grade assistant volleyball coach; Ross Weymiller as a volunteer football coach; Ted Snitker as a volunteer football coach; Wayne Howe as a substitute bus driver, pending meeting bus driver requirements; Rose Blake for ISS Supervisor (4.5 hours per day, three days per week – as needed) and also as one hour per day with the 21stCentury Grant (five days per week - as needed); and the Board also approved staff for the 21st Century After School Programming. Board member Tim Waters abstained from voting on the issue of approving staff for the 21stCentury Grant.
In other matters, the Board approved the Treasurer’s Annual Cash Report. Bus routes for the 2013-2014 school year were also approved. There are currently 37 routes in the ACSD. The Board also voted in favor of keeping Gruhn Law Firm as the district’s attorney. The Board also approved a contract with NICC for concurrent courses.
One open enrollment application was denied on the grounds that it was not submitted on time and that the Board felt there was not good cause to warrant the open enrollment. Another request for open enrollment was approved, which Herold noted the district rarely does, but in this case, it was felt there were good qualifications to approve it.
The Board also approved a Teacher Quality/Professional Development Administrative Team, which will consist of Superintendent Herold and the principals of the various schools in the district. The Board approved the motion to hold the September board meeting at Waterville Elementary, as has been done in the past. Sunday usage of the football field by the Youth Sports Foundation was approved, as well as a Foreign Exchange Student attending ACSD.
The last item prior to adjournment was the resignation of board member Greg Byrnes, effective at the end of August. Herold thanked Byrnes for “his hard work and dedication,” adding, “We know that you care about the school and the kids in our schools.” Byrnes thanked the district, staff and his fellow board members for allowing him to have what he described as “a very rewarding experience.” Board president Al Rissman also thanked Byrnes for his service to the district. The remaining board members were given information about appointing someone within 30 days to fill the vacancy, and also about special elections, if needed.