PRINCIPAL, VOCAL INSTRUCTOR RESIGNATIONS PARAMOUNT AT BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

Upon the closure of Monday evening's regularly scheduled Allamakee Community School District Board of Education meeting, the board received the tendered resignation of Senior High Principal Patrick Heiderscheit. At this point, the board has taken no action concerning Mr. Heiderscheit's resignation, and information pending his action will be released at a later date.
Also present at the meeting and speaking in behalf of Tim Mitchell, recently resigned Senior High vocal instructor, was Vickie Larson, community resident.
In a May 9 letter to Omer Troyer, superintendent, Mr. Mitchell stated "increasing family health issues" as the motivating factor behind his departure from the district.
Larson stated to a crowded room her belief that Mr. Mitchell always carried the best interests of his students "at heart." She further cited the growth of the school's music program in his nine years of teaching.
She informed those attending that she would "have no reservations in placing my child in Mr. Mitchell's care." In her opinion, if Mr. Mitchell, at any point, made an "error of judgment," his exemplary record of achievement should be taken highly into consideration.
Discussion concerning Mr. Mitchell's resignation was brief yet varied. Senior High Principal Patrick Heiderscheit shared his belief that Mr. Mitchell's May 9 resignation was in the best interest of all involved. In closing, he stated that "we need to get past this issue tonight," upon which Mr. Mitchell's resignation was accepted by the board with no further discussion.
Updates on the security issues at the Jr. High and East Elementary were also discussed. Superintendent Troyer informed those attending that local law enforcement will monitor the building over the next "several days". Students choosing to remain home on May 17 are free to do so and may assume the day to be counted as a "grace day."
Superintendent Troyer made mention of National Board of Education Week, distributing certificates of service to the board and commending them for their committment and service to the Waukon community.
Test results from grades seven and eight Iowa Test of Basic Skills showed a score increase for both grade groupings. This year's seventh graders moved their composite score from last year's 223 to 240. In addition, the eighth grade overall state percentile grew from 33 to 54 percent, raising those students to the top half of the state-wide testing.
Principal Arnie Snook credits this year's test success to splitting the test into various sections, with subjects distributed to the teacher generally in charge of each respective academic area.
On May 26, 12:30 p.m., a coffee is to be held in the Senior High gym for all school destrict employees. Those achieving 15, 20, 25 or 30 years of service marks will be especially honored. This year's retiring personnel include Sylvia Bakke, 15 years; Gary Bristle, 30 years; Wayne C. Johnson, 16 years; Kenneth Lampman, 33 years; Tom Searcy, 27 years; and LaGertha Sherman, 24 years.
Those reaching 30 years of service during the current academic year are Everett Anderson, Marvin Ehm, Allene Gillespe, Dennis Schulte and Vernon Shogren.
The district has established a director of buildings and grounds position; Dennis Mahr, currently head building custodian, will assume the new position July 1. Among other duties, Mahr will train and manage attending personnel, maintain supply inventory and see that the district remains in compliance with all state mandates.
Pending budget adjustments, several school personnel will transfer duties within the district during the coming academic year. Transferring will be Darla Reed-Tinderholt, grade three reading specialist; Kerry Wacker, first grade, Waterville; Kelly Liddiard, grade two, Waterville; Jenny Keenan, grade six, Waterville; Julie Askelson, Waterville multi-categorical; Elizabeth Ketter-Norton, from grade five to six at East; and Rebecca Kramer, moving from grade four to five at East. After position redistribution, the district was forced to terminate one staff member's contract, and did so according to seniority.
The cheerleading advisory position currently served by Stacie Cooper will be split from one into two positions, due to the position's nearly year-round demands. Superintendent Troyer stated a strong desire to retain Cooper's service, terming her an asset to the cheerleading program.
The Board approved the new hires of Adrienne Moyer, Junior High vocal music instructor; Scott Ness, grade seven assistant football coach; Ted Snitker, grades eight and nine girls' softball coach; Don Thies, assistant golf coach; and Jessica Nilson, grade eight assistant volleyball coach.
Resignations were accepted from Joe Peters, assistant track coach; LaGertha Sherman, cook, retirement; Sylvia Bakke, cook, retirement; and Wayne Johnson, Jr. High custodian, retirement.
In other business, the recommendations of the Technology Committee reached board approval. Monies will be designated toward the purchase of computers within the school district.
Gretchen Stangeland will attend the National Association of School Nurses Conference to be held in Milwaukee, WI. Although a New Mexico school nurse has already received the national award, Superintendent Troyer reminded those present of Mrs. Stangeland's state nursing achievement and stated he felt her most deserving of conference attendance.
Support staff salaries were approved, as well as the high school handbook. Sunday, May 21 has been designated as the date for graduation, 2001.
A work session was held following the meeting to inform the board on progress within the Facilities Committee.