ACSD Board of Directors hears concerns with bus availability, proposed change to unexcused absences and detention
by Brianne Eilers
The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Monday, November 21. Board Secretary Jaime Curtin noted that the audit for the district has been rescheduled to the first part of December.
During his Superintendent’s report, Dave Herold informed the Board that the district had received preliminary costs for replacing the middle school gym heating and cooling system. He noted that the current system is not very energy efficient. The Board will make a decision at a special meeting scheduled for December 5.
Herold also said he met with Kristi Hager, who was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives earlier this month. A few of the issues he spoke with her about included school funding being approved on time, transportation and the CTE and NICC partnership, among other things.
Board President Al Rissman informed the Board members about his recent trip to the Iowa School Board Association convention. He noted that one topic of interest was the Promise of Iowa, which is a public education support campaign.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
During the Principals’ Reports, Waterville Elementary Principal Julie Askelson said the staff is working on interventions and progress monitoring with the Early Literacy Intervention (ELI) initiative. In October, students enjoyed a visit from the law enforcement canine. Askelson also thanked East and West Elementary Principal Joe Griffith for including Waterville students in a Switchback concert. She also thanked Middle School Principal Jennifer Garin for arranging for transportation to have middle school trumpet players to attend the Veterans Day Program in Waterville to play “Taps”. The program also included a video montage and presentation of nine Quilts of Valor. Askelson noted that the Waterville Elementary concert is scheduled for December 1 at 7 p.m.
Principal Griffith noted that there are many winter activities coming up at East and West Elementary schools, including their holiday concerts. He said East will have its concert December 5 at 7 p.m., and West will hold its concert December 6 at 2 p.m. for First and Second grade students. The Kindergarten students will have their concert December 14 at 2 p.m., and the pre-school concert will be at 2 p.m. December 16.
Principal Garin reported that they are also working on the ELI Initiative with the sixth grade students. She said Middle School parent/teacher conference attendance was 58%, and she noted the Middle School holiday concert is December 8 at 7 p.m.
Dr. Mike Hardy, Waukon High School Principal, explained that he would be giving the report for Activities Director Brian Hilsabeck, as the Hilsabecks recently welcomed a new baby into their family. Dr. Hardy noted that there are 107 students out for winter activities between the boys and girls basketball, boys and girls bowling and wrestling programs. Hardy said the high school holiday concert will be December 12 at 7 p.m. and that semester tests at the high school will be December 20, 21 and 22.
Curriculum Director Gretchen DeVore discussed the upcoming STEM Night, noting that the students will facilitate centers in an open house setting. Some of the activities will include snap circuits, green screen filming, stop-motion animation, 3-D prints and more. Kindergarten through eighth grade students and their parents can attend, and there will also be ideas for activities that families can try at home.
DeVore also touched on Smarter Balanced training, noting, however, that some things are still uncertain. She noted that they are not sure what the test will look like with Smarter Balanced and will have to determine the best way to prepare students. She explained that the testing will be more involved than reading a question and answering with multiple choice. Students will have to use problem solving skills and type an answer into the computer. She also said the State of Iowa has not yet chosen a vendor to produce the test.
During the Buildings and Grounds report, department head Bill Hennessy noted that there is a leaking water main at the Middle School that will be repaired over Christmas break. Program Director for the 21st Century program, Barb Winters-Kelly, noted that her department has been busy with Federal, State and local reports.
Technology Director Shawn Gordon also touched on the issues with Smarter Balanced, saying that with no vendor to make the test, it is hard to gear the district’s technology to the program. Gordon noted that to take the tests, students will need a screen with a keyboard attached, further noting that while ACSD was not planning on using iPads for testing, other districts have been and that would be a problem. Gordon also informed the Board that he and other staff attended the Midwest Google Summit at the Wisconsin Dells, and it was a good experience.
COMMUNICATIONS TIME
During the communications time at the meeting, Northeast Iowa Community College Waukon Center Director Erica Nosbisch and Allamakee County Economic Development Executive Director Val Reinke talked with the Board regarding the CTE Partnership Board. This Board brings together businesses, educators and other community members.
Middle School teacher Ciara Mahr gave a presentation on 3-D printing and how the sixth grade technology classes are using them as part of their curriculum. Middle School teacher Ben Rausch also gave a presentation on robotics and how the seventh and eighth grader technology classes in the Waukon Middle School are using them within their learning process.
PARENTAL CONCERNS WITH BUSING
During the portion of the meeting where visitors may address the Board on an item not on the agenda, Joyce Bosley was present to convey her questions and concerns regarding her daughter not being able to ride a school bus. Bosley explained that she and her husband can’t always pick up their daughter from school, and some days she has to walk a little over a mile with a book bag, laptop bag and musical instrument. Bosley said that she didn’t understand why their daughter can’t ride a school bus, when there is a route a block away from their home, especially in the winter time. She asked the Board to look into the matter or let her know who she could talk to about the matter.
Under old business, the Board approved the second reading of the following board policies: 402.2-Child Abuse Reporting, 501.16-Homeless Children and Youth, 502.6-Weapons, 503.1-Student Conduct, 505.4-Testing Program, 505.8-Parent and Family Engagement.
Under personnel matters, the Board approved staff for the 21st Century After School Program. The Board also approved a recommendation to transfer Earl Zezulka, Jr. from High School night custodian to East Elementary day custodian. The Board also gave its approval to the hiring of Greg Gordon as a full-time custodian and Brad Larkin as a part-time custodian.
With the athletics realm, the Board approved John Papp as volunteer assistant boys basketball coach. The board also approved Jacob Ronan as ninth grade boys basketball coach.
The Board approved the resignation of Shawn Nagel from her position as a secretary at Waterville Elementary School, effective December 2, 2016, due to taking a different job.
Superintendent Herold thanked her for her work in the district.
The discussion then turned to bids for two 65-passenger school buses. Transportation Director Randy Nordheim noted that his department had received three bids, and his recommendation was to go with the bid from School Bus Sales for $85,303 for each bus. Nordheim explained that he preferred the Bluebird buses from School Bus Sales for several reasons, including the fact that they have front air ride and free parts delivery. The district has several Bluebird buses, and they also stock some parts at the garage. The Board accepted his recommendation.
The Board then approved the Allamakee Community School Wellness Policy. Superintendent Herold noted that the policy is basically the same as previous, with a few name and date changes. The Board also approved the transfer of title for the Athletic Booster Club trailer.
Two students were approved for early graduation, pending they meet all requirements. The Board then approved the water service replacement project for the Middle School from Casper Plbg. & Htg. Inc. for the sum of a budget of $8,956.00-$9,556.00. The Board also accepted the recommendation of Building and Grounds Director Bill Hennessy on a new commercial washer from Century Laundry Distributing for $7,221.00.
Approval was also given by the Board to a bid from Casper Plbg. & Htg. Inc. for West Elementary boys bathroom repairs for $5,500.00. The Board then approved Sunday usage of the High School cafeteria, gym, locker rooms, library, auditorium and wrestling room for the Waukon Youth Wrestling Tournament to be held January 29, 2017.
Approval by the Board was also granted for fundraisers for the Shrine Bowl Cheerleaders. Four Waukon High School cheerleaders were selected to participate in the Shrine Bowl July 29 of next year, and they must raise $800 per person. That $3,200 in funds raised will go to the Shriners Children Hospital. The cheerleaders asked for permission to set up buckets at four selected girls and boys basketball games, as well as the Northeast Iowa Conference wrestling meet being hosted by Waukon High School. The cheerleaders would also would like to have a bake sale and go to local businesses and sell ads for the Shriner booklet.
The Board also approved fundraisers for the FFA Meats Team, which qualified for the National Show in Denver, CO. Fundraising ideas include raffling for a hog or steer, candy bar sales and partnering with Hardees for a breakfast buffet.
PROPOSED CHANGE IN UNEXCUSED ABSENCES AND DETENTIONS POLICY
The Board discussed changes in the high school unexcused absences and detention policies. Dr. Hardy asked that the Board approve the changes and they be implemented for the second semester. The changes in the unexcused absence would include that parents contact the principal’s office before 12 p.m. on the day of the absence or provide a written note prior to the absence. Currently, parents and guardians have 48 hours to contact the school. Dr. Hardy noted that the school also tries to get ahold of parents on the first day of the absence. If no call or note is provided by that time, the absence is unexcused.
With the detentions, a student with one detention would have two days to serve it. A student with two detentions would have three days to serve the detention. Multiple detentions would be served on consecutive days. Dr. Hardy explained that the absence policy needs to be changed to have a tighter timeframe to get absences taken care of.
Board member Tom Baxter stated that this was the first the Board had heard about this change in policy, and said he felt that the policy should not be changed in the middle of the school year. Board member Tim Waters agreed that the change should come next fall at the beginning of the school year.
Board member Patty Nordheim asked if there was something that had changed to prompt this action. Dr. Hardy said it can take up to four days to get the unexcused absence slips, and that he had been looking for a way to make things easier and quicker for getting unexcused absences taken care of. The Board ultimately decided not to make a decision on this change, and asked that it be brought before them again at the beginning of the next school year.
