ACSD Board of Directors hears final updates, takes care of final business matters prior to next week’s start of new school year
by Brianne Grimstad
The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) School Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Monday night, August 18. Under the Consent Agenda items, the board approved the following personnel: 2025-2026 Mentors and Kids Club staff; Virgil Johnson, School Bus Driver; Kloe Hemmersbach, Middle School Paraprofessional; Julie Lenth, EL Sharing Stipend; Marie Plein, Cook; Revised Paraprofessional Hours for Erin Thornton and Rob Johanningmeier; Rosalyn Samuelson, West Elementary Library Assistant and General Paraprofessional; and Rachel Noecker and Laura Iseli both as West Elementary Paraprofessionals. The board also accepted resignations from Penny Barr, Cook; Emma Hatlan, Paraprofessional; and Dustin Rounds, Varsity Softball Coach.
The board approved the transfer of Sarah Hagen from Assistant Musical Director to Musical Director and the transfer of Molly Woodard from Musical Director to Assistant Musical Director. One open enrollment out of the district was approved. The board also voted to renew the Head Start Food Service Agreement, as well as certify the Annual Treasurer’s Report.
Cooperative Agreements between Decorah, South Winneshiek, New Hampton, Postville, Crestwood, Turkey Valley, North Fayette Valley, MFL/MarMac and Waukon for boys swimming and girls swimming and diving were approved, as were Cooperative Agreements with Kee High School and Waukon for boys wrestling and girls wrestling, all for the 2025-2026 school year.
In his report, ACSD Superintendent Jay Mathis noted that new teacher training was scheduled to be held August 19 and Wednesday, August 20 is the day that staff returns. He also noted that the majority of the families in the district have been using the online registration option, but August 12 there was a help session for those that preferred in-person.
See Electric has begun work on the back-up generator. The middle school and East Elementary gym floors are finished and looking good. Mathis noted that they should plan to have the high school gym floor sanded and refinished next summer, also adding the Upper Iowa Conference logo at that time.
In her report, Waukon High School Principal Jen Garin noted that the CTE team completed the work to get Perkins and RPP funding for the 2025-2026 school year, and are waiting to hear what those allocations will be for ACSD. As of August 11, 57% of the returning students had been registered online. Garin also updated the board on Professional Development Days in August.
Picture day in the high school will be August 28. Garin also thanked the custodians for their work on the buildings over the summer and the cooks for their work during the Summer Feeding Program.
Brian Hilsabeck, Assistant Principal/Activities Director reported on numbers for the fall activities participation. Meet the Team Night is August 19. The first home football game is August 29 against Decorah. The first home volleyball game is September 2 against Kee and Riceville. September 23, the Waukon cross country teams will host their home meet at the Waukon Golf & Country Club.
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