EACSD Board hears presentations from Keystone AEA leadership that include mental health matters; Board discusses personnel, finances and other matters as new school year begins this Friday

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) Board of Directors held its regular meeting Monday, August 19. All of the board members were present.

Audience comments included presentations by Keystone Area Education Agency (AEA) board member Dr. Bill Withers, as well as Keystone AEA Executive Director Pat Heiderscheit. Both gave a brief summary about the social, emotional, behavior, mental health program that is underway in Iowa for students. They noted that mental health has been neglected for many years, but recent tragic events have brought the needs for improved mental health programming to the forefront.

Heiderscheit enumerated some of the programs that Keystone has  initiated. The program for the entire state began with $2 million in funding for improvement in pupils’ mental health, which results in approximately $4 per student in Iowa. Heiderscheit hopes that more funds will be appropriated.

Keystone’s role in years to come, if there is funding, will be a conduit for the area school districts. Keystone’s current program included a two-day workshop in August with Dr. Shannon Suldo, a professor in school psychology from the University of South Florida. The presentation centered on best practices for the promotion of student complete mental health.

Another aspect of the program has been to facilitate trainers for Youth Mental Health First Aid. These trainers will teach others how to recognize common warning signs for students undergoing anxiety, depression, substance use disorders, psychosis, disruptive behavior and eating disorders.

The third component was to sponsor an “All In” summer education conference in Dubuque featuring sessions on how to improve instruction, student learning and teacher thinking within the context of a trauma sensitive school. The fourth component of the program is to assist schools to ensure that they have created quality emergency operation contingency plans to prepare for any type of emergency situation.

The EACSD has been actively involved in several of these workshops within the past year. The EACSD has participated in the workshop training for mental health first aid, which is an eight-hour class. There will be follow-up to several of these workshops.

It has been noted that every student needs to have training in suicide prevention and awareness. Several districts will be sharing a social worker as well, and that may be a possibility for EACSD in the future.

The board approved the 28E Agreement with Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) for concurrent courses. The board also approved the School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) members for the 2019-2020 school year as follows: Sandy and Daryl Gruber, Val Reinke, Teresa Severson, Tracy and Darcy Dibert, Suzanne Herman, Jeannine Hisel, Heather Schulte, Dale Crozier, Chad Steckel and Mary Hogan.

The board also approved the revised joint sharing agreement with MFL/MarMac for the Superintendent’s contract. Minor changes included a salary increase, a clause including approval by the EACSD Board if additional expenses are incurred, and a clarification of leave time. The contract stipulates that a minimum time allocation of 20% will be allocated for the Eastern Allamakee Community School District.

The board accepted the resignation of Patrick Sullivan as boys head varsity basketball coach and approved a JV baseball coach contract for Quinn Brennan. The board also approved the Treasurer’s report, noting that the fiscal year’s account was slightly ahead of last year in the General Fund.

The board approved the appointment of the same attorneys for the school district, including Brian Gruhn Law Firm of Cedar Rapids and Lynch Dallas of Cedar Rapids. Occasionally, another firm is used for bond issues, Swisher and Cohort of Waterloo, to conduct that legal business for the district.

The board approved the current Board Secretaries/Business Managers, Marian Verdon and Janet Heiderscheit, to remain in their positions. Next, the board approved the treasurer’s report and bank depositories for the upcoming fiscal year, including Kerndt Brothers Bank, New Albin Savings Bank, Iowa School Cash Anticipation Program of Des Moines, Iowa Schools Joint Investment Trust of Des Moines and Bankers Trust Company of Des Moines.

New Albin Elementary School Chad Steckel reported that there currently are 20 students for pre-school. The pre-school teacher, Mrs. Troendle, is finishing up home visits. If any additional students need this service, they will be placed on a waiting list. The New Albin Elementary School gym floor is being done this week and new phones have been installed in the elementary school building. Locker night is this Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. in both Lansing and New Albin.

Kee Middle School/High School Principal Mary Hogan reported that Professional Development is being completed. The new Spanish teacher is quickly becoming acclimated. School begins this Friday, August 23 and there will be an early release at 1 p.m. in New Albin and 1:30 p.m. in Lansing.

EACSD Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier reported that the Rural School Advocates is working actively on several issues. He noted that the biggest accomplishment is the rollover/continuation of the state sales tax until 2021. This will help to generate continued funds for schools.

Dr. Crozier said this year’s General Fund was about $200,000 more than last year’s, but the district needs to plan ahead for upcoming years where enrollment will be lower. He advised that the district may need to put another revenue purpose statement on the regular election ballot in about two years so it covers any instances if the district would want to borrow any money in the future.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be held September 16 at 7 p.m.