ACSD Board of Directors approves legislative priorities for 2024, as well as numerous security improvements to district buildings purchased with School Safety Improvement Grant funding
by Brianne Grimstad
The Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Board of Directors met for its regular monthly meeting Monday night, July 17. Under the consent agenda, the board approved the following personnel: Mike McGeough as SPED Route Driver; Jarod Dahlstrom, Tim Bulman, Jon Snitker and Zach Thornton as volunteer football coaches; Alyssa Bell as Kids Club Coordinator; and Ray Wacker as night custodian.
The board also accepted the resignation of Melissa Ward from her position as head varsity softball coach. The Backpack Program was renewed under the consent agenda, as was the Free and Reduced School Meals Application Process.
During the Communications time of the meeting, the board reviewed the Vehicle and Facility Usage Summary reports that were compiled by Pat Klinge. Total miles for the 2022-2023 school year were 29,684 miles. The district also collected a total of $582.87 in rental fees for use of school facilities.
In the Transportation report, Transportation Director Justin Piggott noted that he wanted to thank all the activity bus drivers for their time spent on transporting students to summer activities. They still continue to run routes to Chileda, Crossroads and for St. Pat’s for activities and lunches. Piggott said the SPED Route Driver garnered a lot of interest, but as noted earlier in this article, the district hired Mike McGeough.
Piggott further noted that the district is also looking for full-time bus drivers to fill vacancies due to retirements and medical leave. Bus drivers will have a refresher course August 11. He also commended Elliot Evanson for his work on maintaining the transportation fleet this summer.
Technology Director Andy Reichard noted that they are getting the new computers set up quickly due to the help of Sara Retallick. Student information has been rolled over to PowerSchool. The four-year-old Chromebooks have been repurposed to replace eight-year-old laptops that were turned into Chromebooks. Reichard also noted that he and his staff are also working on improving security in the network.
Building and Grounds head Bill Hennessy noted that the HVAC/Window project is coming along well. The Middle School gym floor will be waxed later this month. They are also preparing for fire alarm checks and the annual sprinkler checks. Compressors are being installed on roof top #3. Hennessy also gave kudos to the custodians on the great job they are doing to get the buildings ready for another school year.
In his report, Superintendent Jay Mathis noted that he has been reflecting on the past year as he looks ahead to the 2023-2024 school year. He noted that ACSD navigated new open enrollment laws without any trouble, and he hopes the same happens with the new Educational Savings Account law. New curriculum in math and reading was implemented, and they will be implementing a new social studies curriculum in the elementary grades.
The summer HVAC/Window project is coming along, and Mathis said he was thankful the district had ESSER funds to use on these improvements. The technology staff is prepping new devices and the West Elementary playground saw new equipment installed. Mathis said he is very proud of the facilities at ACSD. He also noted that with the staff in place, he feels this could be one the best school years ever for ACSD.
Under old business, the board approved the second reading of the following board policies: 104 - Anti-Bullying/Anti-Harassment Policy, 104.R1 - Anti-Bullying/Anti-Harassment Investigation Procedures, 213 - Public Participation in Board Meetings, 402.2 - Child Abuse Reporting, 402.5 - Required Professional Development for Employees, 408.1 - Licensed Employee Professional Development, 503.7 - Student Disclosure of Identity, 503.7E1 - Report of Student Disclosure of Identity, 503.7E2 - Request to Update Student Identity, 505.4 - Testing Program, 505.5 - Graduation Requirements, 507.2 - Administration of Medication to Students, 507.2E1 - Authorization-Asthma, Airway Constricting, or Respiratory Distress Medication Self-Administration Consent Form, 507.2E2 - Parental Authorization and Release for the Administration of Medication or Special Health Services to Students, 507.2E3 - Parental Authorization and Release Form for the Independent Self Carry and Administration of Prescribed Medication or Independent Delivery of Health Services by the Student, 507.2E4 - Parental Authorization and Release Form for the Administration of Voluntary School Stock Over-The-Counter Medication to Students, 601.1 - School Calendar, 603.5 - Health Education, 605.1 - Instructional Materials Selection, 605.1R1 - Selection of Instructional Materials, 605.2 - Instructional and Library Materials Inspection and Display, 605.3 - Objection to Instructional and Library Materials, 605.3R1 - Reconsideration of Instructional and Library Materials Regulation, 605.3E5 - Request to Prohibit a Student from Accessing Specific Instructional and Library Materials, 605.5 - School Library, 605.7R1 - Use of Information Resources Regulation, 607.2 - Student Health Services, 607.2R1 - Student Health Services Regulation, 804.5 - Stock Prescription Medication Supply, 804.5E1 – Parental Authorization and Release Form for the Administration of a Voluntary School Supply of Stock Medication for Life Threatening Incidents, 705.1R2 - Using Federal Funds in Procurement Contracts.
Under new business, the board selected its 2024 legislative priorities for the Iowa Association of School Boards. As its 2024 priorities, the board chose preschool, area education agencies, local accountability and decision-making, and Supplemental State Aid as the items that they feel are most integral to providing quality educational opportunities and services to the district.
Discussion then moved to the School Safety Improvement Grant purchases. ACSD received a $50,000 grant to be used to purchase and upgrade safety equipment. Each building will receive upgrades that will improve students’ safety and security. At West Elementary, there will be a new security camera installed and the existing camera will be moved to provide additional coverage of the playground area.
There will also be three Verkada Guest Stations purchased (one at East, one at West and one at the Middle School). West will also receive two new viewing stations and a one-year license, which will allow the secretary and principal to better monitor the security cameras. There was some discussion on making sure parents understand that their students are on camera while they are in the school, and Mr. Mathis explained that there will be signage to indicate this. They are also planning on letting parents know exactly what kind of security is being used in the schools.
At West, the existing AI phone will be moved from the exterior location to the vestibule interior location. This will better allow the secretary to communicate with visitors wishing to enter the building. Contacts will be installed at five of the doors at West Elementary that will notify designated staff if doors are propped open.
At East Elementary, Verkada cameras will be installed inside and outside. A Guest Station will be installed at East, as will two viewing stations. The existing AI phone at East will be moved from the exterior location to the inside of the vestibule. Four door contacts will also be installed to notify staff if doors are propped open.
At the Middle School, a new security camera will be installed and the existing one will be moved to provide more coverage. A viewing station will also be installed at the Middle School. Eight door contacts will be installed in the Middle School to alert staff to propped-open doors. Four viewing stations will also be installed there, as will eight SV23 sensors. The sensors will be installed in or near bathroom stalls to detect things like changes in the environment - such as humidity from vaping - and loud noises - in the event of a fight.
The access control for the Middle School main entrance will also be re-worked. A video intercom will be installed in the Superintendent’s office to better allow the staff in there to communicate with and see visitors wanting into the office.
In the High School, eight SV23 Environmental Sensors will be installed. There will also be Verkada Guest Stations installed and three viewing stations. A video intercom will also be installed at the High School. New security cameras will be installed, and existing cameras will be moved in order to provide even more coverage of inside the building and the parking lot area. Eight door contacts will also be installed.
All of these security improvements were approved by the board. The meeting was then adjourned.
