Variety of personnel decisions by Allamakee Community School District Board of Directors includes approval of second elementary school principal
by Brianne Grimstad
The Allamakee Community Education Association (ACEA) representatives met with Allamakee Community School District (ACSD) Negotiations Committee members Beth Shafer and Erik Helgerson, as well as ACSD Superintendent Jay Mathis Tuesday, March 10 to begin the process of contract negotiations.
In its proposal to the district, ACEA asked for a $615 dollar increase to the teaching and coaching base salary, bringing that to $35,000. They also asked that step movement and lane changes be given as per Article XIII, Section 3. Total increase with step movement and lane changes as well as the base salary increase would be 3.05%.
The Educator’s Association also asked for additional verbiage regarding substitute coverage. They requested that if a substitute teacher can’t be found, classroom teachers who are assigned by building administrators to cover the classroom during their prep period be paid a rate of $20 for the day. They also discussed a bit about documentation. The Educator’s Association asked to keep this as a paid trial for the 2026-2027 school year.
The counter proposal from ACSD was a $450 increase on the teaching and coaching base, bringing that to $34,835. The total package increase, including wages and benefits would be 2.84%. The district also proposed a one-year agreement, with a decision to be finalized at the Monday, March 16 regular school board session.
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
The ACSD board members met for their regular monthly meeting Monday night, March 16. During the Communications time of the meeting, the board heard a presentation on the Skills USA program.
Under the Consent Agenda, the board approved the following personnel items (pending a satisfactory background check): Tess Hawes, Instructional Coach; Hailey Stortz, 8-12 School Counselor; Kids Club staff; Nate Keenan, Summer Custodial Help; Timothy Drain, Middle School Night Custodian; Marin Marti, increase para hours; Joey Lapel, Third Grade Teacher; Jill Baxter, Preschool PLC Teacher Leader; Dave Blocker, Route Bus Driver.
The board also accepted the following resignations: Andrew Reichard, Technology Directory; Neil Heins, Custodian; Brody Baxter, 9th Grade Football Coach; Kari Burke, Building Secretary; and Marcus Bell, Technology Assistant. The board also approved the transfer of Kelli Olson to the position of Elementary Principal for East Elementary. Olson will also continue to be the Curriculum Director for the district. She has currently been the Dean of Students at East and this transfer will allow for both elementary buildings to have a full-time principal.
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