District preparing for first day

CRESCO - Howard-Winneshiek CSD Board of Education members learned of some of the preparations taking place before the start of the school year at their Aug. 15 regular meeting.
Supt. Kris Einck reported he had attended the new teacher luncheon at Champlin Hall, along with other teachers. “I’d like to thank the Chamber and Kiwanis. And the theatre is awesome!”
He gave a shout out to custodial and grounds crew, technology, district office staff, kitchen staff and all the others working to make the summer and start of school a good experience.
Einck noted he applied for the Governor’s Safety Initiative. “It won’t cost anything. They will go around and look things over.”
• In other business, PK-6 Principal Doug Sickles said there are 16 new staff. Aug. 11-12 they attended a two-day training. “They worked with the instructional coaches, along with myself and Lisa Dursky.”
He added the elementary is focusing on the literacy program Amplify.
In addition, most of the training days during the school year will have sessions in the morning, with teachers being able to work on the topic in the afternoon.
District officials, as well as Emergency Management, county attorney, police and sheriff’s department and others got together to discuss attendance and other school matters.
• New 7-12 Secondary Principal Lisa Dursky said, “I am now a resident of Cresco! No more living out of a suitcase!”
She was happy to be associated with mentors and mentees in her first months at How-Winn. “I’m always learning and I want to grow.”
One of the things she is investigating is block scheduling for the future. “Students that go to NICC attend school there on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays they don’t have class. I’d like to give them options.”
She is also watching how the Eldon, Iowa school district is doing with a four-day school week.
“But my #1 goal is attendance. Sixteen percent is the state average for absenteeism. We are at 19%.”
• School Board President Alison Holten gave Activities Director Todd Coulter’s report. 
He noted there were 62 total kids in football, 34 in cross country and 37 in volleyball.
Einck added, “I think 62 for football is a good number. Many schools are having a hard time getting their numbers.”
• Building and Grounds Director Larry Trende updated the board on the new construction.
The Alternative School has the glass installed, and work is moving forward.
“The renovated locker room is done, except for curtains and lockers. I still have to meet with the fire marshall to show our plan for keeping kids from going into the construction zone.”
The new wrestling mats will cost around $56,000, but approximately 35% of that has already been earmarked for the mats. This was approved.
Trende is still waiting on getting electric locks on some doors and the gate to keep cars out of the construction area. This was approved.
• The board approved a new wrestling logo designed by Adam Skoda. 
• The board approved the legislative priorities for the district as suggested by Einck. They include school funding, AEAs, brain health (social/emotional) and teacher recruitment.
• The Level I and Level II investigators for the district. Level I includes Sickles for PK-6, with Brenda Lentz as alternate, and Dursky for 7-12, with Coulter as alternate. The Cresco Police Department is Level II. 
• Resignations included Diane Benda, Associate; T.J. Casper, Associate; and Tina Powers, Custodian.
New hires were Jeff Freidhof, Transportation Assistant; Karen Dotzler, Preschool Paraprofessional; Nicki Kleve, Lorry Schoppers, C.J. Albano, Kelcie Johnso, and Kari Lidtke, Preschool Special Ed Paraprofessionals; Kolby LeFebvre, Alternative Learning Center Paraprofessional; Taylor Vrieze, Elementary Special Ed Paraprofessional; Jeff Freidhof, 8th Grade Football; Maia Harvey, Volunteer Cheerleading Coach-Football; Karen Steffen, Head Girls Track; Cassie Lichty, Assistant Girls Track; Dale Dennler, 8th Grade Girls Track; Brett Daley, Head Boys Track; Brandon Kerian, Assistant Boys Track; Keith Slifka, Field Specialist; Jerry Steffen, 8th Grade Boys Track; Tom Schmauss, 7th Grade Boys Track; Justin Thrailkill, Head Boys Golf; Jason Sorenson, Head Girls Golf; Alicia Denner, Head Softball; Meghan Harrod, Assistant Varsity Softball; Gena McCaffrey and Trish Hartman, 8-9 Grade Softball; Gary Steffen, Head Baseball; Kolby LeFebvre, Assistant Varsity Baseball; Dennis Millage, 8-9 Grade Baseball; and Rebecca Ortner, mentor for Laurie Uhlenhake-Thompson.
• In addition, the board approved the second reading of the meal changes; NICC and H-W lease contract; paying bills for the new construction to Cresco Building Service and Emergent Architecture; Winona State University agreement; Employee Handbook; and Precision Overhead Door quote.
•The board formally acknowledged the donations Chad Rasmussen and family and friends have made toward paying off the negative student lunch balances.
• The next board meeting will be Monday, Sept. 19.

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

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