Equity Plan presented to H-W Board

CRESCO - Howard-Winneshiek Community School Board members learned about the District’s Equity Plan updated by Ann Smith, Director of Student Services/Special Education, at the Jan. 18 meeting.
She explained the board had directed the administration team to look at overall discipline, bullying and harassment investigations. Smith decided to update the Equity Plan as her part of the directive.
She came up with three goals. The first goal is to create an equitable inclusion and supportive school environment for all students and personnel from preschool through high school, including ELL, special ed, challenging behavior and those struggling academically.
The second goal is to increase use of culturally responsive and equity-informed practices, and the third is to involve parents, students and community members.
• In other business from the meeting, Smith and Principals Chris Rogne and Doug Sickles gave an update on anti-bullying, anti-harassment and anti-bias procedures and goals for the district. Their presentation, along with a more in-depth article can be found above this article.
•Tenth grade student Jared Saltou and Crestwood High School math teacher Perry Kessel came before the board to request the addition of E-Sports as an activity for students. 
Kessel explained it’s not just kids going home and playing video games. Over $15 million in scholarships was given out last year. “There are some kids who are not in sports or speech or band. Why not let them play video games? It will build skills.” 
He went on to say that many of the interested students are more introverted and being in a team sport would allow them to use strategical planning, problem solving and communication skills.
Saltou made a power point presentation showing other benefits including a sense of community, character development, increase participation, STEM engagement, critical thinking and problem solving.
There are six students on a team. The group would start with just high school students to begin with. Later, sixth-eighth grade students may be invited to join.
Board president Alison Holten said, “Thank you. We want to find niches like this for students.” The board then voted to approve the Club, which would not be school-funded. Members would find grants or donations for expenses.
• Resignations were approved for Ryan McCarville as assistant varsity football coach and Skip Eckhardt, head football coach. In addition, Jeff Blythe resigned as junior high math teacher.
• The “Jeans Week” donations were moved from a district-controlled bank account to a non-district-controlled account. The change will enable teachers to use funds as they see fit, such as purchasing items for students in need (graduation cap and gown, driver’s ed and some clothing).
• Supt. Ted Ihns gave his update. He noted that Jan. 18 was a teacher in-service day. Instructors reviewed special education topics, bully and harassment intervention modules and staff development for anti-bias, anti-bullying and anti-harassment.
One piece he passed on to the board was the number of students served in the district. 
At the end of the 2019-2020 school year (May 2020) enrollment was 1,081 at How-Winn. That number went down to 1,040 for the beginning of the 2020-2021 year. Some of this was due to moving, open enrollment or COVID-19 home schooling. But that number has been raising over the past five months. For January, enrollment was at 1,053, an increase of 13.
• Board policies and wordage were reviewed on corporal punishment, mechanical restraint and prone restraint.
The next board meeting is Feb. 8 at 5:30 p.m. at NICC — Cresco Center.

Cresco Times

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

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

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