H-W certified enrollment is down 7.3 students

CRESCO - Howard-Winneshiek CSD Superintendent Ted Ihns reported to the HWCSD board of education that as of Oct. 15, when certified enrollment is counted,  the district had a total of 1,125.46 students enrolled. That is a decrease of 7.3 students from 2019-2020’s enrollment of 1,132.76. [Previous years numbers include: 2018-19, 1,171.2; 2017-18, 1,160.4; 2016-17, 1,194.5; and 2015-16, 1,197.5.]

There are currently 147.6 students who open-enroll out of the district this year, and 35 open-enroll in. In 2018-19 it was 135.6/35; 2018-19, 115.9/10.3; 2017-18, 112/34; 2016-17, 116/32; and 2015-16, 117/32.

• Ihns also stated at the Oct. 19 school board meeting, that Oct. 16 marked the end of the first quarter. Conferences were scheduled for Nov. 9 and 12.

“Oct. 19-23 is National School Bus Safety Week, and I would like to thank Brian Swestka HWCSD Transportation Director; Chad Jackson, our District Mechanic; and drivers Richard Burgess, Coleen Busta, Kay Flaherty, Randy Ellingson, Larry Fredrickson, Dan Gardner, Brian Goodman, John Grube, Dennis Hosch, Timothy Howland, Roger Johnston, Albert Lopez, Tom Mahr, Sylvester Mrachek, Lynda Murphy, Jim Ott, Richard Parks, Gerald Reicks and Harold Rue.” Substitute drivers include Stan Brandt, Mark Grinhaug, Tim Wolter, Larry Iverson, Jim Oberman and  Brett Daly.

• The resignation of David Gosch as H.S. Musical Assistant Director was approved. In addition, new hires included Cathy Albano, Preschool Para; Alicia Denner, Head Varsity Softball Coach; and Karen Steffen, Seventh Grade Girls Basketball Coach. Plus three open enrollment applications were approved.

• With the Iowa School Board Convention coming up, Ihns reminded board members that the 2020-2021 IASB Legislative Priorities chosen by them included Preschool; Mental Health; School Funding Policy; Supplemental State Aid; Transportation Equity; and Teacher Leadership and Development (TLC).

Alison Holten was approved to be the delegate representative for H-W.

• Ann Smith, Director of Special Education/Student Services, gave a report on the special education deficit.

She explained that due to COVID-19, and missing the last quarter of the 2019-2020 school year, the district could not bill Medicaid for transportation, nursing services and paraeducator minutes for a total of $44,155.22.

Smith compared apples to apples for students who have IEPs (Individualized Educational Plan, or those who need extra help). To educate the 148 students in district, it costs on average $1,549.62 per student. For IEP students who open enroll out or need a service the district currently does not provide, it costs the district on average $14,484.67 per student.

“Some students don’t want to be sent somewhere else. They want to be here! We can make the room. We want to make this great place even better by providing education to all students,” Smith told board members.

“We need to take care of our students. We need to have programs here. We need to educate all of our students here at Crestwood.”

• In addition, Smith and 7-12 Principal Chris Rogne gave an Anti-Bullying/Anti Bias Committee report. Look for this in a future issue of Times Plain Dealer.