Holten re-elected H-W school board president

CRESCO - The two newly-elected members (Alison Holten — incumbent and Thomas Williams) of the Howard-Winneshiek Community School Board took the oath of office at the Monday, Nov. 15 organizational meeting. 

Holten was elected president, and Shirley Sovereign was elected vice-president. It was decided to keep meeting dates, locations and times the same — third Monday of the month, at NICC-Cresco Center at 5:30 p.m.

The meeting adjourned.

• The annual meeting was also held.

• Supt. Ted Ihns reported the Rural School Advocates of Iowa held its fall meeting to set areas of focus at their 2022 Legislative Session. Some goals were adequate school resources. In the past, 2.4% increase was the greatest and 1.0% was the lowest. “They are asking for a supplemental state aid increase 3.75%. Other items of focus are educator shortage and quality instruction; local school board authority; preschool funding of 1.0 FTE; opportunity equity; continuation of sharing incentive/efficiencies; assessing and addressing staff/student social, emotional and behavioral health; continued transportation equity; and internet connectivity and access.

On Dec. 6, H-W CSD is hosting a roundtable with Senator Liz Mathis to discuss teacher shortage. Teachers, administrators, legislators and parents will be attending the roundtable discussion. The agenda will include current staffing numbers, barriers impacting the teacher shortage and possible solutions.

• Chris Rogne, 7-12 Principal, gave a review of MAP tests. It showed H-W students were above the national norm in grades 7-12 in language usage, math and science. For reading, grades 7-9 are above the norm, but slightly lagging for 10th-11th grades.

In addition, 65.7% of Crestwood High School graduates, from 2017-2019, enrolled in a college or university within one year of graduation. The state average was 65.2%.

Of those who enrolled in a public college or university, 15% had to take a remedial English or math class. The state average was 14.6%.

The good news about having to take a remedial class is that the percentage tends to decrease in math in two and four-year schools, but has increased in English for several years in two-year schools.

Rogne commended junior high students, Ella Dennler, Leif Matter, Lexus Vrba and Lucas Wemark, and high school students, Emily Church, Travis Brace, Connor Carter and Chance Carter for being in the Northeast Iowa Bandmasters Association Honor Band.

In addition, Northeast Iowa Conference Honor Band consists of high schoolers Alayna Larson, Emily Church, Julia Loden, Connor Carter, Travis Brace, Preston Hurd and Meredith Moore.

The Gaming Club had 13 students who competed throughout the season. 

Student-led parent/teacher conferences were recently held. Parent participation was seventh grade — 97%; eighth — 68%; ninth — 72%; 10th — 62%, 11th — 35%; 12th —41%, with the overall average being 62.5%. “The percentage has been as high as 85%,” Rogne stated. “I’ve talked to other schools, and their average is around 40%.”

The principal was pleased with the support of the community for the International Festival of Diversity and Culture event that took place at the high school.

• PK-6 Principal Doug Sickles said Crestwood elementary students have started to learn about the four fish practices to improve culture and climate in the building.

Some of the older grades attended the International Fair at the high school. “A lot of the parents also attended the festival,” he noted.

Sixth graders attended the Veterans Day program.

About 97% of the parents attended conferences. “I was really pleased with that.”

Teachers are sharing a lot of information by going on “learning walks.” They go into other classrooms and observe instruction, behavior management and classroom structure.

• Ann Smith, director of special education and student services, said Ms. Story and Ms. Kerian earned a grant to add some STEM activities to the Gifted and Talented program.

She gave special education numbers. There are 1,053 students at How-Winn., with 154 being in special classes. The elementary has 473 students/87 in special classes; junior high 182/24; and high school 398/43.

Smith said there were 14 countries represented at the Diversity Festival. Twelve community members participated. Also, four Luther College students represented four countries.

Supt. Ihns added, “It was well done. The presenters said our kids were knowledgeable, and people took the festival seriously.

• AD Todd Coulter reported 29 team members in grades 9-12 for girls basketball. The boys have 31 team members. Wrestling has 37 members, and the girls have a steady 23 at practice. There are five wrestling cheerleaders and six for basketball.

Congratulations go to cross country runners Kendel Slavin who finished 64th out of 133 runners at state and Kinze Shea, who finished 17th.

Kelly Miller was second team all-conference in volleyball.

In swimming, Emily Voyna finished 30th in the 100 butterfly at state, 22nd in the 200 medley relay and 19th in the 200 freestyle relay. She swims with the Decorah team.

In All-State standings, Jaydan Teslow was first team running back, Paul Hanni was first team lineman, and Carter Johnson was first team linebacker. Honorable mention in football were Drew Jackson, Alex Rempfer and Landen Schemmel.

• The board received a resignation from Samantha Bulman, Preschool Associate.  New hires included Maia Harvey, Volunteer Cheerleading Coach; Ethan Kraft, Volunteer Boys Basketball Coach; and Dalton Nelson, Volunteer Wrestling Coach.

• The second reading of the 700 series and 401.5 policies were approved.

• The Financial Institutions were approved for CUSB Bank, Cresco, $10,000,000; Cresco Bank & Trust, Cresco, $1,000,000; Peoples Savings Bank, Elma, $1,000,000; Bankers Trust, Des Moines, $1,000,000; and Iowa Schools Investment Trust, $750,000.

• Ahlers & Cooney, P.C. will be legal counsel for FY22.

• The board approved resolutions to request to the School Budget Review Committee for a modified supplemental amount of $223,260 due to an increase in certified enrollment from the prior year and for a modified supplemental amount of $23,963.20 for open enrolled out students who were not included in the district’s previous year certified enrollment count.

• The board approved a resolution to request additional spending authority of $17,552.75 for the Limited English Proficient (LEP) Allowable Cost.

•  The 2022 early graduates were approved — Ricky Delatorre, Breanna Huebbe, Ryan Martinek, Abram Miller, Jackie Niewoehner, Gabriel Sawyer and Gabriel Steven. Rogne felt all were ready and excited to graduate early.

• Jan Kreitzer was approved as Keystone AEA Director District #1.

• First readings on several policies were approved.

• Panorama Education Surveys was approved for $4,000.

• Communications Engineering Company (CEC) was approved to relocate the fiber optic cables between the high school and K-8 buildings for a bid of $16,847.75.

The next board meeting will be on Dec. 20 at 5:30 p.m., at NICC-Cresco.