How-Winn considers adding soccer to extra-curricular activities

CRESCO - Activities Director Todd Coulter reported on the cost of adding girls and boys soccer to the extra-curricular activities offered by Howard-Winneshiek during the Dec. 20 monthly meeting.

The total start-up cost would be just over $125,000. Some of the expenses would be a one-time or non-yearly expense, such as equipment ($41,125) and uniforms ($13,320).

The other expenses would be teaching stipends, schedule requirement and officials pay, along with other expenses.

So far, he has had some interest with 20 each of boys and girls willing to consider participating in the sport and will continue to look into the program.

Coulter also reported on a successful season for boys and girls junior high basketball.

Junior high wrestling has 20 boys and four girls on the team.

The high school wrestling team finished third in its bracket at the Battle of Waterloo. There were 32 boys teams and the girls had eight teams. “Other coaches were very complimentary of our girls. They put the hammer down in competition.”

Boys and girls high school basketball teams are working hard, never lacking effort on competing.

• As required by the Iowa Department of Education, Supt. Ted Ihns reviewed the Return to Learn Plan in regards to COVID-19. “Every six months during the pandemic, we have to visit and revisit the plan,” he told school board members. “Nothing has changed since July.”

Some items he pointed out were face coverings are up to a family to decide whether a student wears it or not; temperature screenings are being done; if students are sick, they are staying home; and buses are being disinfected regularly. He said breakfast and lunch seating is back to before the pandemic, and there hasn’t been a problem.

He went on to say that not everyone who is sick has COVID. The current case-count as far as students out because of COVID is 1-2 per day.

Chris Rogne, 7-12 principal, said attendance is at 90-92%, “which is typical over the past few years. There are usually always 1-2 kids on quarantine.”

Elementary Principal Doug Sickles said the lower grades are at 85-90% for attendance.

• Ihns then gave his regular report. He noted Dec. 22 was the end of the first semester. Teachers were returning to class on Jan. 3, and the students were to report to class on Jan. 4.

“On Dec. 6, HWCSD hosted a roundtable discussion on teacher shortage in the State of Iowa. Senators Liz Mathis and Claire Celsi along with State Representative Mike Bergan met with teachers, parents, school board members and administrators to discuss the teacher shortage and ways in which to lessen the impact on Iowa school districts.” 

After missing 10.5 hours due to the strong winds predicted on Dec. 15, the district still has a cushion of 61.9 hours before time has to be made up if more days are missed.

Ihns announced the early graduates are Ricky Delatorre, Breanna Huebbe, Ryan Martinek, Abram Miller, Jackie Niewoehner, Dashea Powell, Gabriel Steven, Gabriel Sawyer and Hannah Suckow.

• Rogne announced the number of behavior logs went down in December to 3.9 per day from 5.5 in November.

• Sickles reported the elementary had a Club’s Choice fund-raiser, which made over $15,000. The funds will be used for field trips and programs throughout the year.

Teachers are focusing on helping struggling readers and are learning strategies to help the students succeed.

• Ann Smith gave the special education report. She noted the Gifted and Talented fourth grade students were comparing sugars with Krispy Creme Donuts and healthy foods. The fifth graders were creating a budget for a hotel.

Secondary students are looking to open a coffee shop in the Booster Club area by the end of January, after the kitchen is remodeled. “We are working with Java John’s.”

• School board members approved the FY23 At-Risk/DropOut Prevention Budget of $422,730, with the required local match of $140,910.

• Shirley Sovereign was appointed the representative to the Howard County Conference Board.

• Supt. Ihns recommended raising substitute teacher pay from $110 to $125 per day starting Jan. 4, 2022.

• New hires from the meeting included Adam Skoda, Winter Audio Visual-Cadet Zone; Luke Jansen, Spring/Summer Audio Visual-Cadet Zone; Mason Peter, Winter Break B&G; Laurie Uhlenhake-Thompson; .6 FTE Jr. High Art Long Term Substitute; and Kelly McCarville, Volunteer Boys Basketball Coach

The fall 2022-2023 coaches included

~ Football-Justin Denner, Head Coach and Ryan Harrod, Kolby LeFebvre, Brent Mehmert, Adam Skoda and Chis Sullivan as Assistants; Seventh Grade-Gary Steffen and Rick McCarville; and Eighth Grade-Tom Schmauss and Jason Sorenson

~ Volleyball-Robin Gossman, Head and Trish Hartman and Tony Gossman as Assistants; Seventh Grade-Luke Jansen; and Eighth Grade-Gena McCaffrey

~ Cross Country-Cassie Lichty, Head; Karen Steffen, Assistant; and Junior High-Courtney Rogne

• School board members will act on making plans to refresh the Apple iPads. The cost will be around $192,000 plus 560 cases.

• During the Jan. 17 board meeting, Emergent Architects will present project documents.