Progress made on Cap. Camp., H-W construction

CRESCO - Supt. Kris Einck updated school board members on the Capital Campaign, which has raised 54% of its $1 million goal, and the remodeling and addition project, which is also showing progress.

The Capital Campaign Committee is planning for a soup supper on Feb. 3 or Feb. 9. In addition, a golf tournament has been scheduled for June 16.

“Everything that has a roof over it has heat. The builders have recently started putting up the panels and walls. Everything is looking good.”

• In other news from his report, Einck expressed his frustration over Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ proposal to provide Educational Savings Account (ESA) Vouchers so they can attend private schools.

He said that takes money and students away from the public schools, possibly causing a hardship for them.

“This scares me a lot, that I don’t know what’s going to happen, which makes it hard for us to do a budget. 

“I sent an e-mail to our local legislators and would encourage others to do the same,” he said. Einck ended his letter by stating, “This will have a negative impact on Howard-Winneshiek Schools and our ability to educate our students, as well as what it would do to the state’s budget with dollars that could be used to adequately fund public schools where more than 90% of our students are educated.”

Mr. Einck also has a letter to the community on Page 4 of this issue of the Times Plain Dealer.

• TK-6 Principal Doug Sickles lifted up the projects taking place in fourth grade science. “They learned about animal tails and bird beaks.”

The elementary is starting to implement “Respect” as their second semester goal.

Sickles said two of the elementary students in the same family had a house fire, and students collected toys and totes for the family, while staff raised money for the family.

• Lisa Dursky, 7-12 principal reported that at the Jan. 16 inservice, teachers discussed the junior and senior high safety and climate and attendance.

“Our seventh grade students will be participating in a Mindful Teen program. A recent survey administered by the National 4-H Council found that 64% of teens believe that COVID-19 will have a lasting impact on their generation’s mental health.”

The high school now has a Chess Club, taught by Mark Haugerud, the Spanish teacher’s husband.

The students and staff are taking part in a Crestwood Cares program. It will allow students access to needed supplies. “We wanted to bring a mentoring program back. We did have one, but it had phased out during COVID,” she explained.

She also gave a shout out to the students selected for the Dorian Vocal Festival in Decorah and the NEIC Honor Music Festival.

• Board members were given handouts of the junior and senior high winter sports programs from Activities Director Todd Coulter. All the seasons are coming to an end soon, with district play after that.

• The resignation from Ray Rosales, Spanish Teacher and hire of Tammy Larson, Paraprofessional were approved.

• Board members approved the Mediation Agreement of the Northeast Iowa Conference.

In accordance with Iowa Administrative Rule 281-37, Waverly-Shell Rock School District (Waverly-Shell Rock) and the members of the Northeast Iowa Conference (Conference) agree to the following: 

 ~ Waverly-Shell Rock will remain a member of the Conference for the 2023-2024 school year. 

~ Waverly-Shell Rock’s membership in the Conference will end at the close of the 2023-2024 school year. 

~ Waverly-Shell Rock agrees that it will not take any action that seeks to extend its membership in the NEIC when its membership ceases at the end of the 2023-2024 school year. 

~ Other than conference championship events, new members of the NEIC will not be required to compete against Waverly-Shell Rock.  

~ This agreement will become effective upon ratification by the Waverly-Shell Rock Board of Education and a majority of the Boards of the Conference member districts. 

• The Senior Year Plus program was approved for students in grades 9-12. Before this, it was just for juniors or seniors or students in GAT.

This will allow all students in high school to attend dual credit classes at NICC. The program requires all students enrolling in college credit courses be proficient in English Language Arts, Math, and Science.  At Crestwood High School, concurrent enrollment courses include Advanced Placement courses (AP); Concurrent Enrollment courses and PICC (Placement in College Credit) at Northeast Iowa Community College; Iowa Learning Online courses (ILO); and PSEO courses.

• Change orders and payments for the new addition were approved.

• Ramsey Education Curriculum was approved. Dursky explained the district has been using the third edition and now the fourth is available. She felt it was a good curriculum.

• Winona Heating & Ventilating gave a proposal of over $16,000 to put in a new control system for the NICC building. Director of Buildings and Grounds Larry Trende stated, “The rest of the complex goes through this company.” He received warning and updates on power outages, running water and more. 

The request came after an employee found a water leak over the Christmas holiday that may have went un-noticed for days.

• Board members approved allowing temporary exits for the Howard County Conservation project of replacing culverts under the bike trail. It should only take a month to resolve in the spring.

• Board president Alison Holten thanked members Andy Ludeking and Shirley Sovereign and everyone else involved with the Capital Campaign.

• The next meeting will be on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 5:30, with a tour of the new addition after the meeting.