Supt. gives update on legislation affecting Iowa school districts

CRESCO - Howard-Winneshiek Supt. Ted Ihns told members at the Feb. 12 school board meeting what was taking place in Des Moines in this legislative session. There were some good and bad things coming up the pike.

So far, it is just a proposal, but allowable growth for the coming year is likely to be one percent, which compares with 2.25 in Fiscal 2017; 4.0 in 2015; 0.0 in 2012; 4.0 from 2006-2010; and 13.6 in 1981!

Another proposal is setting aside $10 million for school districts to help with transportation. That has always been a huge problem for Howard-Winn, which is the third largest district area-wise in the state. It costs Howard-Winn about $600 per student in transportation costs. The state average is $315.

Ihns said a negative proposal for education is having vouchers. Legislators believe everyone pays taxes and should benefit from those taxes. For public schools, the district receives over $6,500 per student, while private schools do not get any state aid.

The proposal is for ESA (Educational Savings Allowances), which would provide up to $5,000 for private schools per student. If tuition is $2,200 per year, the remainder of that ($2,800) would go into a college savings account for the student.  Public school students would not have a college savings account.

Since then, the bill was removed from the House Education Committee agenda on Feb. 15.

It was mentioned a mandate was coming on Iowa Area Education Agencies. “There are now nine AEA districts, and legislators want [to downsize to] seven.”

Ihns named all students who belong to NEIC Honor Choir; NEIC Honor Band; NEIBA District Honor Band for Junior High and High School; Wartburg Honor Band; and State Speech. He brought up the speech students as he had never attended a state contest. “It was unbelievable. The improvisation was absolutely amazing—how they think on their feet!”

In addition, Ihns mentioned Eric Trautsch, who was chosen to attend a week-long education work session in Washington, D.C. in February.

• Under the consent agenda, School Board member Todd Hill asked about the number of open enroll outs from the district, wondering if Supt. Ted Ihns had reasons why. He replied some had to do with families, and others had to do with proximity.

Parent/community member Clint Fousek then spoke up to talk about why he was open enrolling his child for the coming year. “You’re not providing a safe environment for my freshman. There are issues that get swept under the rug such as hazing and bullying.”

He stated the district has some really good students and some really bad students. “We are only as good as our weakest link.”

• During open forum at the beginning of the meeting, teacher Heather Suckow commented on the football coach position. “I have sat in on multiple board meetings where we said we’d like a head coach to be in the school during the day. Now we will have three head coaches who are not in school—volleyball, cross country and football.”

She related that while she was head volleyball coach, students noticed when she was in the halls or lunchroom. “Those are things that keep building connections. I am concerned with the selection.”

New hires included Casey Bouska as head men’s golf coach; Meghan Herold as junior high dramatics; and Skippy Eckhardt as head football coach.

• Since Larry Trende started as Buildings and Grounds Director, he has tried to get energy use lower. His goal is to get it to 72¢ per square foot, which would show the district energy-efficient, sustainably-designed buildings. The average cost is $1.01 per square foot. Currently Howard-Winn is at 77¢.

“Our gas usage is down. When classrooms are at lunch, we shut the room down. We are also updating LED lights,” he said.

• Cassie Martin, Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC)-Cresco Center Director, gave a presentation on the NICC Business Sector group. “We’ve been meeting since March 2016 and work on common goals between the NICC and local businesses.”

Jenna Lee Pedretti gave an example of having students going to the hospital and learning there are more jobs available than doctors and nurses.

Larry Leliefeld of Geothermal EcoOptions spoke about how a good living can be made by graduating from a community college. He said the group tries to figure out “how we can let educators, parents and students know there are jobs here.”

Also speaking was Erin Powers Daley, Director of Recruitment. She explained Work-Based Learning, which allows students to check out various jobs in high school to see if it is suited to them. If not, they just saved secondary education money and time spent at a job they don’t like.

• Chris Rogne, 7-12 principal, presented the 2018-19 Crestwood High School Curriculum Guide. He stated there are over 100 classes available to students at Crestwood High School and over 50 choices at NICC for a total of over 150.

• The board approved a first and second reading of a long list of policies.

• Heather Klenke proposed purchasing a new application that would make reading board packets and minutes easier. The cost is $1,000 for start-up and $3,000 yearly. Board president Duane Bodermann joked, “It’s needed, but boy am I cheap!” Ultimately, the board decided to purchase the Board-Docs LT Document Management System.

• Board member Alison Holten wanted to revisit the proposals of Terese Jurgensen from last month. “I don’t want to lose sight of the special ed program.” Jurgensen will give a presentation at the March 12 board meeting.