Minutes - 08.10.22 Board Retreat

ALGONA COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

August 10, 2022

 

The Board of Directors of the Algona Community School District, in the County of Kossuth, State of Iowa, met in a work session at 5:00pm at the Loucher Farm, 2106 100th Ave, Algona, IA 50511.

 

Present: Bartelt, Davis, Louwagie, Nugent, Vinci, Limbaugh (5:11pm), Owen (5:26pm)

Absent: Nugent

Others Present:  Superintendent Carter, Secretary Chapman, Rudy Wieck, James Rotert, Jared Cecil, Janie Eischen, Jill Schutjer, Brad Sudol, Amy Frankl-Algona Publishing

 

The discussion items included reorganization, Future School Schedules, Assessment Date, School Safety and Future Facility Planning.

Reorganization-The vote for reorganization will be September 13, 2022. Three questions will be on the ballot. The questions will be reorganization of the districts, the revenue statement purpose for the newly reorganized school district and the Voter Approved Physical Plant and Equipment Levy for the newly reorganized school district. There are no new taxes for the Algona district. The voters will only be approving the current levies under the new district of Lu Verne and Algona.

Future School Schedules-The discussion is philosophical regarding the four (4) day school week for students. Purposes include recruitment and retention of both students and staff. Length of day would have to increase as students are required to attend school 1,080 hours. One proposed day could be 8:00am-3:45pm with time off for lunch. Different groups have brainstormed pros and cons of the idea. Subjects discussed included Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs), transportation, daycare,  professional development, supervision, achievement, career readiness and schedules. The fifth day would be for professional development. Links for articles regarding 4 day weeks were listed for reference and research. 

Assessment Data-Janie Eischen, Director of Teaching & Learning, reviewed ISASP assessments results with the audience. Conversations included the use of the ISASP and other assessment data and how it is used to improve instruction. 

School Safety-The district currently has an Emergency Operations Plan that was implemented in 2019 and was reviewed recently. All doors are locked every day, people must be buzzed in and video cameras are used. The Verkada camera system is advanced and can utilize facial recognition. The school staff is also trained with ALICE training (ALERT, LOCKDOWN, INFORM, COUNTER, EVACUATE). Re-training will happen again this school year.

 

Future Facility Planning-Three (3) expansive projects were discussed. The 3 items included an auxiliary gym, a new elementary school and a bus barn. Currently there are space issues in the Middle Schools and High Schools. Building an auxiliary gym would allow the district to repurpose other areas to accommodate the spacing. There has been  a study done on the project. There has also been a study done on building a new elementary school. This is something that could be considered after current debt is paid. The study plans that we have are for a K-5 facility at the Bertha Godfrey campus. This would also help the spacing issues at the Middle School. Financing options could include the use of SAVE revenue as well as any unused PPEL funding. The last project is for a bus barn. The district has rented a space at the fairgrounds for many years. The fairboard is working on plans for updating their facilities and grounds. Collaborative discussions may be beneficial so that the district could continue to utilize facilities. 

The board convened their discussions at 7:08pm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Board Secretary Board President