Following this past Monday’s meeting of the Eagle Grove Board of Education, the directors were given a quick tour of the nearly completed renovation of the Emerson building into extra classrooms for the upcoming school year.
“The building is pretty much ready,” stated superintendent Jess Toliver. There are still some projects yet to complete, such as replacing the steps in front of the high school. The tuckpointing and caulking on that building has already been done.
The Board voted to continue the COVID-19 leave pay after the Federal guidance expired. “There’s nothing out there that says we have to, but I would like to see is do this to protect our employees,” said Toliver. ‘I would still limit it to ten days maximum.”
The Return to Learn plan update was given. According to Toliver, the committee met and are in the process of updating the plan for the 21-22 school year. It will pretty much be back to school as normal. “State Legislation has dictated that we cannot require masks, so the decision is out of our hands,” said Toliver. The schedule for the back to school days was also reviewed. In-service will be held for staff on Wednesday through Friday of next week, with associates reporting in on the final two days. Classes then start on Monday, August 23.
The Board heard from Toliver on new laws for the public regarding hearings. “They made this change at the last minute,” said Toliver. “Basically, the public can bring something to us and present it.” It reads as follows: Upon petition signed by eligible electors of a school district, equal in number to at least five percent of the persons who voted in the last preceding election of school officials under section 277.1, the board of directors of the district shall hold a public hearing on the proposal specified in the petition. If the proposal relates to curriculum, the school district may halt the use of the curriculum until the board holds the public hearing and makes a decision regarding the proposal. The public hearing is required within 30 days.
During communications and celebrations on the agenda, elementary principal Jared Carder felt that the school staff was able to stick together through all of the challenges this past year and made the best of the situation. He wishes to thank all office personnel, custodial staff and the technology team for all their work this summer to repare for a successful school year. He also thanks all the teachers and associates that made summer school and ESY a success. “The students that took advantage of that opportunity are better for it, and that opportunity would not have been possible without staff willing to put the time and effort in during the summer months,” said Carder. Several of the staff are moving into new positions, and will be joined by Kaleigh Greufe (special ed), Raiza Rosado (ELL paraeducator), Donna Jaacks (paraeducator), Alix Heuser (paraeducator) and Kaelee Matney (migrant coordinator/interpreter) as the new staff members for the year.
New RBMS principal Charles Mausser has been busy acclimating to his new role in the district. “As we journey together, I am deeply committed to meeting your and Robert Blue Middle School students’ needs,” he said. “I am working with our various teams to ensure success for our buildingtheme and beginning of the year logistics. I am also working on our initial professional learning. Hopefully, those days will be fulfilling, inspiring, empowering and fun.” New teachers, or position changes, in his building include Jordan Fonken (TAG), Emily Hansen (special ed), Christine Matthews (special ed), Tim McCloud (7th & 8th science), Elizabeth Schwake (band) and Luke Snyder (careers/STEM).
Principal Heidi Vasquez at the high school wishes to thank the custodial staff for their extensive work, along with some help from some students. She welcomes the new staff members, as Alyssa Dooley (TLC coach & teacher mentor), Ben Hanson (math), Luke Ascherl (science), Jackie Zeiger (EL associate) and Ronda Bahr (job coach associate) join the returning teachers in the building. “I love the fact that, in education, we get a fresh start every year,” said Vasquez. “This provides opportunities for renewed passion and excitement for students and learning. We have much to be excited about at EGHS. Together we will accomplish great things!”
In other action the Board:
-appointed Charles Mausser as equity & affirmative action coordinator for progress and multicultural and nonsexist education;
-approved the list of bus routes for the new school year. According to Toliver, there will be eight morning routes and nine for after school. That may be adjusted at completion of registration;
-heard from Toliver that the terms of directors Aaron Parrott and Jon Rowen will be up for reelection this fall. Candidate filing starts August 23 and runs through September 16;
-approved a resignation from Laurie Mabe (associate) and new contracts for Sandy Muzzey (BA +24, Step 16) and Elizabeth Schwake (MS band);
-approved open enrollments for three students from CGD and two students from Fort Dodge public.
