By Edward Lynn
Editor
EAGLE GROVE, Iowa – The Eagle Grove Community School District Board of Education met for a brisk but substantial 20-minute meeting Monday evening, moving efficiently through staffing updates, policy approvals, and a key clarification on the district’s temporary halt in using the city’s new Rec Center.
David Ackerman, the incoming high school vocal music director, introduced himself, marking his return to full-time teaching after four years of substituting. “I taught at Clarion-Goldfield-Dows for 27 years… all total, 34 years of teaching,” Ackerman said. “Hopefully doing some good things there and maybe building some numbers up.”
Incoming high school principal Randy Roosa reported several key adjustments for the fall semester, including a shift to a bell-to-bell homeroom at the end of the day and updated lunch policies. “We’re going to stick with our own lunch, but it will be closed campus for the lower grades, and the seniors will have open campus privileges,” Roosa said.
The board unanimously approved a revised high school staff handbook and retained First Bank as the depository and Nicole Boyer as secretary/treasurer. Superintendent Jess Toliver noted a new requirement: the board must now formally evaluate the secretary position each year. “That is in the law… I would recommend you follow a process similar to mine,” Toliver suggested to Boyer.
A notable discussion surrounded the high school’s new cell phone policy, which will require phones to be put away “bell to bell,” with exceptions only between classes. While some staff had pushed for a full-day ban, the board opted for a balanced approach. “We’re trying to teach them to be adults,” said incoming High School Principal Randy Roosa. “As adults, you’re still gonna have technology right in front of your face.” Roosa continued, “That doesn’t give [students] an opportunity to learn to make those decisions,” he said. “There’s going to be kids that make bad decisions, but that’s the option to grow.” Tolliver also noted that parents generally pay for their kids’ phones, and do so to have access to them, particularly in emergencies.
Toliver also clarified the school’s current non-use of the new Rec Center facility. “We had a community member question why we were using it when we’re not in our agreement already,” he said. “It is not completely finished… the city is having drama and issues with that. I’m not going to put the school district at any risk.” He added that the district will move forward with usage once the facility is complete and a formal agreement is signed.
The board also approved a streamlined AEA (Area Education Association) service agreement. “This year we paid for special-ed services — they take 90% of it, we take 10% of it,” Toliver explained. “The rest of [the] money, we’ll keep it. We’ll take that money and bring in the resources ourselves for what we need.” Retained services include the technology bundle, data dashboard, digital resources, class link, and teacher librarian.
No purchases over $25,000 were presented.
