The Clarion-Goldfield-Downs School board met for a session at 4:30 last Thursday. The board of education was represented with all members physically present except for Megan Ring joining by phone and Beth Severson absent.
Paul Hansch started the meeting with a report from the High School. Principal Hansch touched on intervention updates and dropout rates regarding the immigration population in Wright County. Superintendent Nelson shared updates regarding new promotional material from the Donovan Group, his recent trip with the CDA, and news of an out-of-country non-school-funded trip. Shortly after the normally trustworthy live meeting feed was disrupted. The Wright County Monitor reached out to Superintendent Nelson regarding the meeting after the disruption, he shared a brief summary.
Hansch shared an overall positive update regarding the addition of intervention time to the High School students’ schedules. The intervention time is a half hour for the students to focus on problem areas, enrichment activities, or extra time during the day to connect with other students. Teachers have the option to require a student to see them during the intervention time and students have the option to reach out to teachers they need clarification from.
Principal Hansch shared a recent email received from the Iowa Department of Education questioning the sudden spike of 27 dropouts in 2023 and his response regarding the issue.
The biggest reason for the sudden increase in dropouts is due to the students coming in from Guatemala, according to Hansch. Children have after-school jobs or even night jobs, the high school principal shared further.
“Many of [the immigrant children] are trafficked into labor as part of getting into the United States.” Paul Hanch goes on to share that whether it’s accurate or not, “I can tell you this is how it works.” He shares that when an immigrant is detained at the border they must enroll in school if they are under 18 years of age. Once they turn 18, they’re able to drop out of school, and “No one really keeps track.”
He went on to share that migrant children coming into our district start academically behind their peers, and it is harder for them. “We have a lot of kids that are pursuing an American dream, and they succeed and they do somehow manage to get through,” he shared with the school board, “I think there is little awareness of what is happening in Wright County and the demographic that we have.”
Principal Hansch suggested that the Department of Education visit Clarion to see what they’re doing in our schools to serve the migrant population. Superintendent Nelson stated, “Unfortunately, this will be the same challenge next year and the year after.”
The board then discussed the issue of migrant children with large educational gaps compared to their peers and then those children being assessed to the same standards during state testing, like the upcoming ISAP.
Superintendent Nelson started his report with promotional material from the Donovan Group highlighting the transportation sector at CGD. Nelson shared that he met with Governor Reynolds and six other superintendents recently. Nelson shared with The Wright County Monitor that the meeting touched on the Governor’s work to increase teacher’s base salary statewide. He shared during the school board meeting that he considers the governor to be in tune with what rural districts need.
The gym floor in the new middle school gym is being redone due to the buckling issues it was experiencing. Nelson shared that it should be done by the end of April. Nelson expressed the concern of “Fundraiser Fatigue” after receiving feedback from community members expressing the number of fundraisers the school and our community have.
Nelson spoke of touring newly built apartments in town that will be available for rent ahead of the 24/25 school year. Superintendent Nelson along with Clint Middleton, Craig Warnke, and the CDA (Clarion’s Chamber) recently visited Belmond’s home purchased from the Prison Industry. Nelson ended his report with news of a non-school-funded trip to Kosovo for area wrestlers to compete against students from other nations. The trip will take place in June.
The CGD school board meeting live feed was cut off shortly after Nelson shared the news of the wrestling trip to Kosovo. According to the agenda the School Board discussed:
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Special education stipends.
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Issuing contracts for the upcoming fiscal year.
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Forming an ad hoc committee for school improvement, “SIAC”.
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Various school policies.
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Staff resignations and maternity leave requests.
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Preliminary budget/proposed max tax levy and financial reports to date.
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Average teachers’ salaries comparison.
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Building & grounds capital/PPEL projects.
The next school board meetings will be held: Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at 4:30 P.M. regarding the Proposed Tax Levy and again on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at 4:30 P.M. regarding the Budget and the Regular Meeting.
