East Union celebrates full staff, higher enrollment

AFTON - In Monday’s regular school board meeting, East Union celebrated new developments for the school, including more students attending the district.

Superintendent Tim Kuehl reported an increase of 13.5 students in the district over the last year, something he said he was “pleased” with. Over the last two years, enrollment had decreased about 20-35 students, with the news of better enrollment Kuehl described as an “awesome reversal.”

Secondary Principal Jason Riley gave good news regarding available staff, with the school offering a contract to Alex Kalbach for the position of secondary PE/Health teacher. Kalbach graduates from Graceland University in December, and will join the staff for the second semester pending the issuing of a teaching license.

With the addition of Kalbach, the teaching roster of East Union is now fully staffed. Riley said this will be the first time in five years the school will not need to utilize online classes to meet offer and teach requirements.

Despite a full staff available now in the secondary, Riley also reported coverage issues with the substitute teacher pool. Teachers have been able to cover for each other, but the relief the sub pool offers has been stretched.

Riley said the school is still looking for subs. “We’re still looking for more,” he said. “If anybody knows subs, send them our way.”

Elementary Principal Joan Gordon reported an increase of $9,575.41 from last year in Title I funding, totalling $175,075.48 for this year. Title I funding is granted to schools where 40% of the student body comes from low-income families, and allows schools to bolster their programs to give equal access to education.

East Union Elementary is a Title I building, which allows the school to spend funds on differentiated teaching and learning for all students in the building. Gordon gave examples of how these funds are being spent in East Union, ranging from salaries to staff for Title I Reading and Math, tutoring, summer school, books, materials, specialized professional development and interventionists.

Kuehl also gave an update on the development of the Infant Toddler Center, with the center to be furnished during the first week of November. When describing the work done, Kuehl said “It’s looking good.”

In other East Union school board news...

In Riley’s report to the board, he gave an update on absenteeism in the school. Only three students in grades 6-12 have fallen below 90% attendance, which is the first step where the school is required to notify the county attorney. The cut in absenteeism was described by Riley as “incredible growth” for the school, cutting the rate in half.

Riley also noted a change in how the Department of Education is educating schools on exceptions in absences, with a guidance document sent in August contradicting a guidance document sent in October. The August document stated a student’s attendance at a funeral would be considered a school absence, while the October document states a funeral as an exemption under religious service.

Riley speculated the changes were made by the department to satiate “a bunch of fire for the law.” He maintained the school will continue to adjust their policies based on guidance given by the Department.

In addition, chronic absenteeism was also approved by the department as an accountability measure for the Iowa School Performance Profile, which measures how school districts perform. Riley clarified the ISPP doesn’t accept excused absences in attendance, meaning the profile will measure all absences, even if exempt under chronic absenteeism law.

A review of the first few months of the four-day schedule was discussed. Despite the regular schedule removing Monday, East Union held classes this week on Monday, Oct. 21, to help accommodate PT conferences and have Friday, Oct. 25 as a PT development day. This schedule had confused some parents, who had scheduled student appointments for Monday.

Kuehl said he was glad parents were able to utilize the extra day for their kids’ appointments. From parents, he said he hasn’t heard any negatives about the schedule change. Kuehl gave a story to the board about when he was taking tickets for a football game. A kid had said to him how much he liked the new four day schedule, which had made Kuehl chuckle.

The board approved the acceptance of a donated bench in memory of Gerold Olson. The bench will be placed near the softball field. Olson was one of East Union’s bus drivers starting in 1976. He drove students to the schools for 26 years.

Partitions in the secondary boys’ bathrooms were approved to be replaced, with the board accepting a quote from SchoolFix, which was $8,000 less expensive than the next bid.

A trip to Indianapolis for the FFA East Union Chapter was approved by the board. The Chapter will attend the national convention.

Board President Adam Tallmon and Amber Tate were absent from Monday’s meeting. The agenda was led by Carol Eckels.

The following resignations and contracts were approved.

Resignations: Clarissa McCollough, concessions manager; Karla Weland, elementary para.

Contracts: Dennis Cheers, sub driver; Tanner Edwards, sub driver; Alex Kalbach, secondary PE/Health teacher; Shannon McMillen, concessions manager; Kaylin Lack, junior high girls’ basketball coach.