Noelle Hinrickson

The AHSTW Community School District's Lau (ELL) Plan outlines a comprehensive strategy for serving English Learners (ELs). Key pillars include fostering English language development and cultural pride, ensuring academic achievement through specific proficiency goals in literacy, math, and science by the 2025-2026 school year, and promoting cross-cultural understanding and parental involvement. The plan details processes for EL identification, placement in Language Instruction Educational Programs (LIEPs) like English as a Second Language, and providing access to co-curricular and extracurricular activities. It also emphasizes ongoing professional development for staff, annual English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA21) administration, clear exit criteria, and post-program monitoring to ensure sustained student success and program effectiveness.

The board meeting included a discussion on mask mandates, prompted by a visitor's concerns. Good news items included recognition of National Honor Society students, the Cross Country team's state competition performance, and a coaching award. The meeting also involved the second reading of the first half of the 400 series policies.

The board meeting covered various reports, including updates on the school audit, elementary and intermediate school activities, secondary school surveys and professional development, and technology upgrades. Key discussion items included a construction update on renovated school facilities, the creation of a preschool handbook and an early childhood committee, and the review of the staff handbook and high school graduation requirements. Action items included the selection of photography services, a transfer of funds for protective equipment, personnel matters such as a resignation and several employment approvals, and a superintendent update on meetings with the Iowa West Foundation and plans for a transitional kindergarten/preschool room.

The board meeting covered various topics, including student council events, FBLA accomplishments, school reports (elementary, intermediate, high school, technology, and activities), facility updates, the 2024-2025 school calendar, preschool age limits, cooperative agreements for activities, approval of the graduating class of 2024, change orders for the AHSTW renovation and construction project, approval of the District Career & Academic Plan, a resolution authorizing the redemption of general obligation bonds, approval of the Special Education Delivery Plan, approval of the AHSTW Playground Renovation Project, approval of a bid for testing and balancing work, an adjustment to the school calendar, approval of student participation in the Southwest Iowa Honor Marching Band, personnel resignations, a superintendent update on two passed bills, and negotiations in an exempt session.

The board meeting covered various reports, including the school business official report which detailed the review of the audit report, the movement of funds into certificates of deposit, and the completion of state reports. The elementary and secondary principals' reports highlighted academic achievements, student activities, and initiatives focused on improving school culture and climate. The technology director's report included updates on the emergency operations plan, device refresh, and student information system review. Discussion items included gym renovation updates, facility updates, and student achievement data, showing slight decreases in some areas but overall positive ACT scores. Action items involved approving architectural services contracts, a Healthy Homes contract, and an application for increased enrollment. Personnel matters included approving resignations and employment of several staff members. An exempt session was held to discuss negotiation strategy.