Vickie McCool

The strategic plan for South Hamilton aims to prepare students for the world in which they live by focusing on several key areas. These include fostering social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health; building a strong literacy and math foundation with personalized support and diverse learning opportunities for student achievement; strengthening community engagement through partnerships with families and the community; and attracting and retaining students by promoting the district's strengths and creating an inclusive environment.

The strategic plan for South Hamilton Community Schools focuses on providing a safe environment with high educational standards. Key areas include enhancing social-emotional learning and behavior support, building a strong literacy foundation, and offering diverse learning opportunities in STEAM fields. The plan also emphasizes community engagement, maintaining enrollment, and promoting student and staff well-being.

The board meeting covered various topics, including open enrollments, financial reports, and updates on the homeschool assistance program. Reports were given by the superintendent, elementary principal, secondary principal, technology director, and director of grounds and maintenance. The board approved several policies, reviewed the 2024-2025 school calendar, and addressed snow makeup days. Discussions included school safety and security, a supplemental aid request, early retirement incentives, and the Teacher Leadership and Compensation program. The board also considered a K-6 interventionist position, an iJAG partnership, a stipend for mentors, a baseball/softball concession stand project, an elementary playground project, a revenue purpose statement, a staff wellness program, a contract with The Donovan Group, the disposition of obsolete equipment, and personnel matters. Finally, the board appointed a negotiations team and scheduled a workshop.

The South Hamilton Board of Education meeting covered various topics, including legislative updates, summer building projects, school board elections, and back-to-school events. Financial reports were reviewed and approved, along with several fundraisers. Open enrollments were processed. The board approved the appointment of Title IX, Affirmative Action, and Homeless Coordinators, as well as a Level I Investigator. Handbooks for employees, preschool, elementary students and teachers, junior/senior high students and teachers, and coaches were approved. Board policies were reviewed and approved. Intra- and inter-fund transfers were approved. The disposition of two minivans was addressed. A closed session was held to discuss confidential records and student discipline. Personnel matters, including resignations and hires, were addressed. Upcoming school board elections were announced.

The South Hamilton Board of Education meeting covered various topics, including financial reports, flexible benefit reimbursements, bill approvals, and membership dues. Discussions included summer building projects (window replacement, air conditioning, roof and gutter replacement, lighting updates, tuckpointing, boiler replacement, and more), technology updates (Chromebook configuration and delayed switch replacement), athletic updates (ticket pricing and cashless ticketing), and policy updates and review (multiple board policies). The board also approved the appointment of the Board Secretary/Treasurer, authorized district signatories, approved depository banks and limits, a copy machine lease renewal, van purchases, and submitted legislative priorities to the Iowa Association of School Boards. Finally, the resignation of a coach was accepted.