HEAD: AGWSR School Board to recognize trap team; approves SCI proposal

SUB-HEAD: Board reopens diesel bids following error

By Corey Meints

Ackley World Journal Editor

                ACKLEY One of the decisions made Dec. 13 by the AGWSR School Board meant a group of students would be recognized. Another decision meant an area of need was recognized. Yet another decision was made to correct an error made earlier this school year.

                Dale Stockdale and Robert Harms were present to discuss the AGWSR High School trap team that has won one state title and qualified for the nationals in just over four years in existence. The successes prompted Stockdale and Harms to ask that the school recognize the team as an official school program. Stockdale, who helps coach the team and sponsors them by hosting shoots at the Stockdale Gun Club west of Ackley, said the city has a rich history in trap shooting. Stockdale himself was an All-American, joining his father Merle. He noted Merle is also a National Hall of Fame member. It is Dale’s desire to continue that tradition, and the tradition embarked on over the past few years, by having the school establish trap as a school sport.

                A detailed proposal, submitted to the board, listed many benefits of the program. The rationale, as stated in the proposal, is that trap shooting instills values and opens opportunities to students who may not otherwise be involved in extracurricular activities. Such values are part of the teams already established rules, such safety and responsibility for actions. Each member of the team already follows rules set forth by the Amateur Trapshooting Association which mirrors many policies in existence for other sanctioned high school sports.

                Board member Allen Jaspers asked if the team would fall under the same good conduct and academic policies as other teams at AGWSR. Stockdale indicated that the ATA rules, in many cases, are even stricter than the school’s policies. The proposal indicated that students who exhibit careless range behavior will withdraw from the team. Also, students who display violent behavior or bring firearms on to school property will not be allowed to participate. In addition, students who have two unexcused absences from practice will be dismissed from the team.

                While the Board declined to make it an official sport at AGWSR, members agreed to include the team in official school announcements and to award athletic letters to deserving team members. Trap shooting is not a sport sanctioned by the Iowa High School High School Athletic Union. Still, schools from across the state send teams to the State Trap Shoot in Cedar Falls each spring. The Board decision means the team will be noted with letters, awards day ceremonies, a spot in the yearbook and other things.

Board approves SCI proposal

                In the same sense that the trap shooting program is booming, another growing population within the district is special needs students. As a result, AGWSR elementary principal Sherry Caldwell presented a solution that will both take care of those students and be more cost effective to the district.

                Currently, the district has four special needs students in the district who will need a change in programming. At least two or three of them need school programming not offered at AGWSR. To remedy that, Caldwell proposed the implementation of a Self-Contained Classroom with Integration (SCI) Program for elementary and middle school special needs students. There are no neighboring school districts presently that offer such a program. The closest such programs are in Cedar Falls and Marshalltown.

                The SCI would not only give AGWSR the opportunity to educate its own special needs students, but also open the door to students in other districts needing such a program. Caldwell indicated that Iowa Falls and Eldora-New Providence, as well as up to four within three AGWSR district, each has one such student in need of the SCI Program. The advantages to such a program include the fact that AGWSR will educate its own students. Other benefits include monies kept in the district, no transportation costs and the integration of elementary and middle school students.

                Caldwell estimates that the program would generate $106,769.52 in state funding were it in existence today. That money would be enough to implement the program, including salaries, IPERS and FICA and insurance for one certified special education teacher with TEACH Model training and experience, and two associates. The program, proposed for next school year, will be housed in the Wellsburg Learning Center. Board president Jim Stotser reiterated his past concern that the district was throwing money and bodies at a problem. He added to those concerns when he requested a detailed listing of how the district is handling its special needs students.

                I don’t want to keep putting Band-Aids on the problem, Stotser stated. ÒI want to know what the plans of the district are in the long run.

                Caldwell stated that she believes this to be a solution for the future as she sees the program only growing. This is the biggest Band-Aid were going to find, she stated. But it’s more than that, it’s a fix because there will be a curriculum to fit these students needs. This will meet their needs better than we have in the past.

                The Board agreed, approving the start of the program. Advertising for the three positions will begin immediately.

Board fuel spill?

                While not affecting the education of students, either in the classroom or otherwise, the board made a decision that directly affects the financial status of the school.

                Due to a misunderstanding regarding the contract for diesel awarded to Wellsburg Ag earlier this school year, the board elected to reopen bids.

                Dave Lutterman, owner of Wellsburg Ag, erred on the bid that was ultimately awarded to him. Instead of listing the per gallon discount as asked for on the bid application, he listed the then current posted price with the five cent discount. The board awarded the bid to Lutterman believing they had locked in diesel at a cost of $1.25 per gallon for the year.

                Gruenberg Oil, at the time of bid letting, offered a four cent discount to the price of diesel at the time of tank fill. Instead of voiding Lutterman’s contract bid of a five cent discount per gallon and awarding the contract to Gruenberg, members opted to reopen the bids as both know each others offer.

                The new bids will be opened and discussed at the January meeting. Until that time, the district will stand by Lutterman’s contract.

                In other business, the AGWSR School Board:

¥ approved three requests for early graduation at semesters end.

¥ tabled one open enrollment due to an improper application, while approving three other open enrollments out of the district.

¥ granted maternity leave to Title One Math and Reading teacher Sue Brandt. Brandt’s request will keep her out of the classroom until after Christmas break.

¥ approved a request by the Xi Zeta Sigma Sorority to use the AGWSR High School Commons for their annual Christmas Craft Fair on Nov. 19, 2005.

¥ discussed a school needs assessment questionnaire to be sent out to district patrons in the near future. The board also discussed possibly including an auditorium in future plans as per the most recent public input on needs. No action was taken. However, most on the board agreed that an auditorium is a luxury that can not be justified at this time.

¥ named Pat Scallon and Jim Stotser to the negotiation team.