New London School Board makes key hires

The New London School Board met in regular session on Feb. 22 with Lindsay Porter absent. They approved the amended agenda and the consent agenda. No one addressed the Board in public forum.

Clark Elementary fifth-grade student, Mila Howard, presented her reflections on the Iowa Association of School Boards’ Day on the Hill.

Attending with Superintendent Wahls and Board members Tasha Gipple and Jesse Howard, who happens to be her dad, Mila presented to the full Board. She built her presentation on her own and with impressive composure, presented to a room full of adults. She did a great job!

Elementary Principal Palmatier reported to the Board. Highlights included Parent-Teacher conferences will be March 7 and 9. Parent night for incoming kindergarten students is Feb. 28 and for incoming preschool students is March 2. ISASP testing will be March 20-24.

MS/HS Principal Kracht reported next. Scheduling will soon begin. This will include concurrent enrollment classes. There will be a Schedule Day with teacher presentations and development of a four-year plan for incoming freshmen.

Superintendent Wahls reported on the gym construction and how it is progressing.

School Counselor Jackie Housman presented Handbook changes. Graduation requirements remain at 52 credits, but some classes were changed. The science curriculum may have additional classes. The recently hired science teacher has endorsements that could fit into Iowa curriculum that could generate a new class or two. The Handbook changes were approved.

The FY 2024 proposed budget is on hold until the assessor refigure property values due to recently passed state legislation. But the Board approved the public hearing on the proposed budget for the April 17 Board meeting.

The District calendar for 2023-24 was approved. Highlights include:

• School start — Aug. 23, 2023

• End of 1st semester — Dec. 21, 2023.

• Winter break — Dec. 22 — January 2.

• 2nd Semester begins — Jan. 3, 2024.

• Spring Break — March 11-15, 2024.

• Graduation — May 19, 2024.

• Last day of school — May 24, 2024.

In other Board business, they took the following actions:

• Approved building risk insurance — $5,376

• Approved the new weight room flooring quote of $17,845.74. It will be installed in house.

• Approved weight room equipment purchase financed by sponsorship money.

• Personnel — Resignations: Brady Schmidt — Assist. MS Baseball coach; Tori Kenel — Individual speech sponsor; and Austin McBeth — Assist. HS football coach. Appointments: Wyatt May — HS Science Teacher; Darrin Loyd — Head HS football coach; Jeremy Rohdy — Head HS girls track coach; Katie DeLlanos — Individual speech sponsor; Cory Reid — Spring Esports sponsor; Austin Burns — 6th grade campout director; Jackie Housman- Volunteer HS golf coach; Reed Kempker — Volunteer Esports sponsor; Jade Hobbs — Volunteer weight room supervisor; and Steven Francis — Full-time 2nd shift custodian.

• Approved 75c wage increase for custodians Tom Martin and Curt Yetter — effective March 1.

At 7:19, the Board went into closed session to discuss negotiations. At 8:10 p.m., they came out of closed session and adjourned. The next regular meeting of the New London School Board will be March 20 at the North Campus Board room at 6 p.m.