W-MU discusses possibility of moving south, at least for district basketball play

BY KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

WINFIELD ? The Winfield-Mt. Union basketball team could be moving to a different conference district, according to Superintendent Jeff Maeder.

Maeder addressed the possible conference move during the school board?s regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

?Because Van Buren and Harmony (school districts) are going to merge next year and Maharishi (is) sometimes not able to field a team, south schools are concerned they aren?t going to be able to fill their schedules,? said Maeder.

Maeder said the talk has been whether the Southeast Iowa Super Conference should become just one division or keep it as two divisions.

?Just to clarify, this is a basketball issue because of the number of play dates,? said Maeder. ?We?re already doing one conference for baseball and softball.?

Maeder said the supervisors for the various schools in the district voted 14-3, he believes, to remain two divisions ? the north and the south schools. ?However, to balance it out, there is a team in the north division that needs to move to the south division.?

Maeder said his worry is that since W-MU geographically sits in the middle of the two districts, the school may be forced to move to the southern district. Pekin, WACO and Mediapolis are also centrally located and could also be options to move to the southern district. Maeder said the decision would be made on Oct. 28, so he was asking the board what their feelings were on the subject.

?I?d be strongly opposed to going south,? said School Board President Klay Edwards.

Edwards listed the long travel to southern districts and the amount of time the kids would be away as reasons for why he?s opposed to a district move. And we?d be losing all of our natural rivalries and our gate money for home games,? Edwards added.

Joy Sparrow agreed with Edwards, saying she would prefer staying in the north district.

?I think for our kids benefit, for travel, we?re better off staying in the north division so that?s what I?m going to advocate for us,? said Maeder.

In other sports related matters, Maeder said he spoke to the Winfield City Council concerning the condition of the softball fields. Maeder said he sought out the council to see if they?d be willing to help fix the field, which needs to be graded to divert water and the city agreed to a 50/50 cost sharing. Maeder added the field also needs new fencing and that he would approach the board and council again with more concrete cost estimates.

During Elementary School Principal Gabe Wylder?s report, he said the district has interviewed several candidates for the English Language Learners (ELL) position and both candidates turned down the district?s offer.

?Mr. Maeder and I have been in conversation about some different options since we?re into October and we don?t have this position filled,? said Wylder.

Currently, the district has two students that need ELL support.

Wylder said one of the options is using technology to meet the students? needs. ?We?ve put out feelers to other districts. The idea would be having a certified ELL teacher provide their expertise over Zoom (a video call),? said Wylder.

Wylder said with time constraints due to traveling between districts, he felt using technology to connect teachers with students might be a good way to go.

At this point in time, Kindergarten teacher, Karen Venghaus, has been working with ELL students.

Maeder added that the district would also utilize an online software program called Imagine Learning, which aids students with language development.

In other business, the board approved a resolution to consider participating in the Instructional Support Levy and to schedule a public hearing. Board Secretary Carmen Benson said this year the district will generate $183,214 and will average approximately $180,000 each year. The levy is for five years and comes from local property levy rates and income surtax. The levy allows schools to increase the spending authority of general funds. The public hearing will be on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

During the meeting, the board also reviewed board policy regarding alternative programs, instructional materials, instructional arrangements and instructional services. The board approved the Iowa Association of School Board?s updates to several policies, including: 503.1 Student Conduct - update language pertaining to the discipline of special education students; Summer School requirements 410.2, 505.2 and 603.2 to have reading supports in place to help struggling readers.

Lastly, the board approved the resignation of Chris Hinkle for junior high boys basketball coach. Hinkle was then hired as an assistant boys basketball coach. The board also approved the hiring of Jill Blake, co-junior high girls basketball coach; Mark Janecek, co-junior high boys basketball coach; and Robert Helgerson, co-junior high boys basketball coach.

The next school board meeting will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 6 p.m., in the school?s media center.