New London CSD Sees Enrollment Increase

The New London School Board met on Oct. 21 with all members present. The evening started with the annual meeting. Superintendent Wahls gave background information on the spending patterns and the need to monitor it closely. The certified annual report was approved.

The next item was the special education supplement. There is a deficit this fund. The school is serving 25 students who come from other districts and some have high needs. These students’ home districts are billed. The board approved an allowable growth supplement of $173,426.02 for the special education this year.

The transportation report was next. The net cost for the last two years was $207,784 and $196,404. Costs are up about $7,000. They approved the transportation report.

This ended the annual meeting report and they started the regular meeting. No one addressed the board in open forum. They approved the agenda and the consent agenda.

The board approved three fundraisers: girls and boys basketball apparel and wrestling apparel.

Next were reports. Elementary Principal Palmatier’s report was given by Principal Kracht as he was not in attendance. The board was informed about Red Ribbon week and Thanksgiving and Christmas plans for food deliveries and other activities. The student advisory group is discussing a starting a safety group to help with the crosswalk with assistance from the SRO.

The MS/HS report was next. The high school is looking at improving individual employability skills. Blood Drive is on Oct. 30. The fall play is Nov. 8 & 9. Parent-Teacher conferences have been completed, and the new cellphone policy is working well. Parents have been supportive.

The Superintendent was next. He spoke about the resiliency of the students and their handling of the tragedy in Sept. Many students used the counseling services that were provided.

He received an update from SCC. Last year New London students took a total of 552 credits, both on-campus and online. Two or three New London HS students have earned an AA degree as they earned their HS diploma over the years. It takes a lot of commitment.

Personnel changes were next:

The next item was board business. The board approved 2024-2025 certified enrollment:

They approved the Enhance Henry County Grant that is applied for every year. They are asking for new carpet in the auditorium to replace the carpet that is about 30 years old.

The board also approved student handbook attendance updates to match the attendance policy.

They approved sharing Ag classes with Mt. Pleasant. New London CSD will pay student tuition to Mt. Pleasant CSD.

They discussed issues around the shared Ag program/FFA. A few parents have reached out to Board President Lindsay Porter and shared that they would like to see further discussion around what it would take to create an Ag program and FFA at New London. Lindsay Porter is interested in an exploratory group to see the feasibility of starting a New London program. Porter and Jen Loyd will meet on Nov. 11 at 6 p.m. in the success center with any interested students and parents.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 6:50 p.m. The next meeting of the New London school board will be Nov. 18, 2024 at 6 p.m. at the north campus boardroom.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com