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NL School Board Continues Discussion Around SRO Position
28E agreement with county has since been drafted, but district won’t have officer on-site until it’s finalized
By Gina Anderson
Aug. 29, 2024 12:00 am
The New London school board met in regular session Aug. 19, 2024 with all members present.
Josh Housman addressed the board in public forum. He is concerned and believes that certain members of the board are not following policies that concern chain of command, ethics, due process issues, and dealing with public complaints.
They approved an amended agenda and the consent agenda.
Next they heard a report from Superintendent Chad Wahls. He attended a PLC conference along with the elementary principal and several elementary teachers. He felt it was a worthwhile conference that provided “good learning for all.”
The School Resource Officer was a discussion item, as the district currently doesn’t have a formal agreement for the role with Henry County, called a 28E agreement. Until there is a 28E agreement between the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and the school, there will be no SRO at New London Schools. The superintendent has asked the New London Police to be attentive of school activities until the SRO issues are resolved.
However, the Henry County Board of Supervisors approved a 28E agreement drafted by Sheriff Rich McNamee at their own meeting on Aug. 22, according to Wahls, who attended the meeting.
The next step in the process is for the New London’s legal counsel to review the 28E agreement language and either make suggested changes or accept it. This could result in the 28E agreement needing to be reviewed again by the Henry County Supervisors if changes are made. If no changes are necessary the 28E agreement will need to go before the New London Board of Education for approval. When this is all complete, then the Henry County Sheriff will need to post the position of SRO to be filled.
The Board took the following actions:
- Approved NLMS fundraiser for eighth grade trip to St. Louis — popcorn/candy sales.
- Approved permission to travel out of Iowa for activities.
- Approved an agreement with Dr. Benjamin Carter for athletic services/trainer for all home events and various tournaments.
- Approved sharing .2 Human Resources with W-MU (contingent on W-MU’s approval).
- Approved sharing .2 Special Education Director with W-MU (contingent on W-MU’s approval).
- Approved legislative priorities: employee recruitment and retention, funding equity, and area education agency system support statement.
- Personnel: Resignations — Melissa Jacobs/football cheer sponsor; Brenna Mettler/HS assistant girls basketball coach; and Tara Schulte/District secretary. Appointments — Samantha Brauman, Katrina Bain, and Chelsa Flot — Special education associates; Emma Kenel — .5 Special education associate; Duane Blint — Part-time transportation assistant; and Rachel Nealey — kitchen worker.
- Approved Lanie Szewczyk — Volunteer Esports sponsor.
The Board approved the first reading of Senate File 2435 of the school attendance expectations that was signed into law on May 9, 2024 and became effective July 1. It details public school attendance requirements. It requires specific school actions based on a student’s rate of non-exempt absences. Districts must adopt an attendance policy and when necessary, collaborate with county attorneys, conduct school engagement meetings, and work with county truancy officers.
The district must set board policy that includes:
- The number of days or hours of required attendance.
- Reasons considered to be acceptable excuses for absence from school-related to absenteeism and truancy.
- Rules relating to children who are chronically absent. The policy or rules must contain provisions that clearly explain 1. How a student is deemed chronically absent; 2. Interventions that may be used when a child is chronically absent; and 3. Actions associated with a child being chronically absent.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:03 p.m. The next regular meeting of the New London school board will be Sept. 18, 2024 at 6 p.m. in the north campus boardroom.
