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NL School Board Hears Need for Ag Classes in Curriculum
By Gina Anderson
Jan. 30, 2025 12:00 am
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
The New London School Board met in regular session on Jan. 20, 2025 with board member Lindsay Porter absent. They approved an amended agenda and the consent agenda. It included four fundraisers: eighth grade field trip/ wrestling cheerleading -elementary “Game Night”/ potential state wrestling T-shirts/ and performing arts musical T-shirts.
In public forum, Tracy Lair, speaking on behalf of the Ag committee, addressed the board. She made several points about why ag classes would be beneficial. She listed the following:
- She related her daughter’s experience with electives and how they have assisted in her learning in other areas. She gave the example of art classes that helped her with explaining the design elements of her HC fair project.
- The opportunity for New London students interested in Ag classes at this time are to either take them online or by Zoom at Danville or have the ability to drive to Mt. Pleasant.
- Mrs. Lair emphasized that Ag classes and participation in FFA is extremely beneficial as there are 235 unique careers in agriculture. It would give New London students something they might be interested in with an opportunity to explore it further. She stated that, “It is so much more than farming.”
- She stated that New London is the only rural school within 75 miles or more that doesn’t offer an FFA chapter or Ag classes.
- She related that a group of teachers have expressed concerns about the addition of Ag classes due to the impact they might have on student numbers for electives that are currently established as part of the MS/HS curriculum. She argued that more electives could help with student behavior and less time spent in study hall.
Six students currently take classes online at Danville or in-person at Mt. Pleasant for part of their instructional day.
Reports were the next order of business. MS/HS Principal Kracht was up first. There are several trainings coming up for active threat situations. NHS invitations will soon be going out. PLC has the teachers working on career exploration. Interventions for attendance, etc. are ongoing in the MS. He also went over upcoming senior activities.
Elementary Principal Palmatier reported on PLC work. Preschool and kindergarten parents’ nights are fast approaching as is the 100th day of school which is a fun day for students.
Superintendent Wahls discussed legislation and the proposed state aid is significantly low at 2%. It will be something to watch carefully.
He reported next on an Ag meeting he and Mike McBeth attended at Mt. Pleasant. Present were Mike Yaley, from Farm Bureau, and Derek Mullin, vice-president of the Mt. Pleasant school board. They discussed the collaborative effort that led to Mt. Pleasant’s establishment of an Ag program. A student survey led to the establishment of an Ag committee. It was determined that the group would have to raise $180,000 which would cover the teacher’s salary and supplies for three-years. After the 3rd year the school would take over the program. The New London contingent received a list of several businesses that contributed. With the legislation raising teacher salaries statewide, it would now require the amount needed in contributions to be $210,000. Wahls will continue to pursue this request and his recommendation will be on the agenda in February.
In personnel matters, the board took the following actions:
- Approved early retirement for Tammy Olson and Kari McAllister — elementary classroom teachers.
- Approved resignations — Katrina Bain and Crystal Owens — Special education associates.
- Approved the following appointments — Paxton Lindsey — snow removal @ $14.35 an hour when requested; Alexis Banks and Halee Porter — special education associates and Cheri Van Oss — special education associate substitute.
- Spring/summer schedule B appointments — Austin Burns — Head HS boys track coach; Jeremy Rohdy — Head HS girls track coach; Shane Barron — Head MS boys track coach; Bridget Swailes — Head MS girls track coach; Jackie Housman Co-HS golf coach (Hays/nay); Dennis Carter Co-HS golf coach (Hays/nay); Greg Lerdal — volunteer HS golf coach; Jayden Flowers — Head HS baseball coach; Corey Westerbeck — Assistant HS baseball coach; Emily Parks-Head HS softball coach (Hays/nay); Terri Hester-Assistant. HS softball coach; Morgan Christner Davis -Head MS softball coach; Breanna Mettler-Asst. MS softball coach; Tori Kenel-Group speech sponsor and spring performance production manager; Katelyn DeLlanos-Individual speech sponsor; and Mike Jones — Volunteer HS girls basketball.
The district continues to need a head and assistant MS baseball coach.
Superintendent Wahls explained that numbers dictate the necessity of hiring an additional special education teacher at level 3. Wahls requested the board’s permission to open this position immediately. It was approved.
The 2024-2025 SIAC committee was also approved. The board was reminded of a scheduled work session on Feb. 11 at 5 p.m. in the success center. The IASB — A Day on the Hill — is on Jan. 28 at 8 a.m. — 1 p.m. It is an opportunity to see legislation in action. Mark Lofgren and Taylor Collins represent the district.
The meeting adjourned at 6:41 p.m. The next regular meeting of the New London School Board will be Feb. 17, 2025 at 6 p.m. in the north campus boardroom.
