It was a night of honors and hires for the Iowa-Grant School Board at their monthly meeting Monday.
After closed session the board took action on several employments and volunteers.
Hired were Chris Aultman as high school girls wrestling coach, Cory Schultz as assistant boys basketball coach and Eileen Gorsline as middle school forensics advisor.
The board approved $100 stipends per event for the Gifted and Talented program. Approved were Karyssa Prohaska for Geo Bowl, Nate Flesch for Quiz Bowl, Tricia Sporle for Math 24, Kyle Riemenapp for Mtah 25 and Rebecca Vacha for Lit Wars.
Accepted as volunteers are Corinne Rolli, classroom volunteer; Carter Grim, girls basketball; Amanda Thompson, Panther Dancers.
Honored for their contributions and placed on the WASB Business Honor Roll were Aspen Ridge Home and Garden, Ritchie Implement, Inc, The Friendly Place, Collision Specialists and Fillback Family of Dealerships. Board President Ross Leix presented certificates to Aspen Ridge, The Friendly Place and Ritchie Implement. The rest will receive their certificates in October.
The student report to the board highlighted the Great Steak Night at the October 18 football game, Homecoming on October 2 and a mock accident October 9.
Superintendent Michael Shimshak told the board the staff has been surveyed for their imput on what they would like to see in a new superintendent. He also recognized the excellent showing by Iowa-Grant students at the recently completed Iowa County Fair.
Shimshak discussed declining enrollment with the board and how it will affect district finances. He said it appears the next two years will be fairly stable then there could be a downturn in student numbers. He also discussed the state’s deductions to the district’s revenue limits on the non-recurring exemptions.
The board discussed its social media presence and heard about a new course at the high school that will feature social media production. Leix told the board there are a lot of positive happenings in the district that should be noted on the district’s Facebook page.
Action taken by the board included approval of an early graduation request with the student having the option to walk the stage for graduation ceremonies and approval for the music department’s annual pasty sale. Donations received with gratitude included:
-$4550 from Kate Johnson in memory of Dustin Johnson
-$500 anonymous for IGEMS school supplies
-$500 anonymous for high school school supplies
-$150 plus labor from Aspen Ridge for plants in the high school vestibule -$135 from Trinity Episcopal Church for Panther Packs
-$100 from Grace and Steve Knutson in memory of Robert Day, a 25 year member of the school board and a prominent dairy farmer. The donation was for milk for the students.
-Book bags and school supplies from Collins and Hying and Dodgeville Kiwanis.