Iowa-Grant board approves new head lice policy

The Iowa-Grant School Board spent half their meeting Monday deciding on how to handle head lice if it appears in the district.

The board ended discussion when they took action to adopt the Neola recommended policy revisions which updates their current policy.

The policy points out that:

“Head lice are present in the community at all times and can be particularly prevalent among pre-school  and elementary school-age children. Lice are a nuisance, but do not spread disease. Control of lice infestation is best handled by adequate treatment of the infested person and his/her immediate  household and other close personal contacts. Contracting head lice is not an indicator of cleanliness or  socioeconomic status.”

If a child in the District is found to have head lice or untreated nits the procedure adopted will be that  school staff will notify the parent and recommend to pick up the student immediately and administer  an FDA-approved lice treatment (e.g., pediculicide/ovicide), (treatment by a qualified healthcare  provider, or treatment at a clinic specializing in lice and nit removal.) 

If a student with live lice or  untreated nits is not able to be picked up immediately, they may remain in the classroom for the  remainder of the school day.  

Students may return to the classroom after the appropriate use of an FDA-approved lice treatment  (e.g., pediculicide/ovicide). After treatment and upon returning to school, the child will be examined  by the school health staff, other designated staff members or principal. The District practices a policy  of "no live lice" as a criterion for return to school.  

Most of the discussion involved keeping someone with lice in school, sending them to the nurses office or sending them home.  The policy, which was a second reading, passed on a close vote.

REPORTS

District Administrator Michael Shimshak informed the board about a WISDOT project that will improve the Pecatonica River Bridge on CTH G in the Town of Mifflin. The project will take place in 2024.

Shimshak also presented the board with the WASB resolutions approved at the annual WASB convention. He said the WASB lobby representative will be presenting to the Legislature when appropriate.

PERSONNEL

The Board approved a resignation request from softball coach Brian Coulthard.

PROJECTS

Shimshak gave the board an update on the summer projects.  He said the service panel at the high school is ready for bidding and will be sent to Alliant for review. The well house project has one quote with another expected this week. The carpet project at IGEMS will begin after the Little Theater and is planned to be ready for the start of the school year.

ACTION ITEMS

The board approved the adoption of Academic Standards as required under state statute 120.12(13).  The approval is done annually.

School lunches will see a 10 cent increase due to higher milk costs. Reduced lunches will remain the same.

Prices for lunches approved by the board were:

-$3.00/lunch for Early Childhood, & 4K - 4th grade

-$3.35/lunch for grades 5-12

-.40/reduced price lunch for Early Childhood, & 4K - 12th  grade (no change)

-$1.60/breakfast for Early Childhood, & 4K - 4th grade

-$1.70 /breakfast for grades 5-12

-.30/reduced price breakfast for Early Childhood, & 4K - 12th  grade (no change)

-.40/milk for Early Childhood, & 4K - 12th  grade

Shimshak said there will be a new system for milk which will be ala carte.

The board approved a resolution to continue operations until the annual meeting to allow short term borrowing.  This is done to assure being able to meet obligations while waiting for payments from the state.

A contract addendum for speech and language services from CESA 3 was approved. The approval was delayed until the positions could be filled at CESA #3 to provide the services.  Cost to the district is $245,235.00.

The board gave approval to a cheerleading activity/fundraiser for a cheer clinic for elementary and junior high students. The clinic cost will be $45.00.

DONATIONS

The board approved the following donations:

-$640.70 from Carmel-Peniel Church toward unpaid lunch balances.

-$100 from Safe and Stable Family toward Missoula Theater

-$1000 from the Red Bandana Committee to go toward unpaid lunch balances.

CLOSED SESSION

The board met in closed session to discuss personnel and returned to open session to take the following action:

Spring Coaches

Golf - Art Pronschinske

Baseball - Head Kyle Riemenapp

Baseball - Assistant Zach Raimer

Softball Head Coach - no recommendation

Softball Assistant Coach - Greg Slack

Track Head Coach - Alexis Stevens

Track Assistant Coaches - Marla Simon & and Jacob Winkler

High School Assistant Girls Volleyball Coach

Shae Gillespie

High School JV Girls Basketball Coach

Makayla Loeffelholz

IGEMS P.E. teacher Joseph Woodhouse