Camanche Community School District

The Camanche School District’s Board of Education met on Monday, February 15^th.  Please note that these are not the official minutes.  The official Agendas and Minutes from the Camanche Community School District school board are available and posted on our school district website (camanche.k12.ia.us).  

Items to highlight from this school board meeting would include:  

•  The three principals in the school district provided their perspective regarding the district’s use of an “Indian” mascot during the Public Forum.   A community member was present and also shared their perspective.  Since this topic was an item on the published agenda, the Board discussed the topic of the district’s use of a Native American Mascot and Imagery later in the meeting.  When discussed during that time of the agenda, Superintendent Parker provided his perspective regarding this topic.  He suggested retiring the mascot as being a way to allow the district to respect our past while to moving toward our future.  In summary, the school district’s superintendent and principals advised the Board that they believe the school district should discontinue the use of an Indian mascot and imagery at the end of the current school year. The school board had a lengthy discussion about this and acknowledged the different viewpoints about this topic present in the community.  They also indicated that they appreciated seeing the information regarding this topic that can be found on the school district’s website.  The Board encouraged community members to view this information as a part of forming an opinion about this topic.  The Board voted to table action regarding the mascot until its March 15^th meeting.
•  The Board approved having the school district end Hybrid Learning and return to Full In-Person Learning effective February 16^th.  This action complies with the State of Iowa’s mandate that schools do this.  The Camanche Schools will continue to require face masks be worn.  Also, social distancing will be practiced as much as reasonably possible.  Finally, the school district will continue its practice of intense cleaning and disinfecting.
•  Matt Gillaspie, from Piper/Sandler provided the school board with information regarding the upcoming sale of bonds by the school district.  This was made possible by the public’s support of our facilities bond referendum.  The Board formally entered into agreements with Piper/Sandler to serve as the school district’s financial advisor during this process.  The Board also formally approved having the Ahlers & Cooney Law Firm serve as legal counsel during this process.  Lastly, the Board passed a Resolution authorizing the sale of General Obligation Bonds and using the tax levy approved by the referendum to fund them.
•  The Board approved the recommendation renew the sharing agreement with the Northeast School District and Clinton Community College to hire a College and Career Counselor for our students.  This position will be funded with the use of sharing incentive money made available by the state.
•  The school board approved renewing the Camanche School District’s participation in the Partnership School Program, hosted by DeWitt, for the upcoming school year.  This program provides additional support for students beyond what is usually available in individual school districts.
•  After conducting a Public Hearing, the Board approved the calendar for the 2021-2022 school year.  This calendar represents the concept of a “Common Calendar” with other school districts in Clinton County.  A Common Calendar allows schools to better coordinate vocational course offerings with Eastern Iowa Community College and one another.  This includes the continuation of a one-week spring break in March.  This break would correspond with EICC’s spring break and the spring break of most school districts in Clinton County. 

  As is usually the case, the school board completed the meeting by approving administrative recommendations regarding personnel.