CC/E board mulls open enrollment requests

A long list of open enrollment requests created debate for the Clay Central/Everly school board on Aug. 28.

Twenty applications were submitted for approval prior to the meeting. Of that list, four students had attended CC/E last year. The rest either recently moved into the district from another, were older than sixth grade, or lived in the district but did not attend CC/E in the past.

"It's a big number," Superintendent Kevin Wood said of the list. "We knew we'd be having that discussion here. I just wanted to get the board's thoughts."

The board immediately approved nine of the open enrollment requests, as they were for preschoolers or kindergartners and met the application deadlines. Students in those grades have a later application deadline than those in older grades.

Six other open enrollment applications were then approved for students who moved into the district but wanted to remain at their prior school. Two other applications were tabled pending a tour of the Royal facility with the students and their parents.

A majority of discussion centered on three applications from a family whose children had attended CC/E last year and started the school year in Royal. The applications were submitted after the deadline, and the family did not qualify for any special exemptions.

Board Member Allyn Heikens believed the applications should be denied.

"It's just like other schools' buses coming into our district...we say no on that because the state doesn't allow it," she said. "No exceptions apply here."

Board Member Allison Goyette said she would normally agree with Heikens; however, open enrollment rules were once again changed during the past legislative session, which she believed caused some confusion among families. Now, people must apply for open enrollment by March 1 to be fully considered. Previously, the Iowa Legislature had removed all deadlines from the process.

Goyette believed a lack of communication from the school district to patrons about the changes was grounds enough to accept the three open enrollment requests.

"We want this school to thrive and we want butts in seats, but there was no communication that normally would have happened," she said.

Board President Denny Dalen said he didn't like "sticking procedure over a family making a difficult decision."

"For me personally, I would have a hard time telling them no," he said.

Wood said that while he would like to see the students stay, the family would very likely apply for open enrollment next year and meet the reinstated deadline.

"Regardless, they're going to be gone after this year," he said. "Whether it's now or it's March 1, it's going to happen."

Heikens made a motion to reject the three students' open enrollment requests, but it died due to a lack of a second. A motion was then made by Board Member Amber Campbell to approve the requests, which passed 4-1 with Heikens dissenting.

Prior to the votes, the board briefly discussed the new open enrollment deadlines. Heikens believed it was important for CC/E administration to inform families of cutoff dates in the future.

"I still think failure to communicate is not a good thing," she said. "I think we need to tell patrons that this is the state law."

• Flooding necessitates repairs

In other business, the board accepted a bid from Thrasher Foundation Repair to address water issues in the teacher workroom, two lower restrooms and two lower classrooms for $20,879.64. During June's heavy rainfall, a large amount of water seeped through the first floor on the east side and made its way into the hallways, bathroom and two small offices.

Thrasher's work is hoped to prevent a similar issue from taking place down the road.

"It's something you don't want to do, but it's something that's right for the building," said Wood. "We hope to be in this building for a long time. I think if it's something that you want to do, you do it right."

The project will be paid for out of the district's PPEL fund.

"We are acting proactively so we can continue to use refrigerators, copiers and other things in the teacher work room without concern when larger amounts of rainfall occur in northwest Iowa," said Director of Student Services Michelle Huntress. "This has not been a serious flooding issue, but we know the cracks could grow over time. Therefore, we do feel it is time to do repairs in order to keep our building water-free now and in the future."