The Keokuk School Board could soon see a list of potential superintendent candidates.
Business Manager Greg Reynolds says applications will be accepted through July 9. He says Ray & Associates (Cedar Rapids, IA) will review the applicants in the hopes of presenting a final list to the board by July 23rd.
“They are then going to interview (candidates) the following week,” says Reynolds. “I believe the 30th and 31st (of July) is the plan.”
Keokuk hopes to have a new superintendent in place before the start of the school year.
Current Superintendent Lora Wolff is leaving to take a teaching position at Western Illinois University. Her last day is scheduled for August 13 as the school board recently extended her contract to help with the transition.
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT LEVY
A key funding source for the district is on track to remain in place for the near future.
The district’s instructional support levy is set to expire next June.
The school board does not want to wait for that to occur, so it has agreed to extend the lease an additional five years.
Wolff says the district receives about $700,000 each year from the levy. The money can be spent on anything related to direct instruction.
Wolff says in Keokuk, the money funds about 15 teaching positions.
Residents have 30 days to petition for a public vote on the levy extension. If no opposition surfaces, the extension will move forward.
Keokuk’s instructional support levy has been in place for nearly 15 years.
ATHLETIC TRAINING
Great River Medical Center (West Burlington, IA) will handle athletic training duties for the district during the upcoming school year.
The one-year contract calls for athletic trainers to attend multiple home and road games during a variety of seasons.
There is no cost to the school district.
AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM
Efforts are underway to fill a void in the district’s schedule for the upcoming school year.
Keokuk will dismiss all students about an hour early on Wednesdays to give faculty and staff more time for professional development.
The district, the local YMCA and St. Paul United Church of Christ are coming together on an afterschool program to cover the early dismissal.
Pastor Matt Hunt says the program would target elementary age students to “teach them things about accepting others, work ethic and the value of education. We want to give them multi-cultural experiences.”
Hunt says the goal is to sign up 60 students for the first year of the program. It is scheduled to be held from 2:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. on Wednesdays.
Hunt says adding more days or allowing more students would depend on the availability of volunteers and resources.
Keokuk’s previous afterschool program was disbanded due to a lack of money.
