News : VS board honors Rickels, Hazen; welcomes Hicok, Schminke

Megan Rickels holds her name plate and plaque at her last meeting as VS school board member.

Board Secretary Brenda Barkdoll administers the oath of office to the newly-elected members.

VS School Board Pres. Sue Gates presents a plaque to outgoing board member Angela Hazen.

Megan Rickels went home from her last meeting as a member of the Vinton-Shellsburg School board, where her husband and sons had made her favorite meal.

It was one of several expressions of thanks that Rickels and fellow board member Angela Hazen received as they left the board after serving two terms. Each chose not to seek re-election. Kyle Schminke, who was born on the same day as Rickels, will replace Hazen, representing the Shellsburg area. Vinton resident Jason Hicok will take Hesson's place.

The school board meeting on Monday was divided into two parts. Rickels and Hazen sat with the rest of the board as it wrapped up its business from the previous fiscal year. Then after a break, Schminke and Hicok took their chairs. Those two, along with re-elected incumbents Kathy Van Steenhuyse and Brenda Bartz, recited the oath of office to officially begin their four-year terms. (Rickels and Hazen served seven years because state law changed a school board members term from three to four years while they were in office.)

In addition to recognizing the new and retiring members, the board also met many of the new teachers, who attended a reception in their honor.

"People always ask me how the new school year is going, said Superintendent Mary Jo Hainstock. "I can tell you that we have had a great start to school year thanks to many, including the new staff members working hard to make the transition."

The retiring board members discussed the accomplishments of the previous year, which included the "Black & Gold Hours" volunteer program, which rewards students for time spent volunteering throughout the area.

"I have heard many positive comments about the impact of that program in our community," said Van Steenhuyse.

Other accomplishments mentioned include: Teacher Quality Funding for professional development opportunities, including technolorgy classes; approval of the Teacher Leadership and Compensation Plan, which resulted in the district receiving $500,000 for instructional coaches and other leadership positions; a 20+ point gain in Middle School Iowa Assessment scores over the past four years; and the changes in the entrances at Tilford and Middle School buildings to make them more secure.

Hainstock then made a short orientation presentation about the role of the school board in the education process.