Keota Students Excited for Tests

KEOTA – During the March 15 meeting of the Keota School Board, Superintendent and High School Principal Lisa Brenneman stated that students are putting in a great amount of effort on the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) tests, to try and make up for last year’s low scores. Brenneman brought up one student who said “We don’t let other schools beat us in basketball, so why do we let them beat us in academics?” Board Member Dan Redlinger stated his kids were the most excited he’s ever seen them about tests. Brenneman stated several students stayed after school to finish tests.

The board approved spending $3,000 for four years for a new website to be made by Neopolitan Labs. This is an increase from the $2,500 the district currently pays for the current website, but the new website will offer more features. Elementary and Middle School Principal Seth Milledge stated that it is a “wild west time” of open enrollment and that it is prudent to have a good website to attract students.

Board President Billie Kindred requested the district start tracking why students open enroll at other schools. The board approved using Governor's Safety Grant money to purchase new phones and switches, planning to connect the two schools and put phones in every room. The board approved having teachers and associates only make up three snow days, instead of five, after Memorial Day. The board discussed renovating four classrooms in the elementary school to feature new flooring and cabinets. The baseball fence installation has been completed. Milledge stated that he gave a walkthrough to a student from the Washington school district who wants to switch to Keota because they heard about the four-day week.

A public hearing on the new calendar will be held on March 25. Senator Chuck Grassley will visit Keota on March 26 at 1:30 p.m., to teach kids about how the Senate works and answer school-approved questions from students.