North Winneshiek Board Receives Award

Sioux City Board Honored

Exceptional support of the arts by two Iowa school boards has won them the 2009-10 Arts Education Award from the Iowa Association of School Boards and the Iowa Alliance for Arts Education.

Each year, school districts in two enrollment categories are eligible for the award: those with fewer than 1,000 K-12 students, and those with more than 1,000 students. One district is chosen to go on to a national awards program and vie for a $10,000 award from the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education and the National School Boards Association. The Sioux City school board was selected by an awards panel to move on to that competition this year. The winner will be announced in the spring.

“These school boards have made a strong commitment to high-quality arts education, even during tough budget times, and that is to be commended,” said Maxine Kilcrease, executive director of IASB. “Exposure to the arts helps students to be well-rounded individuals who can appreciate the cultural differences that surround us.”

"This award from ISAB and the IAAE represents excellence in recognizing a district that has realized and put into practice their philosophy that arts education is integral as a core subject for educating the total child. In preparing Iowa's students for the global workplace and giving them the edge for competition for any career, the skills of creativity and innovation, along with the ability to analyze and apply information, make quality arts education programs, with sequential curricula, essential for all,” said Diane Franken, executive director of IAAE. “We are pleased to recognize these two districts as model districts to which the rest of the state can look in evaluating their own programs."

The Sioux City school board was selected for its exceptional support of arts education. District staff ensure that all students are included in arts learning, via programs for students with special needs and a special program (TAG/Art) that identifies potentially gifted students from culturally diverse or economically disadvantaged families. Education leaders in Sioux City have built numerous partnerships with community organizations to utilize local artists and stretch their dollars, to extend their meaningful arts programs for students. In addition, the board has set clear standards and assessments to ensure art students are truly learning. David Law, president of the Iowa Music Educators Association and a judge on the selection panel, called Sioux City’s program “an oasis of arts instruction within a highly agricultural and technological area of our state.”

The Sioux City board/superintendent team includes Doug Batcheller (president), Walt Johnson, Jackie Warnstadt, Nancy Mounts, Greg Grupp, John Meyers, and James Daane (replaced by Molly Williams). Paul Gaus­man is superintendent.

The North Winneshiek school board, based in Decorah, was selected for the support and involvement that the entire school district and community gives to the arts education programs. Their application showed a high level of dedication from the staff members, administration and school board. Partnerships allow students the opportunity to work with Luther College musicians, as well as the Missoula Children’s Theatre, which sends two director/actors to the district in alternating years – everyone who tries out for the production is included. Class offerings in the arts are well-rounded and many are required throughout various grade levels.

The North Winneshiek board/superintendent team includes Phil Richert (president), Brenda Kreitzer, Ben Lange, Kent Foster (no longer on the board), Scott Fairchild and Myron Rediske (vp). Tim Dugger is the superintendent and Wendy Twait has replaced Deb Jones as board secretary.

The school boards were recognized in November at IASB’s 64^th Annual Convention and will both receive plaques to recognize their work.