Carroll Community School District (CCSD) Superintendent, Dr. Casey Berlau addressed concerns from a group of more than 400 parents and stakeholders regarding the district in an email last (Wednesday) night. Berlau says the message was necessary to respond to inaccuracies that are circulating in the community. The first is claims that 50 teachers are planning to leave the district by the end of the year. According to Berlau, that figure is incorrect. Nineteen teachers have submitted their resignations to date, which is the same number to resign during the 2020-21 school year. He notes the circumstances for each individual vary, but it is the board’s and administration’s goal to retain teachers. The second issue concerns dual-credit enrollment courses through Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC). In the email, Berlau notes that CCSD plans to offer a nearly identical list of courses through DMACC as it did in previous years, and he does not foresee any substantial changes to the working relationship they have with the community college. Earlier this school year, the board was approached by two students requesting adjustments to the minimum required credit hours because they had already met their graduation requirements. This prompted some board discussion on the topic, but school officials did not alter the existing requirements for graduation. Berlau says parents, staff, students, and community members would be involved in the process if these standards were to change. The final issue was the number of complaints issued about an administrator within the district. Berlau says, “We have processes written in district policy that we follow to address any concerns, and I can assure you all that the concerns brought forth to me have been taken very seriously.” The board of education meets tonight (Thursday) at 5:30 p.m. at Adams Elementary School.
