Board reviews Strategic Action Plan
The Board reviewed the District Strategic Action Plan Monday night, examining the goal, objectives and indicators that will measure success.
The Strategic Action Plan if focused on one goal: Increasing student achievement.
There are three main objectives tied to this goal, each one with measurable indicators the District will use to monitor progress:
• Improve academic performance
• Increase readiness for further education and employment
• Ensure schools are safe and organized to promote student achievement
District administrators reviewed the strategies and actions needed to meet the plan goal, describing the work as “reasonable, attainable and aggressive”.
The Board also reviewed a calendar for reporting on progress under different areas of the plan, including a community-wide report on progress each October.
The Strategic Plan was incorporated into Policy 100 of the Board policies, which outline district philosophy, mission, beliefs and expectations.
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Board approves B&G contract
The Board approved a wage and benefits package for district buildings and grounds employees Monday night.]
The new package changes from a two-tier wage schedule to a 5-step program based on labor grade and years of service. The new package increase will cost the district about $68,000, which represents a 3.01 percent increase. The settlement will cover July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2014.
The district currently employs 47 buildings and grounds employees.
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Art dept. plans trip to Chicago
A group of high school and middle school art students will be spending a day in Chicago March 24.
The Board approved plans for a trip to visit the Chicago Art Institute Museum and the Art Museum at Northwestern University. A total of 34 high school students, eight middle school students and 12 adult chaperones will attend.
Art Club fundraising proceeds are helping to defray some of the costs.
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NOTES FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
By Dr. Marvin Wade, Superintendent of Schools
This evening, the Board of Education heard an administrative report about the district’s Strategic Action Plan. Board members then completed the First Reading of Policy 100: District Philosophy, Mission, Beliefs, and Expectations. Throughout tonight’s discussion, the Board conveyed a commitment to ensuring all students receive a high quality education in a compassionate and engaging environment of high expectations and accountability. I look forward to reporting the progress our students will make over the next several years – and to celebrating the success that will result from the work of dedicated students, parents and staff.
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NOTES FROM THE BOARD
By Jennifer Wilson, Board Vice President
The Marshalltown Community School Administration has been working hard to update the 1994 District Philosophy, Mission, Belief, and Expectations policy.
This comes at a time where the strategic agenda has been defined as the “road map” towards meeting the goal of the district, which is “To increase student achievement”. Every decision made within the district has to answer the question, “Will this increase student achievement”? If it doesn’t then we shouldn’t be doing it! Whether at the board, administrative, building, maintenance, or support services level we, as an organization, will continually ask ourselves to relate all decisions back to our goal in the strategic agenda.
Policy 100 will be a fundamental tool to engage all staff, teachers, students, and administrators towards a common goal. Decisions made throughout each department will be expected to correspond with one of three objectives: improvement of academic performance, increase readiness for further education or employment, or to ensure that our schools are safe and organized to promote student achievement. At the beginning of every board meeting the district’s mission statement is read; “To nurture students to become intellectually and personally empowered for citizenship in a changing world”. I believe the strategic action plan will give district employees, students, parents, business leaders, and community members the opportunity to embrace the changes that will come through the numerous actions steps and ultimately lead MCSD towards becoming central Iowa’s district of choice.
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PERSONNEL
Resignations
Vance Turner, MHS vocational skills teacher, effective at the end of the 2011-2012 school year. Has taught in district for 11 years.
Amy Stepec, Lenihan Grade 5, effective at the end of the 2011-2012 school year. Has taught in district for 6 years.
Disa Benefield, Franklin Grade 3, effective at the end of the 2011-2012 school year. Has taught in district for 7.5 years.
Todd Reed, 8th Grade Boys Basketball Coach, effective Feb. 17, 2012.
Melissa Seltman, Fisher LI Tutor, effective Jan. 19, 2012.
William Bucklin, Bus Driver, effective Feb. 29, 2012.
David Case, 7th Grade Boys Track Coach, effective Jan. 15, 2012.
Nicole Jones, Lenihan paraeducator, effective Feb. 23, 2012.
Retirement
Betty Hayek, Rogers School Nurse, effective at the end of the 2011-2012 school year; has been employed with district for 15 years.
Voluntary Retirement Incentive
Nancy Klar, administrative assistant to Associate Superintendent, effective June 30, 2012; has worked for MCSD for 34 years.
Kathryn Elsberry, administrative assistant at Lenihan Intermediate, effective June 30, 2012; has worked for MCSD for 20 years.
Appointments
Rod Hassler, substitute bus driver. Start date: Feb. 2, 2012. Salary determined by route.
Change of Contract
Sue Crawford, Lenihan LI Tutor. Start date: Feb. 21, 2012. Change from 6 hours/day to 7 hours/day.
Pamela Sowers, Lenihan LI Tutor. Start date: Feb. 21, 2012. Change from 4 hours/day to 7 hours/day.
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POLICY
100, District Philosophy, Mission, Beliefs, and Expectations will return as a Second Reading; 100.2, Equal Educational Opportunity, waive second reading; 101.1, Long-Range Needs Assessment, will return as a First Reading.
The Board Report 