Summer School underway
Summer school programs are underway across the District in the month of June.
All elementary schools are offering Ladders to Learning, a summer learning program facilitated by Area Education Agency 267. The program offers reading and math instruction, though schools are offering one or both based on student needs.
Lenihan Intermediate and Miller Middle schools are offering summer tutoring sessions for reading, math and academic vocabulary. Marshalltown High School has credit recovery sessions for English, math, science, social studies and English Language Learners.
Rogers Elementary will also host its Rogers University.
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MHS cheerleaders set to perform at Chiefs game
Marshalltown High School Cheerleaders will perform at a Kansas City Chiefs football halftime show Aug. 10. 2012.
Stephanie Farrell, MHS cheerleading coach, said the team will participate in the Chiefs’ Spirit Day halftime. On Aug. 4 the 16 cheerleaders will travel to Kansas City to learn the routine. They will return to Kansas City on Aug. 10, to perform at halftime.
Farrell said the team plans to do some fundraising this summer.
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Board approves MEA contract settlement
The Board approved a settlement with the Marshalltown Education Association for a 3.6 percent total package increase in 2012-2013.
The agreement provides a $605 increase on the base salary, with a new teacher earning a minimum salary of $34,962 (BA Step 5) and continuation of health, dental and vision insurance.
The total increased cost to the district is $756,000.
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Agreement reached with paraeducators
The Board approved an agreement with Local No. 238 of the Teamsters Union representing district paraeducators.
The agreement gives a 2.25 percent increase for 2012-2013. A new longevity pay schedule will also be placed in effect for employees with at least seven years of service. Employees in this category will not receive the 2.25 percent wage increase, but instead receive longevity pay ranging from 35 cents per hour to 80 cents per hour.
The total additional cost to the district is approximately $102,500.
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2013-2014 calendar approved
The Board approved the calendar for the 2013-2014 school year.
School will begin Aug. 20, 2013. Instead of a full week of spring break, there will be an extended break around Easter (April 17 & 18, 2014). One of the in-service days previously held before school starts will be scheduled Jan. 17, 2014. The last day of school will be May 29, 2014.
The district has received an Innovative Calendar Waiver for 2013-2014, so there will be another calendar created later for one or more buildings.
The Board also approved a waiver for an early start for the 2012-2013 school year, which begins Aug. 21, 2012.
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Discipline, attendance data review
The Board reviewed a report on district discipline and attendance Monday night.
Lisa Koester, director of human resources and student issues, presented numbers for the 2011-2012 school year, noting some areas of celebration and some places where more work is needed. Incidents of in-school suspensions decreased from 2010-2011, as did expulsions. Incidents of out-of-school suspensions increased this school year. Koester said part of the reason could be the increased accountability and work to crack down on inappropriate behavior. Board members expressed the desire to see the continued expansion and implementation Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports throughout the district to help decrease incidents of misbehavior.
District attendance rates saw an jump from 2010-2011, going from 93.42 percent last year to 94.37 percent this year. All elementary schools were above the Strategic Action Plan’s overall goal of 95 percent.
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Notes from the Board
By Kay Beach, Board President
Just a few years ago Marshalltown schools were perceived as being unsafe for students. All kinds of reasons were given for this perception, but the bottom line is that it was believed by a huge number of people in our community. This was a serious situation for at least two huge reasons: (1) No one wants children in an unsafe environment, and (2) Parents, consequently, began sending their children out of our district. Our school leaders realized that this perception/situation required major attention and serious action. Tonight we received a report that clearly indicates that in the realm of behavior, things are turning around and looking up. In all our schools children are given clear explanations of the behavior that is expected in the school setting and also a clear explanation of the consequences of unacceptable behaviors. A positive, safe environment is essential to good learning; and if we are to be a “district of choice” (which is our goal,) we absolutely must provide that kind of environment. Congratulations and thanks to all of our district administrators, teachers, support staff, and students for making great strides in improving the climate of our schools. Keep up the good work!
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PERSONNEL
Resignations
Anel Garza de Sandoval, Woodbury kindergarten, effective June 1, 2012.
Kylee Vopava, Lenihan Grade 6 teacher and 7th grade volleyball coach, effective at the end of the school year.
Kelley Dickey, MHS social studies teacher and assistant girls golf coach, effective July 31, 2012.
Eric Hunerdosse, Woodbury Learning Supports Specialist, effective July 20, 2012.
Sara Reed, Miller drama coach, effective at the end of the 2011-2012 school year.
Nicole Clark, Franklin paraeducator, effective at the end of the 2011-2012 school year.
Alicia Nunez, Lenihan paraeducator, effective at the end of the 2011-2012 school year.
Kelsey Sawtelle, MHS paraeducator, effective June 1, 2012.
Jordan Johnson, Franklin paraeducator, effective June 1, 2012.
Terminations
Erin Hoskins, Woodbury paraeducator, effective May 2, 2012.
Appointments
Matt Cretsinger, Director of Special Services. Mr. Cretsinger is currently program assistant for special eduation at Heartland Area Education Agency. He has also been team leader for Behavioral Supports and a school psychologist. Start date: July 1, 2012. Salary: $89,000.
Jacy Large, Miller principal. Mr. Large is currently director of support services in Ankeny. Previously, he was principal of South Hamilton Middle School/High School in Jewell, Iowa. Start date: July 1, 2012. Salary: $99,000.
Mallori Ghent, Franklin Grade 3. Start date: Aug. 15, 2012; Salary: BA Step 5.
Jhanell AlSamhan, MHS art. Start date: Aug. 15, 2012; Salary: MA Step 5.
Naomi Terbetski, MHS ESL. Start date: Aug. 15, 2012; Salary: MA Step 5.
Caitlin Toppler, MHS ESL. Start date: Aug. 15, 2012; Salary: BA Step 5.
Natalie Elliot, Franklin Grade 1. Start date: Aug. 15, 2012; Salary: BA Step 5.
Morgan Boehmer, Miller Grade 7 Reading/Language Arts. Start date: Aug. 15, 2012; Salary: BA Step 5.
Stacey Tool-Crawford, Rogers school nurse. Start date: Aug. 15, 2012; Salary: 3 year Step 11.
Diane Peden, MHS 10-month counseling secretary. Start date: Aug. 13, 2012; Salary: $9.65/hour.
Alicia Nunez, Lenihan 10-month secretary. Start date: July 25, 2012; Salary: $9.65/hour.
Change of Contract
Susan Baker, Special Education Level II LD/BD. Change from Miller to Rogers Aug. 15, 2012.
Jessica Cakrasenjaya, change from MHS ELL to English/Language Arts Aug. 15, 2012.
Karen Roessler, change from Lenihan ELP to Woodbury/MACS Title I Aug. 15, 2012.
Pam Atcher, change from 10-month vault secretary to 10-month counseling secretary at MHS, Aug. 9, 2012.
POLICY
Second Reading: 701.5 Post-Issuance Compliance Policy for Tax-Exempt Obligations approved as presented
First Reading: 203.1 two sentences added, waive second reading
Initial Review: 203.5 School Improvement Advisory Committee, make it comply with Iowa Code 280.12, change to say final selection shall be approved by the Board and superintendent shall appoint an administrative representative; 203.6 Legal Counsel, mark reviewed; 203.7 Administration in Absence of Policy, mark reviewed.
The Board Report 