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A schematic drawing depicting Phase 1 of the Roundhouse renovation
Roundhouse project enters design development
The Roundhouse renovation project is entering the design development phase after a presentation of schematic drawings met with informal approval at Monday’s Board meeting.
Joe Benesh and Phil Hodgin from RDG, the architectural firm handing the Roundhouse project, presented schematic drawings of both phases of the project, as well as artistic renderings of the completed facility.
In order to create the schematic designs, RDG held focus groups with students, teachers, maintenance staff, and others who utilize the facility. They worked with the Design Advisory Committee, comprised of community members, Board members and district administration, to come up with a design to meet the community needs.
“We’ve distilled everything we’ve heard and everything we’ve learned into some design options,” Benesh said.
Benesh and Hogdin also stressed they want to preserve the iconic nature of the Roundhouse, will adding and enhancing it to create an impressive landmark.
“Your guests will be impressed and intimidated and you’ll be proud,” Hodgin said.
The School Board has committed $9.1 million toward the project, which will include new entrances, Hall of Pride, concessions, restrooms, locker rooms, weight room, roof, floor, bleachers, and a lot of mechanical and HVAC upgrades. A second phase, which would add a new wrestling room and auxiliary gym, will cost an additional $3.7 million and is contingent on community fundraising.
The project now enters the design development phase, where more detailed drawings are created. This phase should be completed around April 1 RDG says, at which time it will come to the Board for approval in order to begin working on blueprints and specifications.
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District receives positive feedback from Site Visit
Representatives from the Department of Education spent three days in the district last week as part of a required Comprehensive School Improvement Visit. Though their formal report will not be available for 60 days, they gave informal feedback to district administration Thursday, Jan. 17.
The Site Visit team was impressed with the progress seen since the last visit five years ago, noting a consistent understand of the district mission, vision and goals across different groups. The Site Visit team interviewed teachers, administrators, support staff, parents and students as part of the process, and noted there was a strong sense of partnership and collaboration.
Team members were particularly impressed with the community Not In Our Town initiative, and said one of the highlights was their time interviewing Marshalltown High School students.
The Site Visit also included a document review of everything from Board Policy to personnel files. The district received three notes of noncompliance, which Superintendent Marvin Wade noted were all easily fixed. Two included changing language in Board Policy, which the Board began addressing during Monday’s meeting. The third was a missing evaluation in a personnel file, which will also soon be corrected.
Dr. Wade and Dr. Susan Pecinovksy, associate superintendent for student achievement, noted the hard work of everyone in the district for continuing to focus on improving student achievement.
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District examines integrating digital literacy into curriculum
Digital literacy is an important skill for students to find success in the 21st Century. Through the help of learning.com, Marshalltown students will soon find these skills integrated into their regular classroom instruction.
Ronnie Manis, district instructional applications specialist, and Chris Niemeyer from learning.com gave an overview of their services to integrate digital literacy education into core instruction. Instead of adding new curriculum, learning.com adds technical skills components to current instruction, from keyboarding and word processing to online safety. The goal is to increase the digital literacy of students, preparing them for the demands of school and work in the 21st Century.
The district is still working on the details of how this will be rolled out across schools and integrated with different subject areas.
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NOTES FROM THE BOARD
By Sherm Welker, Board President
Tyler Kluver at the ceremony to receive his game jersey last fall.
This evening we were reminded that once in a while, life gives us an experience that can grow us beyond our expectations. MHS senior Tyler Kluver spoke concerning his recent experience while playing in the 2013 Under Armor All-American High School Football Game. It was obvious that Tyler has worked diligently to develop his athletic skills and talents that took him to this venue. He is an example of what dedication, hard work, sacrifice, and determination can accomplish when we set our goals at a high level and then work to achieve our goals. It is our role as parents, educators, counselors, coaches, administrators and mentors to help our students succeed in athletics, scholarship and life. We are extremely proud of Tyler and his accomplishments. We know he will represent us well as he moves into college and through his adult life. Thank you for reminding us as Board members what we can achieve when we put forth enough effort to reach our goals.
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NOTES FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
By Dr. Marvin Wade, Superintendent of Schools
Expectations for student use of technology now far exceed merely being able to use a desktop computer. Twenty-first century students must be “digitally literate” – able to locate, use, summarize, evaluate, create and communicate information while using a variety of digital devices. Tonight’s presentation on Digital Literacy focused on the district’s commitment to strengthen our curriculum in this important area. Future presentations will be devoted to infrastructure, policies, devices and support materials consistent with our technology vision of promoting innovative practices that prepare students for success in an ever-changing global society.
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POLICY
First Reading
401.4 Employee complaints, approve as amended, waive second reading.
Initial Review
401.10/R – Credit Cards, mark reviewed.
401.11 – Travel Allowance, mark reviewed.
401.12/R – Employee Use of Cell Phones, mark reviewed.
600.1 – Nondiscrimination, change language according to the recommendation of the Site Visit Team, bring back for first reading.
603.12 – Internet – Appropriate and Safe Use, change language according to the recommendation of the Site Visit Team, bring back for first reading.
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PERSONNEL – Click here.
The Board Report 