District moves forward with bond sale process
The Board took the next step toward selling $10 million in revenue bonds Monday night, accepting a bid from Suntrust of Townson, Md., and slating final approval of the sale for the Oct. 21 meeting.
Suntrust had the lowest interest rate (2.92 percent) among the bids received. Matt Gillaspie from Piper Jaffray told the Board they received very favorable interest rates and compared Marshalltown’s bond sale to several comparable sales in other Iowa districts.
The $10 million will be used to fund work in the District Facilities Plan, which includes the Marshalltown High School Roundhouse renovation and the Support Services Center remodeling.
The bonds will be paid back over time using future one-cent sale sax revenue.
—
Marshalltown Schools receive PE, nutrition grant
Marshalltown Community School District is the recipient of one of 60 grants under the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP).
Marshalltown Schools will receive $494,201 in year one of the three-year grant out of the combined $32 million awarded Monday by the U.S. Department of Education. Funding is intended to assist with initiating, expanding, or enhancing physical education and nutrition education programs, including after-school programs, for students in grades K-12. The PEP program is aligned with and supports First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Active Schools initiative to get kids moving before, during and after school.
“Through the collaborative effort of the Healthier Communities Coalition in Marshalltown, we have laid the groundwork toward educating students and families about the benefits of physical activity and healthy eating habits,” said Matt Tullis, director of equity and learning supports and coordinator of the district Safe Schools/Healthy Students initiative. “We know there is a direct link between physical fitness and student achievement. This project will move us toward our goals and will certainly benefit all of Marshalltown.”
In 2013, PEP applicants were invited to align their proposals with seven “design filters” for creating engaging, high-quality physical activity programs. Applicants could also receive points for focusing their efforts on the persistently lowest-achieving schools in their area. More than half of awardees chose to address one or both of these two new priority areas for the PEP program.
“Healthy, active students do better in school and in life,” said Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education. “These grants will help schools and communities educate students on the value of healthy lifestyles through programs that get kids moving and teach lifelong healthy habits.”
All PEP grant recipients must implement programs that help students make progress toward meeting their state standards for physical education. In addition, these programs must undertake 1) instruction in healthy eating habits and good nutrition, and 2) physical fitness activities that include at least one of the following:
- Fitness education and assessment to help students understand, improve, or maintain their physical well-being
- Instruction in a variety of motor skills and physical activities designed to enhance the physical, mental, and social or emotional development of every student
- Development of and instruction in cognitive concepts about motor skills and physical fitness that support a lifelong healthy lifestyle
- Opportunities to develop positive social and cooperative skills through physical activity participation and
- Opportunities for professional development for physical education teachers to stay abreast of the latest research, issues, and trends in the field of physical education.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Healthy Students manages the PEP grants and supports efforts to create safe schools, ensure the health and well-being of students, teach students good citizenship and character, respond to crises, and prevent drug and alcohol abuse.
For additional information on the PEP grant program, visit http://www2.ed.gov/programs/whitephysed/index.html
—
Board receives annual secretary/treasurer’s report
Marshalltown Schools has a strong general fund balance according to a report from Kevin Posekany, director of business operations and Board secretary. There was caution that the fund balance declined in 12-13 and the solvency ratio fell slightly below the acceptable level.
Posekany gave the annual secretary/treasurer’s report to the Board Monday evening, showing fund balances, revenues and expenditures over the last three years. He also reported on Days Net Cash and Solvency Ratio, both of which have fiscal goals set forth in a new board policy developed last year.
Days Net Cash is the total cash and receivables divided by the value of total expenditures divided by 365 days. Board policy sets a goal of 60-75 days. The district met the goal, having 66 days net cash.
Solvency ratio is the assigned and unassigned fund balance divided by the actual general fund revenues minus AEA flow-through dollars. It means what percentage of revenue would be left over of the District closed its doors on June 30 of the fiscal year and ceased to exist. Board Policy sets 8-10 percent as the annual goal, which the District missed by 0.41 percent (2013 solvency ratio was 7.59 percent).
—
Roundhouse gift made in honor of longtime Bobcat coach
A pair of Marshalltown High School alumni and their family are making a generous donation to the Roundhouse renovation project in honor of longtime coach George Funk.
The donation from Bob and Sally Becker (’47) and their family will be above the “Diamond Level” of $25,000. The family requests a photo and plaque displayed near the new athletic offices or the Hall of Pride recognizing Coach Funk for his contributions as a MHS coach and athletic director.
—
Asbestos removal quote approved
Controlled Asbestos Inc. of Ankeny will complete asbestos removal in the Support Services Center remodeling areas.
The asbestos in contained in ceiling tile glue in the upper levels. Removal will cost $40,000.
—
Project Lead the Way change order approved
The Board approved change orders for the Project Lead the Way renovations at Marshalltown High School totaling $9,994.
The change orders include a combination of additional costs and cost reductions. The largest additions included a drainpipe rerouting, mechanical changes, and the rebuilding of an office space.
Work is scheduled for substantial completion at the end of this month.
—
NOTES FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
By Dr. Marvin Wade, Superintendent of Schools
During Monday’s meeting the Board of Education did a First Reading of the Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive Program for Licensed Teaching Staff, Twelve-Month Secretaries, and Administrators (Policies 314.1, 407.7 and 413.7, respectively). The Board requested changes be made to clarify deadlines (e.g. “by September 30” instead of “in the first quarter”) and the default status of the program if the Board does not take action by the deadline stated in policy.
All three Early Retirement policies have been rewritten and will return for another First Reading during the Oct. 21 board meeting. First Reading means the policies could be approved that evening if the Board chooses to waive a Second Reading, so individuals wanting to comment on Voluntary Early Retirement are strongly encouraged to attend the Oct. 21 board meeting at 317 Columbus Drive.
The newly revised policies may be viewed on the MCSD website by clicking on the “Staff Resources” tab. Questions about the policies should be directed to Director of Human Resources Lisa Koester, Director of Business Operations Kevin Posekanyor Superintendent of Schools Marvin Wade.
—
PERSONNEL – Click here.
The Board Report 