Board hears details of TLC plan
Marshalltown Community School District is one of 39 in the state selected for the Teacher Leadership Compensation (TLC) program for 2014-2015. Dr. Susan Pecinovsky, associate superintendent for student achievement, told the board more about what that system will look like within the District.
“This is exciting,” she said. “Over 140 districts submitted applications and they selected 39.”
The award was announced last week and will bring $1.6 million to the District for model classroom teachers, instructional coaches, and curriculum/professional development leaders. All the positions will be recruited from amongst current District Staff.
Model Classroom Teachers: $2,000 additional stipend and 5 additional contract days
- 36 Elementary
- 15 Lenihan
- 15 Miller
- 30 MHS
Instructional Coaches: $5,000-$7,000 additional stipend and 10 additional contract days
- 6 Elementary
- 2 Lenihan
- 2 Miller
- 2 MHS
Curriculum/Professional Development Leaders: $10,000-$12,000 additional stipend and 15 additional contract days
- 1 Elementary
- 1 Secondary
Dr. Pecinovsky and Superintendent Marvin Wade have a meeting with the Department of Education later this month to receive further guidance on implementation.
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Board reviews graduation, dropout rates
Marshalltown’s four-year graduation rate decreased and the five-year graduation rate increased according to figures released by the Department of Education last week.
The 4-year rate was 81.59 percent, down 3.5 percent from the year before.
“This isn’t the direction we want to be going when we have so many good things going in the district,” said Dr. Susan Pecinovsky, associate superintendent for student achievement. “This has to change.”
The 5-year graduation rate jumped from 81.77 percent to 89.37 percent. Dr. Pecinovsky noted the use of Net High has given more students the opportunity to complete credits in ways not available before, which could contribute to more 5-year graduates. Still, Dr. Pecinovsky said, the emphasis needs to be on getting students to graduate in four years.
“We want [students] to graduate, but we really need to get [them] the supports to do it in four years,” she said.
The 9-12 dropout rate for 2012-2013 was also up: 7.45 percent compared to 6.35 percent the previous year.
Dr. Pecinovsky said the numbers had been shared with high school administrators and the next steps are to look at the data to determine who these students are, what is happening if they aren’t graduating, and how more students can graduate in four years.
“Let’s not keep doing more of the same if it’s not getting us the outcomes we need,” Dr. Pecinovsky said.
Dr. Marvin Wade, superintendent of schools, stressed that this is a district-wide discussion, not just a high school issue. He said the District will need to examine supports and programming at all levels.
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History club taking trip to Chicago
The Delegation for the Advancement of History, an extra-curricular club at Marshalltown High School, will travel to Chicago March 21-22, visiting the Field Museum and the Art Institute of Chicago.
The Board approved the out of state trip, which will include 13 MHS students and two chaperones. The club is new to MHS and is supervised by social studies teacher Tim Johnson.
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Health Careers Club to visit St. Louis
The Marshalltown Area Health Careers Club will visit Washington University Medical School in St. Louis, Mo., April 4-5.
This is the third year the MHS club will visit a regional medical institution. GEAR UP and Marshalltown Medical & Surgical Center cover the trip costs. Dan Terrones, MHS dean of students, MHS teacher Erin Weatherly and MMSC CEO John Hughes will chaperone the 26 students.
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Tullis gives PEP grant overview
Matt Tullis, director of equity and learning supports, gave an overview of the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) grant at Monday’s meeting.
Details can be found here.
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Budget hearing set for April 7
The Board is set to vote on the 2014-2015 budget at the April 7 board meeting.
Monday the Board decided to publish a budget based on a tax rate of $18.15, an increase of $0.62 from 2013-2014. This would address both property devaluation and previous budget deficits, maintaining the overall financial health of the district in combination with the estimated budget reductions.
The proposed budget will be published in the Times-Republican and is also available here.
Marshalltown Community School District is considered “property poor” with an overall lower tax valuation than other Iowa districts. Property valuations dropped from $963 million in fiscal year (FY) 2013-2014 to $927 million in 2014-2015.
In the spring of 2013 the Board approved a tax levy of approximately $17.84 per $1000 valuation. This levy was based on zero percent allowable growth from the Iowa Legislature. After the levy was approved the Legislature approved 2 percent allowable growth and 2 percent one-time funding, allowing the district to decrease the levy to $17.53.
General Fund budget projections for next year show a $250,000 deficit. While the District saw an 80-student enrollment increase, there was also a 68-student open-enrollment increase. Early projections on salary and benefits packages show an increase of $1.66 million.
The increased tax levy would equate to an additional $33 in taxes on a $100,000 home.
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NOTES FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
By Dr. Marvin Wade, Superintendent of Schools
The selection of Marshalltown Schools for the Teacher Leadership and Compensation System was great news for many reasons, including the opportunity to expand continuous improvement efforts currently in place. Among other things, TLC funding will allow us to extend the Comprehensive Literacy Model from its current K-6 implementation to K-8. It will also support skill development in Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol for teachers K-12. Applications for Model Classroom Teacher, Instructional Coach, and Curriculum/Professional Development Leader positions will soon be announced. When the positions are posted, I encourage instructional staff to consider applying for one of these new professional opportunities. The positions are available only to current employees of Marshalltown Schools, so I anticipate a strong candidate pool since we have a large number of truly outstanding teachers.
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NOTES FROM THE BOARD
By Sherm Welker, Board President
Tonight the Board considered options on property tax rates for funding our upcoming school year. We have a history of holding our tax levy rates constant and adjusting our services accordingly. Many know that the State has started the roll-back of commercial property valuations throughout Iowa. This effort will change the balance of property tax burden over the long term, but for the short term it will affect the funding of schools, local, and county governments. Like these other entities, MCSD will be challenged to reduce services to meet the funding decline of 3.5% while our cost rise and estimated 4% this next year. As a Board, we can raise tax rates and funding to accommodate the changes and can continue to provide consistent services to the community. As in any business, our rate of return for your investment needs to be reviewed and weighed by our tax payers. We ask for your input as we consider the choices that affect our District.
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Several B&G change orders receive approval
The Board reviewed and approved change orders from four separate constructions projects Monday night.
First, a change order for the Support Services Building addition and site development resulted in a $6,612 savings. Change orders related to remodeling the old Anson Middle School for administrative offices added $22,786, which still falls within the 5 percent contingency budget.
Change orders for the Roundhouse project ad a net addition of $40,677 and a change order for the Miller Middle School 1957 classroom remodel was $16,652.
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Policy
First Reading
504.30 Students with Pediculosis (Head Lice), changes recommended by school nurses, waive second reading
504.31R Administrating Medications to Students – Administrative Rules, changes recommended by school nurses
Initial Review
504.32/R Special Health Services for Students, mark reviewed.
505.2 Student Activity Fund, mark reviewed.
505.3 Class or Group Gifts to School, bring back for first reading.
505.4 Commencement, mark reviewed.
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Personnel – Click here.
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The Board Report 