The Board Report

Several music teachers in the district presented an update to the board. Pictured are, front row from left, Sara McCue, Sue Walsh and Jolene Kubli. Back row, Maggie Williams, Brett Umthun, Bret Lee and Jacob Barker.

Recognitions
Rachel Inks, ELL and Migrant program coordinator for the district, was recognized by the board for her advocacy award at the recent Iowa Culture and Language Conference. Inks said she accepted the award on behalf of the hard working staff throughout the district.For more information on the award, click here for the story in the employee newsletter.

Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte commended Board President Bea Niblock for receiving two certificates for completing courses in better boardsmandship from the Iowa Association of School Boards.

Personnel
For personnel items, click here.

The personnel items included the retirement Ann Noe as custodian at Woodbury. Ann has worked for the district for 22.5 years.
“We thank her for her service,” Niblock said.

K-12 music presentation
District music staff presented to the school board including Jolene Kubli, Sue Walsh, Jacob Barker, Sara McCue, Bret Lee, Maggie Williams and Bret Umthun.
Lee said music is important because it helps students build connections with the school.
“It gives them a great outlet to explore and learn more of who they are,” Lee said.
The teachers reported the numbers of students involved in music is growing, especially at the Lenihan and Miller levels, with hopes that continues into high school.
For the presentation document, click here.

Upcoming concerts
• December 6: Miller Band Concert (7:00)
• December 8: Lenihan Band Concert (7:00)
• December 11: MHS Holiday Concert – Band & Choir (3:00)
• December 12: Miller Choir Concert (7:00)
• December 13: Woodbury 2nd-4th Grade Concert (1:00)
• December 15:
• LenihanChoirConcert(7:00)
• 5-12OrchestraConcert(7:00)
• Rogers2nd-4thGradeConcert(2:15)

Student/Staff Showcase Fisher Elementary School
Fisher Principal Vicki Vopava and instructional coach Jennifer August, presented assessment data.
“Teachers are very enthusiastic about the work we are doing ,” Vopava said. “I believe strongly in these teachers who are doing extraordinary work in the classroom.”
Fisher’s young readers and writers then read short stories including kindergartner Alyssa Green, (with teacher Cynthia Eggers), first grader Bryson Payne (with teacher Mandi Nunn), first grader Delia Robson (with teacher Mary Pepper), second grader Eduardo Pineda (with teacher Mary Brown) and third grader Madelyn Seltman (teacher Courtney Albee).

Alyssa Green

Bryson Payne

Delia Robson

Eduardo Pineda

Madelyn Seltman

Students pictured clockwise from top left, Alyssa Green, Bryson Payne, Delia Robson, Madelyn Seltman and Eduardo Pineda.

The Promise of Iowa
The board approved this resolution, which was unveiled by the Iowa Association of School Board Convention. Board Vice President Janelle Carter read the resolution.

Application to the School Budget Review Committee

This is a request for additional spending authority for additional students we gained this year, open enrollment out and ELL beyond 5 years.
This authorizes the district to spend the money on these additional expenses. The motion was approved by the board

Asking for spending authority for River Hills Special Education program.
This would allow to capture administrative cost of $1,494.79.
The motion was approved by the board.

Thoughtexchange Software System & Professional Services
This is a web-based tool to help engage the community. In particular this will help in the strategic planning process and monitoring issues that rise to the top through this process.
The three-year proposal has a cost of $37,743. The board approved the agreement with Fulcrum Management Solutions, Inc. for Thoughtexchange Services.

Board Policies
The following polices were approved and second reading waived.

103 Long-Range Needs Assessment – Approve
103.R1 – Long-Range Needs Assessment Regulation
204.9R1 – Board Calendar
905.1 Use of School Facilties – Application Form

MHS Roundhouse- Phase 2
The Phase 2 project of the Roundhouse with a wrestling room and an auxiliary gym is moving forward. More than $2.6 million has already been raised for this project.
Kevin Eipperle of the architectural firm FEH Design presented briefly to the board.
The board approved a contract with FEH to design Phase 2.
“We are pretty excited about this opportunity,”’ Eipperle.

The public is invited to a presentation on plans and options at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 30 in the team room at the Roundhouse

The board then went into a closed session to conduct a quarterly evaluation of the Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte.

Next meeting
The next regular school board meeting will be at 5 p.m. December 5 in district offices.

From Board President Bea Niblock
“Tomorrow begins your Thanksgiving holiday break. As you sit down with family and friends, may you experience the ‘attitude of gratitude’. In every single moment of your life, something good is happening in your life. All you have to do is see it.

Dr. Alan Zimmerman, motivational speaker, tells the story of Helen Keller, one of the most incredible women of the 20^th century. When asked by a small boy if it was terrible that she couldn’t see, she gave a most remarkable response. She said how much more terrible it must be to have eyes and not be able to see. She was able to see the good in her life.

I wish you a restful holiday and an ‘attitude of gratitude’ where you can see all of the good things in both your professional and personal life and give thanks for them.” – Bea Niblock

Veterans Day Recognition

Ross Harris reads the Veterans Day proclamation

Board member and veteran Ross Harris read a proclamation from President Barack Obama honoring veterans with Veterans Day coming November 11.
A listing of veterans in the Marshalltown Community School District who notified the district of their veteran status was displayed at the meeting.

“Footloose, the Musical” cast members, from left, Hadley Wagner, Carissa King, Hannah Shirar and Bell Russell performed a song from the upcoming show to the board.

“Footloose, the Musical”
Four of the cast members from the MHS production “Footloose, the Musical” along with vocal director Amy Ose attended the meeting. Cast members Bell Russell, Carissa King, Hannah Shirar and Hadley Wagner performed “Holding out for a Hero” for the board. The musical is at 7 p.m. both November 11 and 12 at the MHS/Community Auditorium. Click here for more information on the show.

Roundhouse Public Art Committee members are pictured with a scaled down version of the sculpture which will be located outside of the Roundhouse. Pictured at the table from left are Justin Sorensen, Heidi Dalal and Amber Danielson.

Drills- Roundhouse Public Art Project
Committee members Heidi Dalal , Amber Danielson, Mary Giese, Justin Sorensen and Rick Simpson presented about this sculpture project which will be located outside of the MHS Roundhouse. The 18-foot sculpture is scheduled to arrive on November 28. Look for more information on a public event for this sculpture in the future.
“It is such a great addition,” said Board President Bea Niblock.

Personnel
For personnel items approved by the board, click here. One addition to the personnel hiring list is Allison Meyer, who is coming on as the district payroll specialist and will start at a pay rate of $19.25 an hour.

Miller Middle School Student Council members presented to the board. Pictured talking is Avery Case. Others pictured, from left, are Megan Sills, Natalie Duncan, Yuliana Juarez-Dirks, Juan Hernandez and Carson Johnson.

Student/Staff Showcase- Miller Middle School
Miller Principal Pat Rial, teacher advisor Lindsey Roberts and students Avery Case, Megan Sills, Natalie Duncan, Carson Johnson, Yuliana Juarez-Dirks, Juan Hernandez presented.
Duncan said they try to improve the middle school experience for all students and strive to help the community. The group talked about different events organized by the council to help build school pride.

Certified Enrollment- 2016-17
For the enrollment report, click here. Enrollment is at 5,436.2 up from 5,320.63 last school year, which is a gain of 115.57 students.
“This is a really important number for us for budgeting purposes,” said Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte. “This will bode well for us as we head into the next budgeting year.”

Updated Teacher Quality Budget
Director of Instruction Dr. Lisa Stevenson shared an updated version with the board. Discussion was held around the history of the budget.

Substantial Completion of Entrance Vestibules Security Upgrades at MHS, MLA, and Franklin, Woodbury and Hoglan Elementary Schools
Director of Buildings and Grounds Brett Purvis and Dave Schulze, architect with TSP, presented on these projects, where Hay Construction was the prime contractor.
“There’s a few little things we are going to fine tune,” Purvis said, but he was comfortable with the percentage complete at this time.
The board accepted the project as substantially complete.

Marshall County Hazard Mitigation Plan
Brett Purvis presented this plan. It is something the county is obligated to do and they have reached out to the schools for approval. The board approved participation in this plan.

Board Policies
602.12-R- Acceleration Regulation – A few minor changes – Approved as amended, waive second reading
907 – United States Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag – Wording adjustment on poilicy
The policy encourages the pledge to be said in all schools. Approved as amended, waived second reading. Click here to see the policy which was approved.
907.R-1 – Approved as amended, waived second reading
802.4 – Capital Asset Policy – Approved as amended, waived second reading

All policies below had an initial reading and will come back for a first reading.
905.1 – Use of School Facilities Rental Contract
905.1-E-1 – Use of School Facilities Application Form
905.1-E-2 – Use of School Facilities – Indemnity and Liability Insurance Agreement
103 – Long Range Needs Assessment
103.R1 – Long Range Needs Assessment – Regulation
204.9R1- Board Calendar

The next regular meeting of the board will be at 5 p.m. November 21 in district offices.

The board will hold a special meeting on November 15 from 5-6 p.m. to hear a presentation from the company Thought Exchange. The district is interested in partnering with this company to move forward with strategic planning.

From Board President Bea Niblock
“Maybe it was the fact that the board meeting was on a different day of the week, but the November 8^th board meeting was one of numerous recognitions and good news!
Veterans were recognized with the reading of the presidential proclamation by Director Ross Harris, an Army veteran himself; a few cast members from “Footloose” sang a number for the board; an update with sculpture mock-up was given on the MHS Roundhouse public art project; members from the Miller Middle School Student Council presented the very first Student/Staff Showcase; certified enrollment is up; and substantial completion of the entrance vestibule upgrades was presented.  Wow!  What an uplifting board meeting – one of the best in many that I have been to.
Hurray for the good things happening in this district and the focus that is now moving our district forward!” – Bea Niblock