Intervention time during school day paying off at MHS

Speaking on behalf of the Marshalltown High School program which allows for interventions and enrichment time during the school day to the board on April 16, were from left, MHS student Jordan May, instrumental music director Brett Umthun, Principal Jacque Wyant and student Jackie Moore.

Marshalltown High School presentation
Marshalltown High School Principal Jacque Wyant, instrumental music director Brett Umthun,  French teacher Naomi Musal and students Jordan May and Jackie Moore presented this report.
MHS is working on academic interventions at the high school and other enrichment time during a period known as ENR. This program allows for scheduling through Infinite Campus to link up students to available staff.
Wyant said the failures have decreased and the  A’s have increased over last year for students.

Recognitions

Miller Middle School students Taylor Jones (left) and Emma Kuhlers (right) presented their video to the board on Iowa high school girls basketball. The two have qualified for state in National History Day. Also present was Miller Extended Learning Program teacher Ann Jackson.

District Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte presented a check of $2,240 to the Advocates of Marshall County Rescue Personnel. The donation came from MCSD staff after a recent jeans day and will go to provide ballistic protective vests for first responders.

Pictured, from left, Dr. Theron Schutte, School Resource Office Rod Whitmore, Marshalltown Police Chief Mike Tupper, Thomas McCoy, Fire Chief David Rierson, Brian Krumm and Police Captain Chris Jones.

Dennis Meyer of Meyer Insurance and Andy Johnson of AAA Insurance presented a $500 prom/graduation season safety grant to MHS Associate Principal Justin Boliver.

Personnel
For personnel items approved by the board, click here.
Changes from these items: Change Joe Miller to resignation- strike number 15 and 16 (Laurie Buchwald and Jenni Rost)

Two additions to consent agenda
Grant request for Waterloo-Cedar Falls symphony field trip by Lenihan
Donation of $1,000 from Marshalltown Company for MHS robotics

9-12 World Language Curriculum
Dr. Lisa Stevenson and Pam Brewer-Michael presented this document.
Spanish and French are offered 9-12 at MHS. Coming to language department is Heritage Spanish for native speakers. The curriculum is going to more technology integration with more online materials for learning 24/7.  Requests were outlined for curriculum, which is expected to total $42,898.80
This was an information item only. Budget for approval will be at next meeting (May 7).

K-12 Health/Physical Education
Dr. Lisa Stevenson and Dee Burt presented this document. Feedback has been received from health and PE teachers.
Lists of supplies will be provided at next meeting along with the budget for approval.
The estimated cost is $51,871.47

Code to the Future “Coding Immersion” at Lenihan
Dr. Schutte presented this information on Code to the Future.  He mentioned the plethora of computing jobs open in the state and the need to get more students interested in computer science and coding.
Dr. Schutte, said MCSD can be one of the state leaders in terms of computer science instruction.
He plans to present for board approval at the May 7 meeting the proposal to make Lenihan a Code to the Future school, which would make it the first in state to do so. There is possible implementation at Miller as well.

Meal Prices for 2018-19
Food Service Director Lynn Large presented an update on the past year. The district served 1,1,03,849 meals for 2016-17 school year, For summer meals, a 12th site will be added this year, which is at MHS.
For 2018-19, meal prices will increase 5 cents, but there is a possibility that there will be no increase based on further guidance on a pricing tool from the U.S. Agriculture Department.
Again, there will be breakfast and lunch at no cost at the elementary level due to Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).

2018-19 Reduction in the state’s backfill
Dr. Schutte, Director of Business Operations Paulette Newbold and State Rep. Mark Smith talked about the proposal by Iowa Republicans to eliminate the state backfill, which was in place after property tax reform. Smith is opposed to the elimination of the backfill.
This was the exact fear the superintendents had across the state when the backfill was implemented, Schutte said.
Smith said negotiations still need to occur at the statehouse. The school board approved a resolution opposed to any reduction in the state backfill.

Roundhouse Phase 2
Director of Buildings and Grounds Chuck Springer and FEH architect Kevin Eipperle gave an update on the project.  Foundation walls are being poured and underground utility work is done.
“Now you are going to start seeing things come out of the ground,” Eipperle said.
Eipperle also explained some of the changes on the project, which relied on the project allowance.
Substantial completion date is still at November 23.

School Community Thought Exchange Results
Steve Kux from Thought Exchange presented these results from a recent survey on school facilities.
The largest themes as far as what the community appreciates the most are updated gyms and playgrounds. The largest theme on what needs to be improved was the Miller auditorium. This information will help with the long-range facilities plan, Dr. Schutte said.

Board book study Chapter 6- “Teaching with Poverty in Mind.”
The board finished its discussion on the book and correlated the information to the recent Manny Scott presentation.

Request Approval to Publish RFP for Chromebooks
Director of Technology Josh Wesley said MCSD is in need of 2,360 new Chromebooks, cases of 7th graders and licensing.
Wesley presented a tentative replacement cycle for the Chromebooks. The cost estimate is for this round of Chromebooks is $522,450.
The board approved Wesley to be able to publish a Request for Proposals.

Tentative Agreement Settlements 2018-2019 for Bus Drivers and Monitors, Nutrition Professionals, Paraprofessionals
Director of Human Resources Anthony Spurgetis and attorney Chris Wertzberger presented the following tentative agreement settlements.
Nutritional professionals – 1 year agreement- includes total package increase 3.01 percent, which costs the district $26,719 and is equal  to a 21-cent per hour increase. Approved by board.

Bus drivers and monitors – 1 year agreement- hourly rate for activity trips from $11.35 to $12 per hour – 1.75 percent total package increase, which is a  14 cents an hour increase for bus monitors (varies for drivers), $12,209 cost for monitors and the drivers. Approved by board.

Paraprofessionals- 1 year agreement included a 4.3 percent total package increase – costing $118,784, which is a  10 cent an hour increase. Approved by board.

Board Policies

Initial review
504.14- E2 -Harassment Witness Disclosure Form-  number change to 104-E2 – Marked as reviewed
504.14-E3-Harassment Disposition of Complaint Form- Number change to 104-E3 Marked as reviewed
504.30 – Students with Pediculosis – number change to 507.11- Marked as reviewed
504.31-Medication Administration to Students- number change to 507.2 – Marked as reviewed
504.31R- Administrating Medications to Students – Administrative Rules – number change to 507.2 R, also suggested changes from district nurse. To come back before board.
504.32 -Special Health Services for Students- number change to 507.8- Marked as reviewed.
504.32-R – Special Health Services for Students-Administrative Rules-  number change to 507.8-R-1 – Marked as reviewed.

The board then held a closed session to discuss strategy with counsel and an exempt session for negotiations.

The next regular meeting of the board will be at 5 p.m on May 7 in district offices.

From Board President Bea Niblock
“The quote that I shared at last night’s meeting was from R. Buckminster Fuller.  “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”  In other words, ‘be part of the solution’. To complain and disregard the current state of affairs will do nothing by itself. You must help to create the solution to a better existence.

Due to health issues this spring, I have been unable to make my annual lunch visit to each building to hear what staff think.  As the year is drawing to a close, it’s time to start that inward reflection. If something is not to your liking, how can you be a part of the ‘new model’ that you would choose to create?

I would welcome emails, telephone calls or conversations with any of you who would like to share the good news and those things needing improvement with me.  What can you help create to improve the learning environment for the students in our district?” – Bea Niblock