Marshalltown High School social studies teacher Brad Rahmiller spoke to the school board on August 20 about his time in the four-week summer institute at Washington DC as part of the James Madison Fellowship Program.

MHS social studies teacher highlights summer institute as part of James Madison Fellowship

Marshalltown High School social studies teacher Brad Rahmiller discussed a four-week institute he participated in this summer in Washington DC.

He spent the time with 50 social studies teachers from across the country studying the origins of the American Constitution and visiting many historical sites as part of his James Madison Fellowship.

“It was a really amazing experience,” Rahmiller said.

Personnel items approved by the board
RESIGNATIONS:
Mary Bazal, Special Education Paraeducator at Rogers Elementary; Effective August 7, 2018
Renae Devenney, 12 Month Secretary at Lenihan Intermediate School; Effective August 24, 2018

APPOINTMENTS:
Adam Edgington, Assistant Volleyball Coach at MHS
Replaces: Casey Moberly
Start: 18-19 Volleyball Season
Salary: $3,569

Khor Kong, Assistant Football Coach
Filling Vacant position for all of 2017 football season
Start: 18-19 Football Season
Salary: $4,104

Emilee Johnson, Special Education Paraeducator Level II/Level II at Hoglan Elementary
Replaces: Lori Egleston
Start: August 21, 2018
Salary: $10.36/hr

Jackie Bryant, Special Education Paraeducator Level II/Level III at Lenihan Intermediate SchoolNew Position
Start: August 21, 2018
Salary: $10.36/hr

Ruth Kliewer, 5th Grade Math & Science Teacher at Lenihan Intermediate School
Replaces: Eliana Garcia
Start: August 20, 2018
Salary: BA/5

Jeanette Heil, Special Education Para Level II/Level III at Lenihan Intermediate School
New Position
Start: August 21, 2018
Salary: $10.36/hr

Morgan Benthin, 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher at Miller Middle School
Replaces: Chad Spear
Start: August 20, 2018
Salary: BA/5

Brisel Davalos, Special Education Paraeducator Level II/Level III at Lenihan Intermediate School
New Position
Start: August 21, 2018
Salary: $10.36/hr

Elizabeth Chavez, 12 Month Secretary at Anson Elementary School
Replaces: Stephanie Cutright
Start: August 21, 2018
Salary: $14.00/hr

Kelly Sebastian, Special Education Paraeducator Level II at Fisher Elementary School
Replaces: Sam Horn
Start: August 21, 2018
Salary: $10.36/hr

Kayla Edwards, Food Service General Worker at Miller Middle School
Replaces: Candace Buckley
Start: August 21, 2018
Salary: $11.67/hr (Grade 2, Step 1, 6 hours per day)

Amanda Zubrod-Torres, Food Service General Worker at Miller Middle School
Replaces: Jessica Starn
Start: August 21, 2018
Salary: $11.67/hr (Grade 2, Step 1, 6 hours per day)

CHANGE OF CONTRACT:
Elizabeth Montepeque, Bilingual Assistant Paraeducator at Woodbury Elementary
From: General Education Paraeducator at Woodbury Elementary
Replace: Lorena Valdez
Start: August 21, 2018

Nicole Moore, Preschool Para Educator at Woodbury Elementary
From: K-4 Special Education Level II at Woodbury
Replaces: Nancy Minjares
Start: August 21,2018

Lori Ferneau, General Education Paraeducator at Rogers
From: Special Education Paraeducator Level I at Rogers
Replaces: Anne Soetenga
Start: August 21, 2018

Stephanie Kunch, Special Education Paraeducator Level II at Hoglan
From: Special Education Paraeducator Level II at Franklin
Start: August 21, 2018

Scott Randall, Head Custodian at MHS
From: Custodian at Rogers & MLA
Replaces: Eldon Stanley
Start: July 31, 2018

Adriana Ramirez-Avalos, Bilingual Language Assistant at Franklin
From: Special Education Paraeducator Level II at Franklin
Replaces: Patty Magana
Start: August 21, 2018

The Following are PLC Leads for the 2018-2019 School Year:

Jonathan Landhauser, 8th Grade Social Studies at Miller
Allison Burchland, 7th Grade Math at Miller
Start: August 20, 2018
Salary: $1,200

Lisa Crouch, 12 Month Secretary at Lenihan
From: 10 Month Secretary at Lenihan Intermediate School
Replaces: Renae Devenney
Start: August 24, 2018
Salary: $24,508.80 (222 days; hourly rate $13.80.)

Lauren Bottom, Special Ed Pareducator Level II/III (7 hours per day) at Lenihan
From: Special Ed Paraeducator Level II (6.5 hours per day) at Lenihan
New Position
Start: August 21, 2018

Superintendent and Board Goals
The board approved these superintendent and board goals.

Franklin Elementary School roof replacement
Director of Buildings and Grounds Chuck Springer talked about this Franklin Elementary roof project. The board approved the bid from Central States Roofing for $63,800. The work is expected to be done this fall.
“This can be done during school, so it’s not an issue,” Springer said.
This is the northwest quadrant of the roof, not the portion damaged in the storm.

The permanent roof replacement on the north end which was damaged due to the July 19 tornado has been completed as of this past weekend. That repair was covered by insurance.

Power outage at MHS athletic complex
Springer explained the current power outage at MHS athletic complex and the remedies in place. Plans are to replace the power lines underground. The board approved a waiver of liability with Alliant Energy as part of this work.
“They just want a waiver of liability which is very common,” Springer said.

Board Policies

First Reading
204.4 – Annual Meeting-  No changes since last meeting- Approved as amended and waived second reading
600 – Statement of Guiding Principles- Approved as amended
600.1 -Nondiscrimination- Approved as amended
601.2 (new number) School Day- Approved as amended waived second reading
601.1 (new number)- School Calendar- change start date to August 23 to no sooner than permitted by state law. To come back before board

Initial Review
602.1 – Elementary Curriculum -Deleted
602.2 – Middle School Curriculum- deleted
602.3  – Senior High School Curriculum -deleted
602.5- New number 602.3- Special Education- A number of changes to come back before board
602.6 – Adult Education- Deleted
602.7- Safety Education-Deleted
New number 603.1 Basic Instruction Program- to combine previous policies- To come back before board
505.4- Testing program -IASB policy to add – To come back before board
804.7- Cardiac Emergency Response Plan -Minor changes on policy – To come back before board

Next meeting
The next regular meeting of the board will be at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, September 4 in district offices (1002 S. 3rd. Ave.).

From Board President Bea Niblock
“It’s back to school time for everyone.  And it’s no different for the Board of Education.  At last night’s meeting the board approved its goals for the coming academic year.

The goals include a focus on student achievement for all students, preparation for negotiations based on the new state laws for collective bargaining and ensuring the fiscal integrity of the district.

The focus on student achievement is our priority goal.  The board will focus on defining academic standards and overseeing the development of solutions for low performance.  Student data will be shared regularly with the board as benchmarks are achieved and achievement increased.

Focus on these 3 goals will drive the deliberation of the board at meetings and work sessions throughout the year.” – Bea Niblock