Anson Elementary School Principal Ronnie Manis presents to the school board on November 19 along with Anson Counselor Ashley Chyma, center,  and Extended Learning Program teacher Nicole Holman Lankelma.

Anson Elementary School Presentation
Principal Ronnie Manis, Counselor Ashley Chyma and Extended Learning Teacher Nicole Holman Lankelma presented this report, which focused on attendance, behavior and STEM activities.
Manis said they have tried several new tactics this year to increase student attendance and so far it’s working. Daily attendance is at 97 percent, which is up a few percentage points from last year. They went to morning meetings and put breakfast back in the classroom. They also have flags for classrooms to hang if they have 100 percent attendance that day.
“The kids love these flags,” Manis said. “When you motivate the kids to be at school it makes a huge difference.”
Chyma talked about the peace room which is a calming room where a student can feel safe and a way to calm down.
Lankelma talked about a makerspace cart with many creative projects, many of which are STEM related.
“It’s available for all students at Anson, not just the XLP kids,” Holman Lankelma said.

Recognitions

Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte thanks District Registrar Stacey Mommer for her work on the certified enrollment which resulted in the district being named on The Gold Star List.

Marshalltown Community School District Registrar, Stacey Mommer, and Assistant to the Director of Instruction, Maeia Milot (not in attendance), were recognized for their work on certified enrollment. The District was placed on the The Gold Star List, receiving special recognition from the Student Reporting in Iowa (SRI) team from the Iowa Department of Education.

Better Boardsmanship Award
The school board was recognized for its collective Better Boardsmanship Awards from the Iowa Association of School Boards at the recent convention. Also individual board members who received awards for their continued professional development included Ross Harris, Sean Heitmann, Janelle Carter and Bea Niblock. Click here for more information on the board recognition.

Personnel items approved by the board below
RESIGNATIONS:
Sage Ballalatak, General Education Paraeducator at Anson Elementary; Effective November 19, 2018
Yadira Yepez, Special Education Paraeducator Level III at Lenihan Intermediate; Effective December 20, 2018
Daniel Juhl, Bus Driver for Transportation , Effective November 10, 2018
Jennifer Hager, Food Service Bookkeeper at Central Office, Effective November 16, 2018
Kamar Essex, Special Education Paraeducator Level II at Anson Elementary; Effective November 8, 2018
Linda Mills, General Food Service Worker at Miller Middle School, Effective November 30, 2018

TERMINATIONS:
Anthony Moore, Bus Driver for Transportation , Effective November 7, 2018

APPOINTMENTS:
Carlos Torres, Bus Monitor for Transportation
New Position
Salary: $9.90/hr
Start: October 30, 2018

Rebecca Neiman, Bus Monitor for Transportation
New Position
Salary: $9.90/hr
Start: October 29, 2018

Stan Randall, Substitute Bus Driver for Transportation
New Position
Salary: Determined by Route
Start: October 30, 2018

Katie Houser, Intramural Assistant at Lenihan Intermediate
Salary: $500/season (This is for 2nd quarter season)
Start: October 6, 2018

Christian Carrazco, Intramural Assistant at Lenihan Intermediate
Salary: $500/season (This is for 2nd quarter season)
Start: October 6, 2018

Joan Furjanic, Intramural Assistant at Lenihan Intermediate
Salary: $500/season (This is for 2nd quarter season)
Start: October 6, 2018

Kim Gaskill, Intramural Assistant at Lenihan Intermediate
Replaces: Brandon Goldman
Salary: $500/season (This is for 2nd quarter season)
Start: October 6, 2018

Katherine Gable, Assistant Girls Soccer Coach at MHS
Replaces: Leigh Hornbuckle
Salary: $3,569 for 2018-2019 season
Start: March 18, 2019

Maria Avalos Parra, 10 Mo. Secretary: Bilingual Attendance at MHS
Replaces: Lilana Perez
Salary: $11.90/hr
Start: October 16, 2018

Gillian Beebe, Special Education Paraeducator Level II/III at MHS
New Position
Salary: $10.36/hr
Start: November 1, 2018

Stacy Betts, Special Education Paraeducator Level II at Lenihan
New Position
Salary: $10.36/hr
Start: November 27, 2018

CHANGE OF CONTRACT:
Morgan Hager, Food Service General Worker at Miller
Change of Location and Salary
From: Franklin Elementary: $11.67/hr (Step 2, Grade 1)
To: Miller Middle School: $11.46/hr (Step 1, Grade 1)

Start: October 29, 2018
Mary Ann Wallace, Food Service General Worker at Lenihan Intermediate
From: General Worker at Miller Middle School
Salary: $12.15/hr (Step 1, Grade 3)
Start: October 29, 2018

Susan Fecht, Food Service General Worker at Miller Middle School
From: Food Service Substitute Worker
Salary: $11.46/hr (Step 1, Grade 1)
Start: October 29, 2018

Jeff Davis, Evening Custodian at Anson Elementary
From: Evening Custodian at MHS
Replaces: Heather West
Salary: $17.78
Start: October 15, 2018

Lee Krukow, Grade 5 Engineer at MHS
From: Food Service Driver with Food Service
Replaces: Gary Nymeyer
Salary: $17.38/hr
Start: November 12, 2018

Public comment
Teachers Matthew Nevins and Rachel Nelson-Loupee spoke in favor of continuing the early retirement incentive.

Student School Board Representative Update
MHS senior Jane Ragland talked about the  all-state music festival held last Saturday and the monthly Friday night dances at MHS.

2018-2019 Miller Middle School Student Handbook Amendment
The Miller handbook was not updated when others were updates made to head lice to other handbooks in district. This item updated that handbook.

2019-2020 School Year Calendar
A tentative 2019-20 school calendar was presented to the board. It mirrors the current calendar year in many ways. It has also been brought before the administrative team and calendar committee for feedback.
The tentative calendar will next be sent to parents and staff for feedback before being brought back to the board for approval in December.

“Leaders of Learning: How District, School, and Classroom Leaders Improve Student Achievement” Board Book Study
The board and administrators continues with the discussion of Chapter 5 – Developing a Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum.

The board approved the following two items

Application to the School Budget Review Committee for 2018 Modified Supplemental Authority for Increasing Enrollment, Open Enrollment Out and Limited English Proficiency Instruction Beyond Five Years

Approve SBRC Application for Increasing Enrollment, Open Enrollment Out, and LEP Instruction Beyond Five Years as presented. The recommendation is to apply for the authority for LEP instruction beyond 5 years in the amount of $1,154,626 and open enrollment out not on the fall 2017 count in the amount of $625,083.20 for a total request of $1,779,709.20.

Board approves voluntary early retirement program for end of 2018-19 school year
This program offers health insurance to those eligible for early retirement for 96 months or to the age of 65  who take early retirement.
Dr. Schutte presented additional information to the board as requested.
Employees are eligible by serving the district for 15 or more years and meeting rule of 88. The board held a lengthy discussion on the agenda item before approving the incentive for this spring.

Board Policies
407.6 Licensed Teacher Staff Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive Program – First reading- Changing deadline date to after certified enrollment is made public. Approved as amended waived second reading
413.7 Twelve-Month Secretary Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive Program – Changing deadline date. Approved as amended waived second reading
New Policy 505.8 Parent and Family Engagement – Brought before board at last meeting,- Adopted and waived second reading
New Policy 604.6 Instruction At A Post-Secondary Education Institution –  Adopted and waived second reading
New Policy 604.6-R1 Instruction At A Post-Secondary Educational Institution Regulation- Adopted and waived second reading
604.1 (new 607.1) Student Guidance and Counseling Program- New number- adopted and waived second reading
312.3-E1 Fringe Benefits-Administrators/Supervisors – Change to use previous years accumulate vacation through July of next year- To come back before board
New Policy 903.1 School-Community Groups – Finance committee to look into wording of policy – To come back before board
New Policy 904.1 Transporting Students in Private Vehicles – To come back
604.2 Health Services  – New number to 607.2 to align with IASB, minor changes- Marked as reviewed
604.1 (new number- Private Instruction (old and new (604.1) – Delete 604.6 that was delete old policy  – New policy to come back before board
604.7 Dual Enrollment – very similar to IASB policy minor word changes- Marked as reviewed.
604.8 Foreign Students – Marked as reviewed
604.8 Home School Assistance Program- Delete policy -not needed

Annual Organizational meeting

Bea Niblock, right, was re-elected by the board to serve as Board President for the next year.
Janelle Carter, left, was re-elected by the board to serve as Board Vice President for the next year.

The next regular meeting of the school board will be at 5 p.m. on December 3 in district offices.

From Board President Bea Niblock
“Monday’s board meeting found the board holding its annual organizational meeting due to changes in state law. This meeting used to be held in September. Board leadership was elected during this meeting.

Janelle Carter was elected vice president for the coming year. I have worked with Janelle for 3 years and am delighted to continue working with her. Janelle is an educator for fellow board members helping them understand issues and works tirelessly to move the district forward. Without Janelle’s leadership, the board would not work as seamlessly as it does.

And, I was elected president. I am honored that my fellow board members have confidence in my leadership skills and ability to drive our own learning to better understand the things that make our district great.

Janelle and I are both excited to provide leadership to the board and to encourage the growth of the district day after day.” – Bea Niblock

Rogers Elementary teachers embrace leadership roles

Rogers Elementary School Principal Dr. Mick Jurgensen talks to the school board during a school presentation on November 5. Also pictured from left are Rogers staff Sabrina Russell, Jodi Kolbe, Ashley Verdinez Ramirez and Erin Faas.

Rogers Elementary Presentation
Rogers Principal Dr. Mick Jurgensen presented along with Rogers staff Ashley Verdinez Ramirez, Jodi Kolbe, Erin Faas and Sabrina Russell.
Jurgensen said many teachers are involved in leadership roles at the school.
“Our teachers are involved, usually in multiple things,” Jurgensen said.
The group talked about how they utilize leadership roles in the school and other items including supporting instruction and learning through the use of technology, accepting instruction from the instructional coach, classroom observations and more.

Recognitions
Board Member Sean Heitmann read the presidential proclamation on National Veterans and Military Families Month. Click here to see the list of veterans employed in Marshalltown Schools. Thank you veterans!

Personnel
The personnel items approved by the board are below.

RESIGNATIONS:
Kayla Mobley, Special Education Paraeducator Level II/III at MHS; Effective October 19, 2018
Lacey Anderson, Food Service Worker at Miller Middle School; Effective October 31, 2018
Kim Turner, Food Service Worker at Franklin Elementary; Effectiver October 23, 2018
Shonna Garth, Speech Coach Assistant at MHS, Effective October 15, 2018

TERMINATIONS:
Heather West, Full time Custodian with Buildings & Grounds; Effective October 4, 2018

APPOINTMENTS:
Don Wilder, Head Boys Bowling Coach at MHS
Replaces: Roger Taylor
Salary: $3569
Start: November 5, 1018

Don Wilder, Head Girls Bowling Coach at MHS
Replaces: Stacey Galema
Salary: $3569
Start: November 5, 1018

Alley Edwards, Special Education Paraeducator Level II/III at MHS
New Position
Salary: $10.36/hr
Start: TBD

Denise Tarrence, Special Education Paraeducator Level II/III at Lenihan Intermediate
Replaces: Jeanette Heil
Salary: $10.36/hr
Start: TBD

Sarai Ruiz, Special Education Paraeducator Level II/III at Lenihan Intermediate
New Position
Salary: $10.36/hr
Start: October 30, 2018

Leigh Hornbuckle, Head Girls Soccer Coach at MHS
Replaces: Stacey Galema
Salary: $4,586
Start: March 18th, 2018

Shelby Zahand, Special Education Paraeducator Level III at Hoglan Elementary
Replaces: Tiffany Fouts
Salary: $10.36/hr
Start: October 17, 2018

Jennifer Renderos, Special Education Paraeducator Level II at Fisher Elementary
New Position
Salary: 10.36/hr
Start: October 23, 2018

CHANGE OF CONTRACT:
Sage Ballalatak, General Education Paraeducator at Anson
Change of Contract Hours
From: 6.5 hrs/day
To: 7.0 hrs/day

Student School Board Representative Update
Student Board Representatives America Dominguez, Jane Ragland and Jocelin Sharfnejda provided their regular update to the board, with updates on athletics and activities at MHS.

Certified Enrollment Count and Open Enrollment Count
Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte presented these updated enrollment numbers.
Current certified enrollment is at 5,366, down 92.78 students.
“We are going to continue to drill down,” Schutte said of the enrollment numbers.
This drop was after two straight years of enrollment increases in the district.

Bobcat University Summer 2018 Summary
Director of Instruction Dr. Lisa Stevenson and Clarissa Thompson of Mid-Iowa Community Action gave a summary of Bobcat University. The summer learning program had 237 elementary students attend.
Reading and math achievement data was positive for those who attended Bobcat University, Dr. Stevenson said.
“I am pleased with the results we had,” Dr. Stevenson said.

Leaders of Learning book study
The board and administrators continued with the book study, this time with Chapter 4.

Consideration of Voluntary Early Retirement Program
Dr. Schutte said this is the time of the year that the board decides if it wishes to offer the voluntary early retirement incentive for the coming year.
His recommendation for this year is for the board to approve offering the Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive program, which provides insurance to those retirees after retirement.
Board members expressed interest in seeing numbers of how much money it will save and the need for “hard data” on eligible retirees and how much the program costs.
The district will provide information at the next meeting to help the board with the decision.
The item was tabled until the requested financial data is received.

Bids for the Purchase of Buildings and Grounds Equipment
Director of Buildings and Grounds Chuck Springer recommended the board approve the Van-Wall Equipment Inc. bid in the amount $34,998 for a new utility tractor.
The utility tractor will replace an aging and high-mileage truck and will be used for moving snow, playground mulch, dirt work, work at the athletic complex and other general uses.
The board approved the bid.

Board Policies
603.3 (new 606.5) Student Field Trips and Excursions – Minor changes from last meeting. Approved as amended, waived second reading

First Reading
407.6 Licensed Teacher Staff Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive Program – Changed date, To Come back
413.7 Twelve-Month Secretary Voluntary Early Retirement Incentive Program – To come back
603.4 (new 603.12) Homework – No changes since last meeting, Approved and waived second reading
603.5 Textbook Resource Selection- Deleted
603.6 (new 605.1) Instructional Materials Selection (new and old) -Approve new policy waive second reading
603.6-E (new 605.3-E2) Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials (new and old)- Approve new policy, delete old waive second reading
603.8-R(new 603.9-R1) Academic Freedom Regulation = Approved and waived second reading
New Policy 605.1-R1 Selection of Instructional Materials – Approve and waive second reading
New Policy 605.2 Instructional Materials Inspection – Adopt and waive second reading
New Policy 605.3 Objection to Instructional Materials- Adopt and waive second reading
New Policy 605.3-E1 Instructions to the Reconsideration Committee- Adopt and waive second reading
704.3 Investments No changes since last meeting, Approved and waived second reading
705.1 Purchasing-Bidding – No changes since last meeting, Approved and waived second reading
710.2 Free or Reduced Price Meals- No changes since last meeting, Approved and waived second reading
710.4 Meal Charges -No changes since last meeting, Approved and waived second reading

Initial Reading
New Policy 505.8 Parent and Family Engagement – Recent recommendation for Department of Education- To come back before board
New Policy 604.6 Instruction at a Post-Secondary Educational Institution – IASB policy to come back
New Policy 604.6-R1 Instruction at a Post-Secondary Education Institution Regulation – To come back
603.11 (new 604.5) Religion Based Exclusion From School Program – Marked as reviewed
603.12 (new 605.6) Internet-Appropriate and Safe Use- Marked as reviewed
603.12-R (new 605.6-R1) Internet-Appropriate and Safe Use Regulation- Marked as reviewed
604.1 (new 607.1) Student Guidance and Counseling Program – minor word change- marked as reviewed
604.1-R (new 607.1-R1) Student Guidance and Counseling Program – Marked as reviewed.

Special finance meeting
A special work session finance meeting was held on November 1. Click here to view a video of that meeting.

The next board meeting is November 19 at 5 p.m.

From Board President Bea Niblock
“As the district continues to struggle with student achievement, the board received some encouraging news last night.

Bobcat University (the district’s elementary summer supplemental program) showed growth in the fall test scores of students who attended BU. Students attending the program showed greater growth in both reading and math than those who did not attend. That is welcomed news as the district strives to lessen summer learning loss.

Many things were learned about how to enrich this opportunity and organizers are working to diminish problems noted. Bobcat University proved to be a learning experience for students and adults alike.” – Bea Niblock