Speaking to the school board on February 4 is Franklin Elementary School Principal Tim Holmgren. Also presenting from left, are teacher leaders Amy Phillips, Mallori Ghent, Amanda Goings, Ashley Moeller and Teri Hungerford.

Franklin’s buddies program helps build connections among students

Personnel
For personnel items approved by the board, click here. One late addition to this list is the retirement of Rollie Ackerman, activities director with MHS at the end of the school year.

The personnel items included five more early retirements including:
Jeff Hoogensen, 7th grade social studies teacher at Miller- 28 years with district
Michael Eggleston- PE teacher at Fisher Elementary School-19 years in the district
Deborah Friday – 2nd grade teacher at Hoglan Elementary School – 19 years with the district
Elda Reyes, ELL teacher at Franklin Elementary – been with district with 15 years.
Leah Mattox, 6th grade teacher at Lenihan-  been with district 28 years

Franklin Elementary School Presentation
Franklin Principal Tim Holmgren, along with teacher leaders Amy Phillips, Mallori Ghent, Teri Hungerford,  Ashley Moeller and Amanda Goings, presented.
This meeting they decided to highlight the buddies program at Franklin, where students are paired with mentors two grades above them or serve as mentors to students two grades below them.

“They have opportunities to problem solve with the their buddy, they can learn with their buddy.” Holmgren said.

Other skills learned are academics, social skills and relationship-building. Kindergartners are paired with third grade buddies and 1st graders are paired with fourth grade buddies.

“They are always excited to go to buddies (time),” said fourth grade teacher Ashley Moeller.

Second graders are not involved in the buddy program, but they go to the Iowa Veterans Home every year which is a great way to work on their social skills.

Dual Language Program Iowa Assessment Results
Jon McKenzie, Director of Assessment &  Comprehensive Improvement from Central Rivers AEA  completed a program evaluation for the dual language program in Marshalltown.
He presented along with Rachel Inks, ELL Coordinator and Lisa Stevenson, Director of Instruction.
He talked about the differences between the dual language students and non-dual language students in the district.
Overall, McKenzie found there are no significant differences across grade levels.
“When looking at the differences of reading, math and science scores on the Iowa Assessments across students in the Dual Language program and students not in the Dual Language school who are all ELL students there is no differences in scores across grades, even though scores in these subject areas increase dramatically for all groups of students from the early grades to higher grades in late middle school to high school,” McKenzie said.
The district continues to work to improve the dual language program, Stevenson said.
Board Member Mike Miller said the district should do more work to promote the dual language program to differentiate it from other area school districts.

Marshalltown High School Roundhouse Phase II Budget Update
Architect Kevin Eipperle of  FEH Design presented this budget summary.
He said it appears they are on track to be in line with the $100,580 contingency fund to pay for change orders.

Marshalltown High School Roundhouse Phase II Change Order
The board approved the change order as presented.

Student School Board Representative Update
Jocelin Sharfnejda, America Dominguez and Jane Ragland presented an update on MHS.
They talked about the district speech contest, science bowl, boys swimming district meet and upcoming school activities.

2019-2020 Marshalltown High School Course Guide
MHS Principal Jacque Wyant presented this course guide for the 2019-20 school year including several new courses.
The board approved the course guide.

“Leaders of Learning: How District, School, and Classroom Leaders Improve Student Achievement” Board Book Study
The board and administrators continued discussion on the book with a focus on Chapter 8.

Depository Resolution
Paulette Newbold, Director of Business Operations, presented this document, which this is something the board is asked to approve annually.
The board approved the resolution.

Application to the School Budget Review Committee
Matt Cretsinger, Director of Special Services, said this is part of a consortium that shares administrative costs of Grandwood. Marshalltown’s cost is $2,766.24. Grandwood works with students with significant intellectual disabilities and behavior needs.
The board approved the application.

Board Policies
204.10 (new number 213-R1) Community Participation in Board Meetings – What the policy has been, changed from a policy to a regulation.  To come back for first reading
New Policy 213 Public Participation in Board Meetings- Model IASB policy for public participation in board meeting- To come back for first reading at next meeting.

First reading
605.4 (new 505.5) Graduation Requirements -Not revised since last time before board, Adopted and waived second reading
704 2-New Policy – Debt Management Policy – Adopted and waived second reading
701.5 (new 704.2-R1) Post-Issuance Compliance Regulation for Tax-Exempt Obligations (new and old) – no changes since last meeting,Adopted and waived second reading
Delete 701.5
703.3-R Financial Planning Calendar Adopted and waived second reading

Initial review
204.11 General Complaints by Citizens- Delete policy next meeting
New Policy 213.1 Public Complaints – IASB language – To come back before board
402.5 Public Complaints About Employees – Delete policy next meeting
701.3-Financial Records- New policy – Recommended by IASB – To come back
703.4 Fiscal Management-Performance Measures and 703.4-E Fiscal Management-Performance Measures will be deferred to a later meeting-
703.5 (new 707.6) Finance Committee- new number and significant changes- To come back
704.1 Local-State-Federal-Miscellaneous Revenue- No changes except for references – Marked as reviewed

The next regular school board meeting will be held on Monday, February 18 at 5 p.m. in the district offices.

The board will hold a special meeting on the district insurance plan at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 6.

The first wrestling practice was held in the Allie Morrison Wrestling Room on February 4.

From Board President Bea Niblock
“Monday was the first day that wrestlers had practice in the new facilities of the Roundhouse.  Can you imagine the excitement that filled the room as wrestlers took to the mat? Setbacks from weather and supply delays made the use of the facility an even bigger reward.
The board received a budget update on the Roundhouse Phase II project from FEH Design at Monday’s meeting.  The latest change orders were discussed and approved. We are nearing completion of the project with the sincere hopes of finishing within the budget!
A new facility long overdue and within the budget!  What a success for this district!” – Bea Niblock