Hoglan Elementary School staff talked about how they are making students Bobcat Ready at the school board meeting held on February 18. Pictured from left are Abbe Hand, Sara Nichols, Amy Pollard, Amy Williams, Laura Eberly, Lacie Moore and Heather Stanley.

Hoglan helps students get Bobcat Ready

Hoglan Principal Amy Williams was joined by other Hoglan staff including, Laura Eberly, Abbe Hand, Sara Nichols, Amy Pollard, Heather Stanley and Lacie Moore for this presentation.

Bobcat Ready was one of the main themes in an update from Hoglan Elementary.

“What are we doing in elementary schools to make our students Bobcat Ready and to give them experiences?” Williams said.

Other topics from the Hoglan group included Garden Club which meets once a month, Cafe Hoglan, where parents come to read with their child, High School helpers which visit Hoglan regularly, fourth grade leaders, the Holiday Caring Project and ROARS (Respect, Open Hearted, Achiever, Responsible and Safe) assemblies.

Nicole Gaughan was honored at the meeting for attaining certification as a Behavior Analsyst.

Recognition
Nicole Gaughan, Behavior Strategist for the district, recently completed a master’s program through Drake University in Applied Behavior Analysis and then also successfully passed the international Board Certified Behavior Analyst or BCBA exam.  This is a prestigious accomplishment and one of the highest levels of education possible in the area of behavioral science. She is the only educator within our region of the state, and one of very few across Iowa, who has successfully obtained this endorsement.

PERSONNEL
Below are personnel items approved by the board

Retirements
Maralyn Schulze, Special Education Paraeducator Level II/III at Franklin Elementary; Effective June 11, 2019. Maralyn has 25 years of service to the district.
Darlene Gilliland, Food Preparation for Food Service at MHS; Effective March 29, 2019; has been with the district for 26 years.

Resignations
Stacy O’Hare, head girls basketball coach

Appointments
Scott Byers, Substitute Bus Driver for Transportation
New Position
Salary: Determined by Route
Start: February 13, 2019

Amelia Ramble, Bus Monitor for Transportation
New Position
Salary: $9.90/hr
Start: January 23, 2019

Scott Johannes, Head Boys Soccer Coach at MHS
Replacing Chris Fuchsen
Salary: $4,586/yr
Start: March 11, 2019

Landon Wood, ESL Teacher at MHS
New Position
Salary: MA/5
Start: March 1, 2019

Spencer Gritsch, Substitute Teacher
Salary: $115/day
Start: February 4, 2109

Mykal Wildman, ESL Teacher at MHS and Fisher
Replacing Abi Burkhead
Salary: BA/5
Start: TBD

Change of contract
Rebecca Neimann, Bus Driver for Transportation
Add on Pre K Route
Salary: $2,609.52 in addition to current contract
Start: January 24, 2019

Public Comment
Several teachers spoke during public comment asking the district to delay decision on the insurance plan changes citing the need for getting more information on premiums amounts and other information on changes.

Student School Board Representative Update
MHS senior and Student Board Representative Jane Ragland presented the MHS update to the board including sports updates on state wrestling and state bowling and basketball.

2018-2019 School Calendar & Weather Related Lost Instructional Hours Update
With 5 full days of school lost- plus 19 additional hours lost- due to heat or cold weather and snow, there is a need to make up 3 full days due to our student hours accrued, said Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte.
Dr. Schutte recommended the district add three student contact days at end of school year to move last student day to June 7.
To regain staff time lost, Dr. Schutte proposed extending the teacher contract by 15 minutes a day Monday through Thursdays in months or March, April and May.
The last teacher day, Monday, June 10.

2019-2020 Marshalltown High School Course Guide Additions
MHS Principal Jacque Wyant presented changes to the course guide including adding intro to criminal justice, and Senior Year Plus alternate assessment to show proficiency.
The board approved the additions.

Leaders of Learning: How District, School, and Classroom Leaders Improve Student Achievement” Board Book Study
The board and administrators continue with chapter 9 of the book study, which is the final chapter of the book.

Time Tracking Software Proposal
Paulette Newbold, Anthony Spurgetis, Randy Denham and Tammy Ellis, presented this proposal. This was a recommendation for a time clock solution for hourly employees, substitute teachers and additional payments.

The annual software cost proposed is $23,940 and there is a one time implementation and training fee of $11,000.  The recommendation is to pay for this with PPEL funding (allowable as non-instructional software). As a participating agency with US Communities purchasing cooperative the District can save about $1,000 per year by going through the existing procurement contract with Kronos.  The above cost includes an optional module for FMLA tracking.

Discussion was held on why this is needed. The goal is to have summer staff using it and then have it up and running full for hourly employees in the fall.
The board approved the purchase.

Health Insurance
Due to rising costs of healthcare, and plans that have been underpriced in the past, there is need to make some increases in the health insurance costs for all employees. Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte said equity between plans and equality among plan costs are two main goals the board has given the district.

“We need to ensure that these plans are solvent and sustainable financially,” Schutte said.

Several teaching staff and retired staff  spoke on health insurance, asking the board to delay a decision until more details are presented.  There was clarification given to the concerned staff that the board was merely approving further direction to get true numbers on the cost increases and not approving the cost increases Monday.

The board approved the authority for the consultant (Mark Becker and Associates) to move forward with pricing of plans.

Reopening Voluntary Retirement Program
The board approved to reopen the voluntary retirement incentive program effective February 19, 2019 to March 8, 2019 – due to rightsizing of the TLC budget and changes to the voluntary 4 year old preschool program

Board Policies
First reading
204.10 (new 213-R1) Community Participation in Board Meetings – To come back before board a next meeting.
204.11 General Complaints by Citizens- Deleted- already covered in another policy
New Policy 213 Public Participation in Board Meetings – IASB policy- Adopted and waived second reading – presented at last meeting
New Policy 213.1 Public Complaints- IASB policy- Adopted and waived second ready – presented at last meeting
402.5 Public Complaints About Employees- Deleted – covered in another policy
703.5 (new 707.6) Finance Committee – Approved as amended – no changes since last meeting- Waived second reading.
New Policy 701.3 Financial Records – Presented at last meeting- IASB recommends- Adopted and waive reading.

Initial review
312.3-E1 Fringe Benefits-Administrators/Supervisors – Change to reflect current practice- To come back
New Policy 400 Role of and Guiding Principles for Employees- To come back (IASB recommended)
New Policy 411.4 Classified Employee Licensing/Certification- To come back (IASB recommended
New Policy 508.1 Class or Student Group Gifts – To come back  (IASB recommended)
706.1 Payroll  Periods- No changes- marked as reviewed
706.2 Payroll Deductions- Adjusted to reflect current practice and match IASB langage- To come back before board
New Policy 712 Technology and Data Security – from IASB- To come back
New Regulation 712-R1 Security Requirements of Third-Party Vendors Regulation- from IASB- to come back

704.2 Sale of Bonds- Removed- not necessary – Deleted
704.4 Gifts, Grants, and Bequests- Changed to mirror IASB- To come back
704.4-R Gifts, Grants, and Bequests-Regulation- Removed – deleted.
704.5 Student Activities Fund- Changes to mirror IASB- To come back

Closed session
The board then went into a closed session for the quarterly evaluation of the superintendent.

The next regular meeting of the school board will be at 5 p.m. on March 4 in district offices.

From Board President Bea Niblock
“With health insurance being an agenda item at last night’s meeting, the board room was filled with employees wanting to express concerns and share personal stories in light of any changes that might be made.

‘In accordance with board policy, board members may not respond to your comments in order to comply with open meeting laws.’ That is stated before each meeting by the board president, but be assured that each board member listens intently and values the input of the public.

It is also good for audience members to remember that a school board meeting is a meeting held in the public. It is not a public meeting/forum. Spontaneous applause, whistling and verbal comments from the audience are not appropriate. The board has business to conduct.

The board values input from the community and takes each comment to heart. Board members are elected officials and want to hear what community members have to say in the proper setting with respect for all concerned.” – Bea Niblock