Fisher Elementary School Principal Mark Lee gave a school update to the school board on April 15. Also pictured is Fisher Instructional Coach Jennifer August.
For a video the meeting, click here.
Fisher Elementary School Showcase
Principal Mark Lee and Instructional Coach Jennifer August presented the update from Fisher Elementary School.
They talked about how Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) are helping at the school.
“We have teams that meet regularly and we’ve really seen an impact on student growth,” Lee said.
Other highlights presented at the meeting included: essential standards, data tracking, Really Great Reading, professional learning with a book study of “Learning by Doing,” other professional development, Social Emotional work and attendance.
Recognition
Marshalltown Schools Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte presents a check to Alicia Patten and other Relay for Life representatives.
Marshalltown Schools staff recently participated in a jean’s days as staff donated to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Marshall County. Staff raised $1,919 and a check in that amount was presented to Relay for Life organizers at the board meeting.
MHS speech report
From left, MHS student Phoebe Osgood, and MHS speech coaches Jocelyn Frohwein and Grant Gale.
Jocelyn Frohwein and Grant Gale gave an update on the drama department, speech department and Thespian Society. There has been a big growth in student participants, especially with speech
“The arts are very important to us,” Frohwein said.
MHS student Phoebe Osgood did some of her award-winning storytelling.
Personnel items
For personnel items approved by the board click here.
Public Comment
MEA retirement tea co-chair and Miller teacher Shea Hill invited the board to the tea which is at 4:30 p.m. on May 15 in Dejardin Hall.
Fisher Elementary School Showcase
Principal Mark Lee and Instructional Coach Jennifer August presented the update from Fisher Elementary School.
They talked about how Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) is helping at the school.
“We have teams that meet regularly and we’ve really seen an impact on student growth,” Lee said.
Other highlights presented at the meeting included: essential standards, data tracking, Really Great Reading, professional learning with a book study of “Learning by Doing,” other professional development, Social Emotional work and attendance.
4-H Presentation
Norma Dorado-Robles (above right), 4-H Youth Development Specialist for Marshalltown and MHS students Daisy Lopez (center) and Gabriela Mancillaz (left) talked about their successful 4-H experiences.
“My main focus is college and career readiness,” Dorado-Robles said.
Lopez went to Washington DC with a focus on photography. Mancillaz went to Washington DC with a focus on learning about health.
Art and healthy living are priority areas for 4-H teaching, Dorado-Robles said.
Dorado-Robles said they are seeking more adult volunteers to get involved in 4-H and also seeking to get more students involved.
Student School Board Representative Update
Jane Ragland and Jocelin Sharfnejda presented the MHS update including the Stock Market Challenge win from MHS, classroom activities, AP tests, Envirothon, State Solo and Small Ensemble Contest, Health Careers Club trip to Chicago and the University of Chicago, Junior Career Expo at MCC an author vist and more.
2019-20 Student Handbooks
Handbook changes were presented by principals for next year’s handbooks. The changes were up fro review at this meeting and will come back at the next meeting for approval. Here are the updated documents presented with changes highlighted.
Principals presented the following documents:
Elementary
Lenihan
Miller
MHS
MLA
Marshalltown Business Education Alliance
Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte, and Jacque Wyant, MHS Principal, presented this report. This information will be shared at the quarterly MBEA meeting on Tuesday
“It’s about trying to create pipeline for students to be prepared (for college) and/or the workforce…,” Schutte said
Core goals are college and career readiness.
Wyant presented many key figures they are tracking including enrollment numbers of the Project Lead the Way classes, graduation and drop out rates and other numbers.
Wyant said dual credit enrollment continues to grow.
“We are very fortunate to have teachers with master’s degrees in their content areas to be teaching those classes on our campus,” Wyant said
Board Vice President Janelle Carter commended the work of the MBEA and said we are fortunate to have this partnership in Marshalltown.
“It’s something really special for our district,” said Carter.
7-12 Grade Math Adoption and 9-12 Grade Social Studies Adoption Budget Request Review
Dr. Lisa Stevenson, Director of Instruction presented this item.
This was presented as information at the previous meeting. The social studies portion was approved and the math will be brought back for the May 6 meeting due to an expected increase in math enrollment at MHS.
RFP for Chromebooks for the 2019-2020 School Year
Josh Wesley, Director of Technology requested approval to publish a RFP for Chromebooks for the 2019-2020 school year for approximately 1605 Chromebooks, licensing, and 420 cases for 7th grade students. The Chromebooks would be for 10th, 7th and 1st grade students as well as teachers. This would put us at a 1:1 ratio for grades K-12.
Intel chip shortages has driven the price of chromebooks up approximately $70 each. Wesley talked about two different proposals to go out to bid.One proposal had a cost estimate is $571,900 with touch devices for teachers. Another table had a cost estimate of $526,960 for no touch devices for teachers. Wesley plans to bring back bid results to the board at a later meeting. The board approved the publishing of an RFP.
Board Policies
First reading
New Policy 206.3 Secretary-Treasurer – From IASB, no changes from last meeting. Approved as amended and waived second reading.
409.2 Licensed Employee Personal Illness Leave – Amended since last time on initial review, To come back before board.
414.4 Classified Employee Bereavement Leave-Funerals- Same as presented before- Approved as amended and waived second reading.
705.9 Death of a Student, Staff Member, or Board Director- minor change, Approved as amended and waived second reading
707.1 Secretary’s Monthly Report- Incorporated IASB language., Approved as amended and waived second reading.
707.2 Treasurer’s Monthly Report – Replaced with IASB language. Approved as amended and waived second reading.
Initial Review
707.3 Publication of Financial Records – Last sentence added- to come back for first reading
707.4 Audits – Last two sentences added- To come back for first reading
708.1 (new 708) Board of Directors Records – Changed number, marked as reviewed
New Policy 708-R1 Care, Maintenance and Disposal of School District Records – To come back before board (as replacement)
708.1-R Board of Director’s Records-Regulation – To delete- to come back
From Board Vice President Janelle Carter
“Tonight we opened our board meeting with the good news of a $1,919 jean’s day staff donation to Relay for Life. Also, the board and audience were gifted with a storytelling presentation by Phoebe Osgood. It is always nice to open a meeting with meaningful news and performances that remind us of the great things happening behind the scenes each day at MCSD.
The meeting tonight was full of presentations of positive things happening in the District. Fisher gave us some insight on school happenings, we heard from the 4-H Youth Development Specialist about some of their activities and travels, our school board representatives reported on activities at the high school (a wonderful addition to our meetings this past year) and Dr. Schutte and Ms. Wyant presented a preview of their report for Marshalltown Business Education Alliance and some of the data they will be sharing this week — more good news on all accounts. We also got a preview of Student Handbook updates and approved a new Social Studies curriculum and a Chromebook maintenance plan proposal request for the next school year. It is hard to believe another school year is nearly past and a new one is around the corner!
As I reflected on tonight’s meeting, I was pleased to see some of the progresses we have made as we start to plan for the next school year and continue the progress once again. I am humbled by the work done by the teachers, staff, liaisons and volunteers in this district. Thank you for your effort, it is working!
Enjoy the holiday weekend!”
- Janelle Carter
The Board Report 