The Board Report

IJAG Specialists Katie Allison, left, and Austin Hauser gave an update on the program to the school board at the May 20 meeting.

iJAG program making a difference in first year
Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) Specialists Katie Allison (MHS 11-12th grade) and Austin Hauser (Miller – 7th-8th) gave this presentation on the iJAG program. This program is for students who may be facing barriers but also show great potential.
“We are excited to be wrapping up our first year,” Allison said.
IJAG teaches leadership skills, soft skills, employability skills, service learning and more.
“The program is very beneficial,” Hauser said.
The goal is to prepare students to be active participants in the workforce.  The board approved adding a 9-10 grade coordinator for MHS for next school year as part of a Memorandum of Understanding.

Recognition

Marshalltown High School seniors Emily Miller (left) and Phoebe Osgood presented their national-qualifying senior performance on Emily Dickinson in National History Day. The two will travel the Maryland in June for nationals.

Personnel
For personnel items approved by the school board, click here.

Public Comment
Several teachers spoke out against removing permissive items from the teacher contract.

Out-of-State Travel Request
The board a approved the out-of-state trip for the National History Day national qualifiers, as requested by MHS XLP teacher Susan Fritzell.

Student School Board Representatives
Student School Board Representatives America Dominguez, Jane Ragland and Jocelin Sharfnejda from MHS gave their final update presentation of their one-year term. The three will graduate from MHS on June 2.

Guidance Curriculum Adoption
Matt Cretsinger, Director of Special Services and Dee Burt, College and Career Readiness CPDL presented this item.
Between every 5-7 years professional school counselors have to go through a guidance curriculum adoption. At the next board meeting, bids will be brought to the board for $50,000 paid for out of at-risk budget.

Iowa Youth Survey Update
Matt Cretsinger, Director of Special Services presented this update. The survey happens every 2 years given to all 6, 8 and 11th grades (Students can decline)
It was administered in November of 2018.
Cretsinger compared our answer percentages to those districts of similar size. Students self report their perceptions, their beliefs and their feelings.
Next time he will talk about social emotional learning support continued plans for the district.

Classroom Computer and Projector Replacement Cycle
Joshua Wesley, Director of Technology, presented this cycle.
Wesley said we are “trying to create a regular replacement cycle similar to what we have going on with the Chromebooks” to provide reliable technology for teachers. The goal is to spend in the $200,000 range each year.
The board approved to go ahead for technology to publish and RFP for 228 Epson projectors and 280 ceiling mounts for the first year in this replacement cycle.

Copier Bid Tally Results
Joshua Wesley, Director of Technology, presented the bid tally.
The current lease expires July 1, 2019. Discussion was held regarding this item.
The board approved awarding Advanced Systems the copier bid for 3 year copier lease and software agreement in the approximate total of $292,478.76 as presented.

K-4th Grade Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Into Reading and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Arriba la Lectura Presentation
Woodbury Principal Anel Garza, ELL Coordinator Rachel Inks and Woodbury Instructional Coach Julie Thede presented this curriculum recommendation for Woodbury Elementary, after meetings of the literacy advisory committee.
“This will be the first Spanish curriculum we’ve purchased in over 17 years,” Garza said.
The kindergarten through fourth grade Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Into Reading and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Arriba la Lectura is in the amount of $100,298.75, with $23,415.00 from ELL budget and $76,883.75 from curriculum budget.
This was a discussion item only as it will be up for possible board approval at the June 3 meeting.

K-4 CKLA Language Studio
Dr. Lisa Stevenson, Director of Instruction, presented this as a follow up to the presentation at the last meeting. This is for literacy materials in English for K-4 (minus Woodbury).
The board approved the purchase of CKLA Language Studio in the amount of $92,942.25 accompanying ELL materials to support all K-4 English Learners (except Woodbury K-4) as presented.

K-5 CKLA ELA and 6th Amplify ELA Literacy Materials
Dr. Lisa Stevenson, Director of Instruction, This information was presented at the previous meeting, for K-5 literacy and 6th grade.
The board approved the purchase of K-5 CKLA ELA in the amount of $281,313 and 6th Amplify ELA in the amount of $35,700.80.

2019-2020 Preschool Handbook
This was shared with the board at the last meeting with the changes. The board approved the handbook as presented.

2019-2020- Property/Casualty and WC Renewal
Local agent Mark Rohde and representatives from the Iowa Public School Insurance Program presented at the meeting. IPSIP uses group purchasing power as it has dozens of other districts in the state on the plan.
The insurance market is tightening with flooding, hail and tornadoes becoming more prevalent in Iowa. Due to increases in losses, the premium cost to Marshalltown Schools is going up.
The new rate for 2019-20 is $862,597, up from $679.204 for the current year.
It was noted that 75 percent of claims were bus incidents in 2017-18.  More training is expected in hopes to cut that number of claims.
This is the renewal of the third year of a 3-year contract which was approved by the board.

2018-2019 Budget Amendment
Paulette Newbold, Director of Business Operations, presented this item to increase the expenditures of the support services area of the budget from from $18.4 million to $21.2 million. This is not an increase in overall budget of expenditures, but rather some coding changes.
The board approved the budget amendment. A public hearing on this budget amendment was held earlier in the meeting

Board Policies
First Reading
708.5 Inventory – Deleted by board, waived second reading

Initial Review
710.5 Financial Support-Food Service – To be deleted at next meeting.
711.1 Student School Transportation Eligibility – Marked as reviewed
711.1-R(new 711.1-R1) Student Eligibility for Bus Service- Minor change at end of regulation which is not current practice.

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

From Board President Bea Niblock
“Matt Cretsinger presented the board with an update on the results of the Iowa Youth Survey given to our 6^th, 8^th and 11^th grade students. Even though the results of Marshalltown youth were, oftentimes, similar to other schools our size, it is troubling to think that any of our students do not feel safe at school or home and have thought about suicide. We certainly have issues in our district that need to be addressed.
And Matt Cretsinger and Dee Burt shared information about a new guidance program being proposed. The guidance curriculum, Positive Action, provides lessons that encourage student interaction. Lessons provide instruction on social skills, managing emotions, building positive relationships with others and mental health. Sounds like a good choice for our students.” – Bea Niblock

For a video of the entire meeting, click here.

Lenihan Intermediate School provided an update to the school board on May 6. Pictured from left are Jenny Allen, Diane Simpson and Kim Gaskill.

Lenihan Intermediate School Showcase
Principal Kyle Young, and other Lenihan staff including Jenny Allen, Kim Gaskill, Diane Simpson,Alex Klyn, Elaine Johnson and Julie Hammond presented an update from the school.
The presentation focused on three different programs at the school including the STEMScopes program, career research unit for 5th grade and partnerships with community agencies to support the social-emotional learning needs of our students.
“We having amazing partners that come weekly to work with our students and families,” Johnson said.

Recognitions

Cyber Defense team
MHS students Keaten Collinson, Marek Jablonski and Wesley Kodis were recognized for placing first in cyber defense at the recent IT-Olympics held at Iowa State University.

A cake was served in honor of School Board Recognition Month

School Board Recognition Month
Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte took a moment to thank the school board members for their dedication to the district. He said board members not only participate in the public board meetings but also attend various committee meetings and have duties. Dr. Schutte also mentioned that it is Teacher Appreciation Week and that cookies will be delivered to the schools in recognition of the week.

Student School Board Representatives
Student School Board Representatives (above, from left) America Dominguez, Jane Ragland and Jocelin Sharfnejda were recognized for their service during the school year. Later in the meeting, the three students presented their regular update to the board.

Personnel items
For personnel items approved by the board, click here.

Public Comment
Several teachers spoke on the removal of permissible items in the contract.

Lenihan Intermediate School Showcase
Principal Kyle Young, and other Lenihan staff including Jenny Allen, Kim Gaskill, Diane Simpson, Alex Klyn, Elaine Johnson and Julie Hammond presented an update from the school.
The presentation focused on three different programs at the school including the STEMScopes program, career research unit for 5th grade and partnerships with community agencies to support the social-emotional learning needs of our students.
“We having amazing partners that come weekly to work with our students and families,” Johnson said.

MHS Course Guide Changes  
Jacque Wyant, MHS Principal, presented an amendment to the course guide to allow the pathway for a Child Development Associate Career Academy. These courses are offered through MCC.

Bobcat Ready! Presentation
Mrs. Wyant gave this presentation. She said they have been working at the high school to recognize students to be college and career ready, or what is known as Bobcat Ready.
There are 112 seniors who are considered to be Bobcat Ready. MHS will be recognizing them at our seniors awards assembly.

K-6th Literacy Curriculum
Dr. Lisa Stevenson, Director of Instruction, Erica Finders, CPDL, and teachers Alex Klyn and Lindsay Stanton presented this recommendation for a new literacy curriculum for grades K-6., which is Amplify.
“We are really excited about this,” Finders said.
The curriculum was formed via a process by the literacy advisory committee which included 15 teachers. There is a K-5 program and grade 6 program.
Cost to the district is estimated at $15 per student per year which equates to $288,429 (for K-5), and $35,700 (For 6th grade). Total for approval will be $324,129.92, for all schools except Woodbury due to the dual language program ($92,942 English learners program coming from ELL budget). Discussion was held in response to board questions on this curriculum. This was an information item only at this meeting. It will be brought back before the board at the May 20 meeting for possible approval.

7-12 Grade Math Materials Purchase Increase
Dr. Lisa Stevenson, Director of Instruction, presented this for approval. Since enrollment has increased in math at MHS from what was projected earlier this year there was a need to increase materials for purchase by $15,182.18. The board approved the increase.

2019-2020 Preschool Student Handbook
Dr. Stevenson and Preschool Director Emily Banks presented changes for the preschool handbook. This will be up for approval at the May 20 board meeting.

2019-2020 Student Handbooks
Rex Kozak spoke about the transportation handbook changes. The other school level handbooks for elementary, Lenihan, Miler, MHS and MLA were presented at the last meeting and approved at this meeting after discussion was held, especially on the Miller handbook.

KaBOOM! Woodbury Elementary Playground Community Build Grant Application
Dr. Schutte talked about this grant application for a community built playground at Woodbury. This would get $50,000 worth of equipment in the playground. Dr. Schutte will move forward with the application and seek board approval if the district was awarded the grant.

Concussion Protocol Resolution, Concussion Management and Return to Play Protocols Dr. Schutte said all the protocols are in place already and they are making it a formality with seal of approval from the board. The board approved this resolution.

2018-2019 Budget Amendment
Director of Business Operations Paulette Newbold presented this item which was a request publish the budget amendment and set a public hearing at the next meeting for a budget amendment- This is an increase in the support services area of the budget from from $18.4 million to $21.2 million.
“We are not increasing our overall budget here at all,” Newbold said.
She said we are moving budget items out of instruction to the support services area of the budget.
The board set the public hearing for the budget amendment for May 20 and granted permission to publish a budget amendment.

Board Policies
Second Reading

409. 2- Sick Leave -No changes from previous reading.Approved

First Reading
707.3 Publication of Financial Records- Approved and amended
707.4 Audits – Approved as amended.
New 708.1-R1 Care, Maintenance and Disposal of School District Records- Adopted
708.1-R Board of Director’s Records Regulation- Deleted

Initial Review
708.5 Inventory – Deleted.
710.1 Purpose and Scope of Child Nutrition Programs – Minor changes made- Marked as reviewed
710.3 Competitive Foods – Minor changes made, marked as reviewed

The board then went into an exempt session for negotiations. The next regular meeting of the school board will be at 5 p.m. on May 20.

From Board President Bea Niblock
“Here we are approaching the end of another school year. I was reminded of the great students our district serves and the caring and talented staff who work with them during the recognition portion of the meeting.

Our student board representatives were honored for their service during this past year. America Dominguez, Jane Ragland and Jocelin Sharfnejda have set the bar high for next year’s student reps. Each meeting they have presented a wonderful PowerPoint to share the ‘happenings’ at the high school and upcoming events.

And, then Keaten Collinson, Marek Jablonski and Wesley Kodis were honored for their first place finish in cyber defense at the IT-Olympics at ISU. These young men are certainly positioned for a remarkable career in the tech field!” – Bea Niblock