The Board Report

New feature: To watch the full board meeting discussion of the below items, please click the “watch recording” link next to each item. The links will take you to the start of each of the below agenda items/topics from the board meeting recording.

Face mask mandate put in place for PK-6 staff and students – watch recording
The Marshalltown School Board approved a face mask mandate for PK-6 students and staff while indoors at school. The mandate covers Anson, Fisher, Franklin, Hoglan, Rogers, and Woodbury elementary schools, as well as Lenihan Intermediate School; it will take effect on Wednesday, Sept. 22.

This measure does not affect students or staff at the 7-12 level, where vaccines have been approved and made available to those able and willing. Face masks will continue to be highly recommended, not required, at Miller Middle School, Marshalltown High School, and Marshalltown Learning Academy.

District data on COVID-19 from both the current and previous school years was also shared at the meeting.

MCSD takes step toward upgraded website – watch recording
An important step was made toward a new and improved Marshalltown CSD website at the Sept. 20 board meeting. A request for proposal document was approved, and vendors have until 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 8 to submit proposals. 

“One of the recommendations from the [Communications] Audit report was that multi-authoring ability, so that we could more easily delegate certain pages’ directories… to other people throughout the district,” said District Director of Technology Amy Harmsen, adding she worked closely with Director of Communications Adam Sodders in forming the RFP document approved Monday.

Discussion of a District website upgrade, as well as the broader MCSD Communications Audit report, was held at a recent school board work session.

District IT professionals celebrated – watch recording
The Marshalltown CSD’s excellent Technology Team was recognized at Monday’s meeting ahead of National IT Professionals Day on Tuesday, Sept. 21. Read more here!

New Student School Board representatives introduced – watch recording
Two of this year’s new Student School Board representatives – Taylor Jones and Phoebe Hermanson – introduced themselves to the board. The students also shared their regular meeting presentation.

Hermanson and Jones are joined in their Student Board representative roles by Aaron Seberger and second-year rep Haley Reed. The student leaders will hold regular presentations to the board this school year, outlining important happenings at MHS.

Important committees approved for 2021-22 – watch recording
The membership of two important school committees gained board approval Monday evening, The board approved the Equity Committee, as well as the School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC), for the 2021-22 school year. The committees include not only school staff and administrators, but also District parents and guardians.

Communications
Communications Director Adam Sodders reviewed the good news from the district by sharing newspaper articles as well as school communications articles. That list can be seen here.

Personnel items
For a list of personnel items approved Monday, click here.

Policies:
First Reading –

• 401.5 Employee Records (amended, second reading waived)
• 501.14 Open Enrollment-Sending District (amended, second reading waived)
• 501.15 Open Enrollment-Receiving District (amended, second reading waived)
• 505.5 Graduation Requirements (amended, second reading waived)
• 508.5 Activity Ticket Funds (tabled)
• 603.6 Physical Education (amended, second reading waived)
• 604.1 Private Instruction (amended, second reading waived)
• 711.2 Student Conduct on School Transportation (amended, second reading waived)
• New Policy 205.4 Lifetime Activity Passes (adopted, second reading waived)
• New Policy 502.3 Student Expression and Student Publications (adopted, second reading waived)
• New Regulation 502.3-R1 Student Expression and Student Publications Code (adopted, second reading waived)
• New Policy 905.3 Weapons in the School District (adopted, second reading waived)

Initial Review –

• 401.7 Employee Travel Compensation (marked as reviewed)
• 401.8 Recognition for Service of Employees (marked as reviewed)
• 401.10 Credit Cards (will come back for a first reading)
• 804.6 Video Surveillance (will come back for a first reading)
• 711.2-R2 (new 804.6-R1) Use of Recording Devices on School Buses (will come back for a first reading)
• 804.6-R (new 804.6-R2) Video Surveillance Regulation (marked as reviewed)

From Board President Bea Niblock
September 22^nd (Wednesday) will see the first day of fall and the wearing of masks by all students and staff from PK- 6^th grade while indoors. 

Last night’s board meeting was filled with a discussion regarding masks/no masks in our district buildings. Data was presented regarding the increasing number of Covid cases, attendance data and CDC and public health recommendations. Parents spoke, emails were read and survey data was shared. The board had much to discuss from all of that input.

After a recommendation for a full mask mandate district-wide was defeated, the board approved a proposal to institute a mask mandate for grades PK6. This was passed largely due to the fact that vaccine is not yet available to students of that age group. After a vaccine is available and students have had an opportunity to become vaccinated and develop an immunity, this mandate will be revisited.

The next Marshalltown School Board meeting is set for 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 4, 2021 at the Central Administration Office, 1002 S. 3rd Ave. The meeting will be available to watch via live stream through the Bobcat News Network (BNN) YouTube channel.

Note on new feature: Watch the full board meeting discussion regarding each of the below items by clicking the “watch recording” link. The link will take you directly to the beginning of the chosen agenda item/topic in the video recording of the meeting.

Orpheum Theater, parking lot set to become part of MCSD – watch recording
The Marshalltown School Board approved a letter of intent to purchase the Orpheum Theater Center, an important Marshalltown landmark, at the Sept. 7 Marshalltown School Board meeting. The Orpheum is set to become part of the District after several years of Iowa Valley Community College District operation.

Additionally, the board approved an agreement to acquire the parking lot next to the Orpheum from UnityPoint Health. Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte said the facility is planned for educational use by Bobcat students.

Students share Great Debate experiences – watch recording
MHS students Vania Madrigal Ibarra and Edgar Tellez strengthened several important skills as they took part in the National Hispanic Institute’s Great Debate. The students shared their experiences from the event at Tuesday’s board meeting.

Vania said she was able to share about her life experiences using self-expression skills. Edgar said he developed strong points and counter arguments on an assigned topic during the event.

School supply donation efforts highlighted – watch recording
Hundreds of pens, pencils, notebooks, crayons, and more were recently donated to the Marshalltown CSD through two generous efforts. 

House of Compassion Director Chad Hammar and MPD Officer Andrew Cole, representing the Fraternal Order of Police, partnered to provide large numbers of supplies for this year’s Stuff the Bus effort. Additionally, hundreds of supply-stuffed backpacks were provided by O’Brien Family McDonald’s, which includes the local McDonald’s location.

These donation efforts help to ensure all students have access to essential school supplies as the new year begins.

Proceeds from Bobcat Burger sales donated to MHS Activities Department – watch recording
MHS Activities Director Ryan Isgrig accepted a generous donation from local Legends American Grill Manager Brady Ridout at Tuesday’s meeting. The donation of more than $1,500 was raised through sales of the restaurant’s signature Bobcat Burger. For each Bobcat Burger purchased, $1 was added to the donation funds.

2021-22 Student School Board representatives share first update – watch recording
Student School Board representatives Haley Reed and Aaron Seberger shared the first of many school year updates with the school board Tuesday evening. 

Reed returns as a representative after serving last school year; Seberger, one of the new student board reps this year, introduced himself to the board. Fellow student representatives Taylor Jones and Phoebe Hermanson will also share updates at school board meetings this year.

Communications
Communications Director Adam Sodders reviewed the good news from the district by sharing newspaper articles as well as school communications articles. That list can be seen here.

Personnel items
For a list of personnel items approved Monday, click here.

Policies:
First Reading –

• 401.13 Staff Technology Use/Social Networking

Initial Review – 

• 401.5 Employee Records (will come back for a first reading)
• 401.5-R1 Employee Records Regulation (marked as reviewed)
• 401.6 Limitations to Employment References (marked as reviewed)
• 501.14 Open Enrollment-Sending District (will come back for a first reading)
• 501.15 Open Enrollment-Receiving District (will come back for a first reading)
• 505.5 Graduation Requirements (will come back for a first reading)
• 508.5 Activity Ticket Funds (will come back for a first reading)
• 603.6 Physical Education (will come back for a first reading)
• 604.1 Private Instruction (will come back for a first reading)
• 711.2 Student Conduct on School Transportation (will come back for a first reading)
• New Policy 205.4 Lifetime Activity Passes (will come back for a first reading)
• New Policy 502.3 Student Expression and Student Publications (will come back for a first reading)
• New Regulation 502.3-R1 Student Expression and Student Publications Code (will come back for a first reading)
• New Policy 905.3 Weapons in the School District (will come back for a first reading)
• 504.3 School Publications (deleted)
• 504.3-R1 Student Publications Code (deleted)

The next Marshalltown School Board meeting is set for 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021 at the Central Administration Office, 1002 S. 3rd Ave. The meeting will be available to watch via live stream through the Bobcat News Network (BNN) YouTube channel.