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.
Hermanson 
Jones
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 22nd (Wednesday) will see the first day of fall and the wearing of masks by all students and staff from PK- 6th 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.
The Board Report 