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.
MHS students discuss AmeriCorps Program experiences – watch recording
MHS seniors Rochelle Avalos, Lwe Moo and Jose Manuel Vergara shared their experiences with the AmeriCorps Program at Tuesday’s board meeting. The students discussed taking leadership roles where they helped welcome and mentor their younger peers, provided college & career readiness support for senior students, and much more.
COVID-19 Mitigation Strategy update presented – watch recording
Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte shared an update to the District’s COVID-19 mitigation strategy at the Tuesday, Jan. 18 regular meeting. Changes made as of Tuesday include:
- Allowing use of lockers.
- Loosened restrictions in outdoor settings and within classroom sections.
- Returning some temporarily stored furniture to classrooms to allow for more collaborative work.
Dr. Schutte said additional proposed changes, including increased use of cafeterias during lunch and optional masking at the elementary level, are being postponed until county and District COVID-19 positivity rates decrease. He said the number one priority is to ensure as many staff and students are healthy and able to attend school as possible.
Dr. Schutte said recent vaccination clinics have provided a means for students and staff to be as protected as possible. He also praised the incredible efforts by building- and District-level staff to provide high-quality learning environments amid increased COVID-related absences.
Generous donation to support Junior Achievement opportunity for Miller Middle School students – watch recording
Dean Vaughn and Angie Shibe of Freedom Financial Group presented a $1,000 donation to support Miller Middle School students’ participation in the upcoming Junior Achievement Finance Park experience.
“I want to thank you very much for your continued support for our financial literacy efforts,” Dr. Schutte said during Tuesday’s recognition of the generous donation.
2022-23 school calendar approved – watch recording
The board approved the 2022-23 school year calendar on Tuesday. The decision came after MCSD families and staff were surveyed on which of two calendar options they preferred; a clear majority of both groups favored the calendar option approved by the board.
The 2022-23 calendar closely resembles this school year’s calendar – the first day of school will be Aug. 23, Thanksgiving Break will be Nov. 23-25, Winter Break will be Dec. 23-Jan. 3, Spring Break will be March 13-17, a vacation day will be held on April 7, and the last day of school is scheduled for June 1.
MHS Poetry Out Loud winner Landon Stanley recognized – watch recording
MHS freshman Landon Stanley won first place in this year’s MHS Poetry Out Loud contest, and his accomplishment was recognized by the board ahead of this spring’s state-level Poetry Out Loud competition.
Landon gave a great performance of David Kirby’s “Broken Promises” at Tuesday evening’s meeting. We look forward to cheering him on at the state level!
Alliant Energy named a valuable Career Readiness Partner – watch recording
Alliant Energy is an incredibly valuable partner in the Marshalltown CSD’s Bobcat Ready efforts, and the company was recognized with an MCSD Career Readiness Partner Award on Tuesday.
“I’ve been very appreciative of [Alliant Energy] getting on board with Junior Achievement – they were one of the first organizations that sent external volunteers to help us with that effort,” said Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte, who presented the award to Alliant Energy Training Specialist Lori Wildman and Senior Manager of Customer Operations Carla Gall.
Learn more about all the ways Alliant Energy supports Bobcat Ready efforts here!
2022-24 Strategic Communications & Marketing Plan presented – watch recording
Communications Director Adam Sodders provided information on the 2022-24 Strategic Communications & Marketing Plan. The plan was formed using focus group feedback from MCSD students, families, staff, and local organizational and business leaders, a process supported by the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA).
Woodbury Elementary showcase highlights collaborative problem solving – watch recording
Woodbury Elementary Principal Anel Garza was joined by staff members Anay Avila, Mary Brown, and Heidi Williams to share details behind the school’s collaborative problem solving efforts with students.
Updates shared on Full Service Community School Grant & 21st Century Grant – watch recording
Director of Instruction Shauna Smith and Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA) Family Development Director Allison Wilson shared information on two grants supporting important programs for MCSD students.
The $500,000 Full Service Community School Grant is in its fourth year of implementation through MCSD’s partnership with MICA. The grant focuses on student attendance, academic proficiency, health, safety, and family engagement. This year, the 21st Century Grant is providing funding for after school programming at Anson, Hoglan, and Franklin elementary schools. The grant is currently in its third year of implementation at MCSD, in partnership with MICA.
Student School Board representatives’ report – watch recording
Student School Board representatives Phoebe Hermanson, Aaron Seberger, and Taylor Jones shared the latest happenings and upcoming events at Marshalltown High School.
MHS attendance efforts reviewed – watch recording
MHS Bilingual Attendance Specialist Celia Gomez presented on the efforts and progress made in working with students on school attendance at Tuesday’s meeting.
2022-23 MHS Course Guide approved – watch recording
Next school year’s MHS course guide gained board approval on Tuesday. The guide includes several exciting new offerings, including online certifications, computer networking and repair, advanced consumer economics, social media marketing, and web design. Other additions include a lifeguarding course and an XLP 9th grade seminar.
MHS Principal Jacque Wyant said many of the new offerings are based on the District’s Bobcat Ready initiative, which seeks to ensure students have the skills and knowledge they need for life after high school.
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 Tuesday, click here.
Policies:
First Reading –
- 405.10 Access to Buildings (amended, second reading waived)
- 405.12 School Nurse – Functions (amended, second reading waived)
Initial Review –
- 406.1 Employee Salary Schedule (will come back for a first reading)
- 406.4 Licensed Employee Compensation for Extra Duty (will come back for a first reading)
- 406.5 Licensed Employee Group Insurance Benefits (will come back for a first reading)
- 412.3 Classified Employee Group Insurance Benefits (will come back for a first reading)
- 406.3 Licensed Employee Continued Education Credit (will come back for a first reading)
The next Marshalltown School Board meeting is set for 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022 at theCentral 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 