The Board Report

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.

Lenihan Lego Leaguers recognized for Global Innovation Award nomination – watch recording
The Marshalltown School Board recognized the Lenihan Lego Leaguers at the Monday, Feb. 21 regular meeting. The Lenihan students were among just 16 Lego League teams statewide to be nominated for the FIRST Lego League Global Innovation Award. 

The team’s project focused on minimizing human error in the process of transporting kidneys to transplant patients. The students shared an engaging prototype demonstration at Monday evening’s board meeting.

While the project did not advance to the national level of competition, Lenihan Extended Learning Program (XLP) teacher Vanessa Engel said she is excited to see further achievement from her students in the coming years.

Partnership between MCSD & Child Abuse Prevention Services highlighted – watch recording
The robust partnership between Marshalltown Schools and Child Abuse Prevention Services (CAPS) to provide important programming was highlighted on Monday evening. Linda Havelka and Esmeralda Monroy of CAPS said the partnership provides services like migrant tutoring, connecting families to resources, and age-appropriate sexual abuse prevention and sexual health programming.

District demographic data shared – watch recording
Director of Human Resources Dr. Nora Ryan shared MCSD student and staff demographic data from the 2020-21 school year on Monday evening. The data collected was in alignment with federal demographic definitions.

Board hears update on work to address dyslexia – watch recording
Director of Special Services Matt Cretsinger shared an update on the progress made by the Iowa Dyslexia Board over the past several months. The presentation included a brief history of the work being done at the state and District levels to support students with dyslexia, as well as the District’s vision going forward.

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.

School funding, budgeting process overview presented – watch recording
Director of Finance Paulette Newbold shared information on how public schools are funded in Iowa, including how supplemental state aid works. The presentation also covered MCSD’s budgeting process.

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 –

• 406.6 Annuities-Licensed (amended, second reading waived)

Initial Review – 

• 407.4 Dismissal and Suspension of Licensed Employees (marked as reviewed)
• 407.4-R Discipline of Licensed Employees (will come back for a first reading)
• 407.4-E Disciplinary Guidelines-Licensed Personnel (marked as reviewed)

The next Marshalltown School Board meeting is set for 5 p.m. on Monday, March 7, 2022 at theCentral Administration Office, 1002 S. 3rd Ave. The meeting will be available to watch via live stream through the MCSD website, as well as our Facebook, and Twitter pages.

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.

Student shares experience speaking to governor about iJAG – watch recording

MHS senior Gustavo Ordaz Avalos presented on his positive experience with the Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) program on Monday evening. He was one of 10 students statewide chosen to share their iJAG success stories with Gov. Kim Reynolds last week.

Avalos emphasized the key role iJAG played in supporting his academic success in high school. He was joined by MHS iJAG specialists Mary McCann Fuchsen and Traci Wright, who commended the student’s hard work.

Board approves expanded $5,000 sign-on bonus, increased substitute teacher pay – watch recording
The board voted to approve a $5,000 sign-on bonus for high school French, Industrial Arts, and secondary math teaching positions on Monday. Like the existing sign-on bonus for special education teaching positions, the incentive applies to new hires who commit to their position for at least three years.

Also approved was an increase in pay for daily teacher substitutes from $120 to $130.

MHS student-teacher team selected for National History Day Summer Institute – watch recording
MHS Extended Learning Program (XLP) teacher Susan Fritzell and sophomore Leticia Herrera are among 16 student-teacher teams nationwide chosen to research World War II for the 2022 National History Day Summer Institute.

The Marshalltown School Board recognized the duo at the Monday, Feb. 7 regular meeting. Fritzell and Leticia spoke about their research, including their focus on the story of a WWII veteran from Marshalltown. The duo will travel to Hawaii this summer to join with fellow research teams as part of the Institute program.

National School Counseling Week runs Feb. 7-11 – watch recording
This week, Feb. 7-11, is National School Counseling Week. At MCSD, our outstanding school counselors serve students in multiple ways, from supporting social-emotional learning to guiding soon-to-be graduates toward college and career success after high school. Thank you to all of our school counselors!

2022-24 Strategic Communications & Marketing Plan approved – watch recording
The 2022-24 MCSD Strategic Communications & Marketing Plan gained board approval Monday evening. Communications Director Adam Sodders presented the plan in January and said work is well underway on several of the plan goals, including a District website upgrade and the development of a Welcome Center for new families.

Revised 2022-23 school calendar includes earlier school year end – watch recording
A revised 2022-23 school year calendar was approved on Monday. Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte said the revisions include:

• An additional teacher pre-service day in August 2022
• Last day of school for students – May 31, 2023
• Last teacher work day – June 1, 2023 (will accommodate staff mandatory training)

Student School Board representatives’ report – watch recording
Student School Board representatives Phoebe Hermanson, Haley Reed, and Taylor Jones shared the latest happenings and upcoming events at Marshalltown High School.

Four Oaks contract dissolved, services to continue through District – watch recording
The board voted to dissolve the remainder of the District’s contract with the Four Oaks Family and Children’s Services. Director of Special Services Matt Cretsinger said the move will result in cost savings for the District. He said current services will continue under MCSD after Four Oaks services end on June 30.

Purchases for new school buses, student Chromebooks, workstation computers approved – watch recording
Two new school buses will be added to the MCSD Transportation fleet after board action on Monday. Transportation Director Rex Kozak said four of the fleet’s current buses will be traded in as well; the remainder of the new bus purchase cost will be covered by PPEL funds.

The board also approved two important Technology Department purchases. New Chromebooks were ordered for students in grades PK, 2, 5, and 9, in accordance with the District’s normal device replacement cycle.

The other replacement cycle purchase to gain board approval included 75 laptop workstations for District Food Service, secretarial, and administrative assistant staff. The new computers will replace current, non-mobile workstations.

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 –

• 406.1 Employee Salary Schedule (amended, second reading waived)
• 406.4 Licensed Employee Compensation for Extra Duty (amended, second reading waived)
• 406.5 Licensed Employee Group Insurance Benefits (amended, second reading waived)
• 412.3 Classified Employee Group Insurance Benefits (amended, second reading waived)
• 406.3 Licensed Employee Continued Education Credit (adopted, second reading waived)

Initial Review – 

• 406.6 Annuities-Licensed (will come back for a first reading)
• 406.7 Prior Service (marked as reviewed)
• 407.1 Resignation (marked as reviewed)

The next Marshalltown School Board meeting is set for 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 21, 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.