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.

Students celebrated for outstanding State Speech performances – watch recording
MHS students Jeremiah Hernandez and Andrea Montes Melendez were named Outstanding Performers at this year’s Individual State Speech contest, a feat for which they were recognized at the Monday, March 21 Marshalltown School Board meeting. 

As Outstanding Performers, both students qualified to attend the annual All-State Speech Festival of Individual Events on March 28 at UNI. Montes Melendez and Hernandez each gave moving performances at Monday’s board meeting – make sure to watch at the link above!

Public hearings set for proposed 2022-23 budget, amendment to current fiscal year budget – watch recording
The board approved setting a public hearing and publication of the proposed FY23 MCSD budget on Monday. The proposed budget includes a lower property tax rate compared to this year, and the public hearing is set for Monday, April 4 at 5 p.m.

Also approved was a public hearing and publication of a proposed amendment to the current fiscal year budget. That hearing will also be held during the regular board meeting on April 4.

Board takes step toward new Fisher Elementary walking track – watch recording
Competitive quotes will be sought for a proposed walking path at Fisher Elementary School after board action Monday. Also approved were design drawings of the proposed path, which were presented by TSP Architect Justin Sorensen.

Lonnie Hogeland donation supports Fisher playground upgrade – watch recording
Local business owner Lonnie Hogeland made yet another generous donation to the Marshalltown CSD on Monday, this time toward the Fisher Elementary playground resurfacing project. The $4,000 donation is the latest in the 1986 MHS graduate’s long history of supporting Marshalltown Schools.

District health insurance plan approved for 2022-23 – watch recording
The District’s 2022-23 self-funded health insurance plan for employees gained board approval on Monday evening. The two main changes made to the plan include:

• The current Alliance Select plan will be replaced with the Blue Choice. The Blue Choice plan will have the same design as the Alliance Select plan.
• The specialty drug copay will increase from $85 to $100 and will move to the Exclusive Specialty Pharmacy Program with the copay card.

Under the 2022-23 plan, Director of Finance Paulette Newbold said more than half of plan enrollees will see no change to their monthly deductions, and more than a quarter will have lower monthly deductions.

Miller Middle School showcase presented – watch recording
Miller Middle School Co-Principals Kristyn Kell and Dave Glenn were joined by special education teacher Lauren Ward, social studies teacher Brett Comegys, and language arts teacher Angie Lovell to present on building data and programs.

Among the topics discussed was the successful co-teaching system in many Miller classrooms.

MHS student’s state Poetry Out Loud win highlighted – watch recording
MHS freshman Landon Stanley’s recent victory at the Poetry Out Loud state contest was recognized on Monday. It is the second year in a row that a Bobcat student won the Poetry Out Loud state championship – 2021 grad Elijah Thiessen won the honor last year.

Student School Board representatives’ report – watch recording
Student School Board representatives Haley Reed, Phoebe Hermanson and Aaron Seberger shared the latest happenings and upcoming events at Marshalltown 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:
Initial Review – 

• 411.1 Definition of Classified Personnel (marked as reviewed)
• 411.9 Terms of Employment (deleted)
• 411.2 Classified Employee-Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection (will come back for a first reading)
• 412.1 Salary Schedule (will come back for a first reading)
• 405.1 Licensed Employee Defined (will come back for a first reading)
• 411.3 Classified Employee Terms of Employment (will come back for a first reading)
• 412.2 Classified Employee Wage and Overtime Compensation (will come back for a first reading)
  

The next Marshalltown School Board meeting is set for 5 p.m. on Monday, April 4, 2022 at the Central 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.

Board shows appreciation for staff with retention payment approval – watch recording
In a proactive decision at the Monday, March 7 regular meeting, the Marshalltown School Board approved retention payments for eligible staff who do not qualify for a similar payment from the state level.

“It takes all of us to put together a high-quality educational experience for our young people,” said Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte. 

The state-level retention payment includes $1,000 for qualifying full-time, in-person teachers. Monday’s decision means an equivalent retention payment (or a prorated payment, as appropriate) will be given to all other eligible staff members using federal ESSER funds. For full details on the payments, please see the recorded segment from Monday’s board meeting above.

The board also officially shared its intention to provide similar payments to qualified staff next school year, if still allowed under state and/or federal law.

Another stellar MHS Boys Bowling campaign recognized  – watch recording
The MHS Boys Bowling team just completed another outstanding season, finishing as runners-up in the Class 3A state competition. It was their eighth-straight state-qualifying season. Bowling Head Coach DJ Wilder and several team members were recognized for their continued excellence on Monday evening.

In addition to their great team performance, individual team members earned major plaudits this season. Demitri Ferneau was named First Team All-State, Andru Wilder was named Second Team All-State, and Damon Borton finished second overall as an individual in state competition.

Fisher Elementary playground resurfacing project moves forward – watch recording
Fisher Elementary students will soon have an improved platform for outdoor play after board action on Monday. The board approved a contract with Boland Recreation to complete the playground resurfacing project. Buildings and Grounds Director Todd Goulding said the Fisher project follows similar work at other District schools.

Student School Board representatives’ report – watch recording
Student School Board representatives Phoebe Hermanson and Aaron Seberger shared the latest happenings and upcoming events at Marshalltown 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 –

• 407.4-R Discipline of Licensed Employees (amended, second reading waived)

Initial Review – 

• 408.1 Licensed Employee Professional Development (marked as reviewed)
• 408.3 Tutoring (marked as reviewed)
• 410.7 Exchange Teachers (marked as reviewed)

The next Marshalltown School Board meeting is set for 5 p.m. on Monday, March 21, 2022 at the Central 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.