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.

Several employee agreements, wage increases approved – watch recording
Five agreements with Marshalltown CSD employee groups gained board approval at the Monday, April 18 Marshalltown School Board meeting. Each of the agreements included an increase in wages. The agreements approved on Monday included the following employee groups:

• Transportation – $0.50 increase for bus drivers; $1.25 increase for bus monitors
• Buildings and Grounds – 3.13% increase (contingent on union ratification)
• 10-month and 12-month secretarial/administrative assistant staff – 3.07% increase
• Other staff – 3% increase, with the exception of a few classifications
• Administrators – 3% increase, similar to the increase approved for certified staff

Details shared on unique scuba diving P.E. unit at MHS – watch recording
Marshalltown High School P.E. teacher Chris Ehlert gave an overview of the unique, exciting scuba diving unit provided to students for the first time this month. 

Ehlert described how the unit positively impacted students. The scuba diving unit was made possible thanks to a partnership with STC Dive Center, and students received instruction at the MHS Pool.

Public School Volunteer Week, Administrative Professionals Day recognized – watch recording
Two important groups within the Marshalltown Schools community were recognized on Monday.

This week, April 18-22, is National School Volunteer week. The Marshalltown CSD is blessed to have parents and community members who give their time to support Bobcat students’ education and extracurricular activities.

Administrative Professionals Day is next Wednesday, April 27. Administrative Professionals Day is an opportunity to highlight the critical work done by the administrative assistants and secretarial staff spread throughout the District. These professionals serve as crucial points of contact for parents, students, fellow staff members, and community members.

2022-23 school handbooks presented – watch recording
School handbooks covering the preschool and elementary levels, Lenihan Intermediate School, Miller Middle School, Marshalltown High School, Marshalltown Learning Academy, Marshalltown Virtual Academy (elementary & secondary levels) and the Transportation Department were presented to the board on Monday.

The handbooks provide students and families with important information on expectations, rules, policies, procedures, and curriculum at each school. The handbooks were up for discussion only at Monday’s meeting, and are set to be voted upon by the board at a future meeting.

Marshalltown High School showcase presented – watch recording
Marshalltown High School Principal Jacque Wyant was joined by Associate Principal Michael Dale, and  Instructional Coaches Brad Weidenaar and Janelle Hawk to present on student data and programs. 

The group touched on the high school’s overall vision and goals, and included information on student involvement in extracurricular activities.

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.

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 – 

• 411.5 Classified Employee Assignment (adopted, second reading waived)
• 411.6 Classified Employee Transfers (adopted, second reading waived)
• 411.8 Classified Employee Probationary Status (adopted, second reading waived)
• 413.2 Classified Employee Retirement (amended, second reading waived)
• 413.3 Dismissal and Suspension of Classified Employees (amended, second reading waived)

First Reading – 

• 414.2 Personal Illness (deleted)
• 414.10 Classified Employees Immediate Family Illness (deleted)

The next Marshalltown School Board meeting is set for 5 p.m. on Monday, May 2, 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.

FY23 MCSD budget approved, includes lower property tax rate – watch recording
The Marshalltown CSD budget for Fiscal Year 2023 gained board approval at the Monday, April 4 Marshalltown School Board meeting. The FY23 budget includes a lower property tax rate compared to the current fiscal year, coming to approximately $17.855 per $1,000 taxable valuation.

A public hearing on the budget was held prior to approval on Monday, with no comments shared. Additionally, the board approved an amendment to the current year’s budget; a public hearing on that amendment also yielded no comments.

Lenihan essay contest honorees recite their work – watch recording
A group of talented writers from Lenihan Intermediate School recited their award-winning “What the Flag Means to Me” essays at Monday’s meeting. 

The group included sixth-graders Aiden Holmgren, Alonso Romero Bautista, Garrett Thede, Arianie Hidalgo, and Kennedy Goldman. Those students, in addition to Martiza Barajas Hernandez, received awards from the Marshalltown Elks Lodge for their excellent essays.

Fifth-grader Brooklyn Smith recited her American Flag essay as well. Brooklyn and fellow fifth-graders Kayden Upah and Gina Priscy-Banakeng were honored by the Marshalltown American Legion for their essays.

Soon-to-be Rogers Elementary Principal (re)introduced– watch recording
Rogers Elementary will welcome new leadership this summer as longtime Rogers Principal Dr. Mick Jurgensen finishes his final school year before retirement. Pam McDonnell, who will succeed Dr. Jurgensen, said she is excited to be back in Marshalltown at Monday’s meeting.

McDonnell is a 1982 MHS graduate and former ELL teacher at the District, and she will bring 35 years of experience in public education to her new position effective July 1. She currently serves as Consultant for English Language Acquisition and Immigrant Education for the Iowa Department of Education. 

McDonnell has also served as an elementary- and secondary teacher, and has worked with at-risk students, special education students, and English language learners. She met with Rogers staff at an open house event prior to Monday’s meeting.

Teacher-librarians, associate principals, paraeducators honored this week – watch recording
The month of April brings opportunities to recognize and thank several groups of school staff  for the unique, critical role each plays to support student success. Three staff groups were highlighted during recognitions on Monday evening.

The District’s outstanding teacher-librarians were celebrated on National School Librarian Day Monday. Also being celebrated are National Assistant Principals Week from April 4-8 and National Paraprofessional Appreciation Day on Wednesday, April 6.

Fisher Elementary showcase presented – watch recording
Fisher Elementary Principal Mark Lee and Instructional Coach Jennifer August shared facts and figures on student programming and curricula on Monday. They discussed academic data, attendance, the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) programming, and more.

Tentative 2022-23 agreements approved for food service, certified staff groups – watch recording
Two 2022-23 tentative employee agreements gained board approval on Monday. One agreement was with the Marshalltown Education Association, which includes step and lane advancement, longevity, and an addition of $465 to the base of the salary schedule and $502 to the base of the supplemental salary schedule. A three-year agreement was approved between the MEA and MCSD last year.

Also approved was the tentative Food Service professionals agreement, which included a small number of language changes in the Master Contract and a 7.07% overall increase in cost ($1/hr). It is a one-year agreement.

Director of Instruction shares information on PLC Institutes – watch recording
The benefits of Professional Learning Community (PLC) Institutes were highlighted on Monday evening. Director of Instruction Shauna Smith described the advantages of such professional learning for teachers, and cited research showing its positive impact on student success.

Student School Board representatives’ report – watch recording
Student School Board representative Phoebe Hermanson 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 – 

• 411.5 Classified Employee Assignment (will come back for a first reading)
• 411.6 Classified Employee Transfers (will come back for a first reading)
• 411.7 Evaluation (marked as reviewed)
• 411.8 Classified Employee Probationary Status (will come back for a first reading)
• 412.4 Classified Employee Tax Shelter Programs (marked as reviewed)
• 413.2 Classified Employee Retirement (will come back for a first reading)
• 413.3 Dismissal and Suspension of Classified Employees (will come back for a first reading)
• 413.3-R Dismissal and Suspension of Classified Employees Regulation(marked as reviewed)
• 413.3-E Disciplinary Guidelines-Classified Personnel (marked as reviewed)

First Reading – 

• 405.1 Licensed Employee Defined (adopted, second reading waived)
• 411.3 Classified Employee Terms of Employment (adopted, second reading waived)
• 412.2 Classified Employee Wage and Overtime Compensation (adopted, second reading waived)
• 411.2 Classified Employee-Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection (amended, second reading waived)
• 412.1 Salary Schedule (amended, second reading waived)

The next Marshalltown School Board meeting is set for 5 p.m. on Monday, April 18, 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.