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.

Class of 2022 dual graduates recognized – watch recording
The Marshalltown School Board recognized 18 MHS seniors who will graduate with a college degree, diploma, or certificate in hand at the Monday, May 16, 2022 regular meeting. The students recognized on Monday evening included:

• Rochelle Avalos (Associate of Arts – MCC)
• Marcus Barker (Associate of Arts – MCC)
• Hunter Block (Fire Science Certificate – Kirkwood Community College)
• Jackelyn Bravo Hernandez (Early Childhood: Child Development Certificate – MCC)
• Uriel Botello (Architecture, Construction, & Engineering Career Academy Certificate – MCC)
• Lilly Duff (Associate of Arts – MCC)
• Alivia Eaton (Associate of Arts – MCC)
• Brenna Hempy (Associate of Arts – MCC)
• Veronica Herrera (Associate of Arts – MCC)
• Zoe Johnson (Associate of Arts – MCC)
• Taylor Jones (Associate of Arts – MCC)
• Jonah Landas (Associate of Arts – MCC)
• Jose Manuel Vergara (Associate of Arts – MCC)
• Levi Ogston (Manufacturing Welding Practitioner Diploma – MCC)
• Alejandro Rivas Alanis (Associate of Arts – MCC)
• Erin Stanley (Associate of Arts – MCC)
• Cassidy Wedemeyer (Associate of Arts – MCC)

Congratulations to all of these exceptional students!

Student School Board representatives thanked for their service – watch recording
Student School Board representatives Phoebe Hermanson, Taylor Jones, Haley Reed, and Aaron Seberger were recognized and thanked for their service during the 2021-22 school year on Monday evening.

The four student representatives also shared their final presentation on MHS happenings with the board. All four seniors will graduate with their Class of 2022 peers later this month. Learn more about these exceptional student leaders here!

NIET professional learning proposal approved – watch recording
The board approved an agreement with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) to provide professional learning services in the 2022-23 school year.

Director of Instruction Shauna Smith, Director of Special Services Matt Cretsinger, College & Career Readiness Curriculum and Professional Development Leader (CDPL) Jenny Allen, and PK-6 CDPL Erica Finders presented on NIET and how it will fit in with the District’s initiatives.

Preschool literacy curriculum recommendation presented – watch recording
District Director of Instruction Shauna Smith, PK-6 CDPL Erica Finders, and Preschool Coordinator Emily Banks presented a recommended new preschool literacy curriculum – Frog Street – on Monday evening.

The three education leaders described the highlights of Frog Street, and said they were joined by preschool teachers and PK-4 instructional coaches in the process of narrowing down curriculum options to come to a recommendation.

The board did not take action on this item on Monday evening. A vote on the recommended curriculum will take place at an upcoming board meeting.

Marshalltown Learning Academy showcase presented – watch recording
Marshalltown Learning Academy Principal Eric Goslinga gave an overview of the school’s programs and philosophy. He said MLA’s four primary student learning focus areas include core instruction, work-based learning, dual credit & transition, and social-emotional learning.

Goslinga said MLA serves as an alternative learning environment for high school students, offering several pathways to academic success. He said a semester at MLA is defined by a set of standards for a student to master – not as a function of time.

High school graduates list approved – watch recording
The board approved a list of 350 soon-to-be high school graduates at Monday’s meeting, pending fulfillment of graduation requirements. The Class of 2022 MHS Commencement Ceremony will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 29 at Leonard Cole Field, and will be available to watch via live stream.

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 – 

• 415.1 Drug and Alcohol Testing Program (will come back for a first reading)
• 415.1-E1 Drug and Alcohol Testing Program Notice to Employees (will come back for a first reading)
• 415.1-E2 Drug and Alcohol Program and Pre-Employment Testing Acknowledgment Form (marked as reviewed)
• New Exhibit 403.6-E3 Drug and Alcohol Program and Pre-Employment Testing Written Consent Information (will come back for a first reading)

The next Marshalltown School Board meeting is set for 5 p.m. on Monday, June 6, 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.

School Board Recognition Month celebrated – watch recording
May is School Board Recognition Month, and Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte shared the District’s appreciation for the significant contributions made by the seven members of the Marshalltown School Board at the Monday, May 2 regular meeting.

Board members are elected by their school community members to manage our local schools. Along with overseeing the District’s annual budget, board members make key decisions in the interest of our 5,200 students and nearly 900 staff spread across 10 school buildings and a virtual academy. These elected volunteers create school policy, approve curricula, develop innovative opportunities, and maintain school facilities. They spend many hours in board training programs and personal study, while also advocating for public schools with their local legislators.

Thank you to all seven Marshalltown School Board members!

• Sean Heitmann, President
• Sara Faltys, Vice President
• Karina Hernandez
• Bonnie Lowry
• Jan McGinnis
• Leah Stanley
• Zach Wahl

Great appreciation shown for educators – watch recording
Also highlighted at the May 2 regular board meeting were the hundreds of teachers and educational staff who serve Bobcat students every day. Tuesday, May 3 is Teacher Appreciation Day, with Teacher Appreciation Week continuing through Friday, May 6.

Dr. Schutte gave special thanks to teachers for providing quality learning environments for students. He also thanked staff members who support students’ learning every day alongside the District’s outstanding teachers, who play a key role in developing the leaders and thinkers of tomorrow.

$5,000 sign-on incentive approved for XLP, 7-12 science teaching positions – watch recording
A $5,000 sign-on incentive will be offered for newly-hired, full-time Extended Learning Program (XLP) teachers and science teachers at grades 7-12 after board action on Monday.

As with other positions approved for the $5,000 sign-on incentive, a candidate must commit to at least three years of employment. 

Other teaching positions currently approved for the incentive include 7-12 math, industrial arts, and special education. Reach out to nryan@marshalltown.k12.ia.us for questions about this incentive.

Students’ National History Day state competition successes highlighted – watch recording
Four Bobcat students were recognized for their outstanding performances at the National History Day state competition in April.

MHS students Leticia Herrera and Yessenia Alvarez Zamora qualified for the NHD national competition for their group exhibit “La Huelga: The Struggle That Brought Farmworkers Rights.” Fellow MHS student Charlie Gilbertson won the Military History Award and was a runner-up for Nationals with his documentary “How the U-2 Incident Eroded Super Power Diplomacy.”

Additionally, Miller Middle School eighth grader Lucas Hagen’s National History Day performance, titled “The Caning of Senator Charles Sumner,” earned a top-three finish in the state competition’s junior individual performance division. Lucas was selected as an alternate for the upcoming NHD National Contest as a result of his excellent performance.

iJAG students share successes as board approves continued partnership – watch recording
The board heard about the positive impacts the Iowa Jobs for America’s Graduates (iJAG) program has had on two MHS students at Monday’s meeting. Senior Manuel Castellanos and junior Journee Blaylock said the program has helped them find success in their journey toward graduation.

As part of Monday’s consent agenda, the board approved continuing the District’s partnership with iJAG at Miller Middle School, MHS, and Marshalltown Learning Academy in the 2022-23 school year.

MHS early graduates list approved – watch recording
Several Class of 2023 Marshalltown High School students were approved to graduate early, pending completion of graduation requirements. Some of the students are set to graduate a year early, and others plan to graduate after the fall semester of 2022-23.

Approval given to seek bids for a new aquatic scoreboard – watch recording
The board granted approval for the MHS Activities Department and District Technology Department to seek bids on a new, upgraded scoreboard for the MHS Pool. Scoring equipment will be sought along with the new scoreboard.

Hoglan Elementary showcase presented – watch recording
Hoglan Elementary Principal Amy Williams was joined by third grade teacher Hannah Pfantz, instructional coach Mallory Kern, and school resource specialist Angela Pelham to give an overview of the school’s programs on Monday.

The Hoglan educators described the significant social-emotional learning (SEL) efforts underway at the school, including Morning Meeting, Bobcat Buddies, and more.

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.

2022-23 school handbooks approved – 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 approved by 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 approved after being presented to the board in April.

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 – 

• 414.11 Classified Employees Personal Leave (deleted)
• 414.12 Temporary Disability (deleted)

The next Marshalltown School Board meeting is set for 5 p.m. on Monday, May 16, 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.