Board approves exciting new MHS student activities – watch recording
There will be even more unique, high-quality activities available to MHS students starting in the 2022-23 school year after Marshalltown School Board action at the Monday, June 6 regular meeting, including:
- E-sports (electronic sports): Students will have the opportunity to play video games in a highly competitive, organized environment. E-sports competitions have become very popular, and the activity will grow students’ organization, teamwork, and planning skills, all of which are highly valued in many career paths.
- Girls wrestling: After being sanctioned by the Iowa Girls Athletic Union recently, girls wrestling is now available separate from boys wrestling. MHS will include girls wrestling starting next school year, and only one team member is required to have the program. MHS Activities Director Ryan Isgrig said three girls went out for wrestling with the boys team last year, and more interest could come now that a girls wrestling team is available.
- Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs): The board approved two new CTSOs to be offered at MHS next school year – Future Farmers of America (FFA) and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). Along with offering valuable work-based learning experiences, the organizations will also help foster community partnerships and support the ongoing career and technical education underway at MCSD.
Research shows that students who participate in school activities tend to have improved academic performance and school engagement compared to non-participants. The three activities approved on Monday will add to the great, enriching opportunities available to Bobcat students!
Record-breaking 53 Class of 2022 grads earn Seal of Biliteracy – watch recording
A record-breaking 53 graduates from the Class of 2022 earned a Seal of Biliteracy this school year, and three biliterate graduates demonstrated their skills during a board recognition on Monday.
Seal of Biliteracy earners Miguel Becerra (Spanish), Rebekah Stone (French), and Siang Tial (Hakha Chin) each gave an introduction in their languages and shared their future plans with the board. Every year, the Seal is awarded to students for attaining proficiency in English and one or more languages by the time they graduate from high school.
The future of the Seal of Biliteracy at MCSD is bright, with 28 juniors having already qualified to earn the Seal upon graduating as part of the Class of 2023.
New music curricula recommended – watch recording
Director of Instruction Shauna Smith and Curriculum and Professional Development Leader (CDPL) Julie Thede were joined by Miller Middle School Band Instructor Mary Potter and MHS Vocal Music Instructor Amy Ose to recommend new music curriculum materials for K-6 general music and 5-12 performance music on Monday.
The curriculum recommended for K-6 general music was Quaver, while the MusicFirst and SmartMusic platforms were recommended for performance music at grades 5-12.
HumanEx Culture Survey results presented – watch recording
HumanEx CEO Brad Black presented an executive summary of the 2022 District-wide employee culture survey on Monday evening. The summary includes the District’s scores on 15 culture dimensions, a comparison to previous scores, and much more.
The top five scoring dimensions this year were Engage-Inspire, Pride, Continuous Improvement, Innovation, and Quality.
New preschool literacy curriculum approved – watch recording
The board voted to approve a four-year agreement for the Frog Street preschool literacy curriculum at Monday’s meeting. The approval vote came after the curriculum was presented by Director of Instruction Shauna Smith in May.
MCSD receives clean financial statement audit for FY 2021 – watch recording
Kristi Wick of Hogan-Hansen, CPAs and Consultants gave an overview of the MCSD Fiscal Year 2021 financial statement audit at Monday’s board meeting. The independent firm found no issues in their audit of the District’s finances, and the board voted to approve the statement as presented.
2022-23 school meal price changes approved – watch recording
The board approved a set of school meal price changes recommended by Director of Food Service Lynn Large on Monday. Large said the slight price increases were necessary to remain compliant with the USDA’s Paid Lunch Equity Tool and federal regulations, and to keep up with challenges created by supply chain shortages and rising food supply costs.
Employee handbook and appendices discussed – watch recording
The recommended 2022-23 MCSD employee handbook and appendices were presented by Director of Human Resources Dr. Nora Ryan for information and discussion on Monday evening. The handbook covers the following groups:
- Nutrition professionals
- Buildings and Grounds staff
- Paraeducators
- School bus drivers and monitors
- 10- and 12-month secretaries, administrative assistants, bilingual attendance specialists, youth counselors, and hourly staff in the Business, HR, and IT departments.
- Staff who are part of the Marshalltown Education Association (MEA), including teachers, school counselors, librarians, school nurses and special resource personnel.
No action was taken on the employee handbook and appendices on Monday, and an approval vote is scheduled to take place at a future meeting.
MEA Supplemental Pay schedule, MOA approved – watch recording
The board approved the 2022-23 MEA Supplemental Pay Schedule, as well as a memorandum of agreement regarding Career and Technical Education (CTE) instructors with a limited teaching authorization on the current salary schedule.
Security camera purchase gains approval – watch recording
A set of 10 AVA security cameras will be installed at Miller Middle School after board action on Monday.
The new cameras can record to the cloud or to a cloud-hybrid system. Secure and Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) funds will be used for the camera purchase.
Summer projects set to move forward – watch recording
Director of Buildings and Grounds Todd Goulding gained board approval to move forward with planned summer projects on Monday. The projects will take place across the District and will include renovations, replacements, and upgrades both inside of buildings and on outdoor school grounds.
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 –
- 415.1 Drug and Alcohol Testing Program (amended, second reading waived)
- 415.1-E1 Drug and Alcohol Testing Program Notice to Employees (amended, second reading waived)
- New Exhibit 403.6-E3 Drug and Alcohol Program and Pre-Employment Testing Written Consent Information (adopted, second reading waived)
Initial Review –
- 415.3 Relations to Pupils and Public (deleted)
- 415.5 Classified Substitutes (deleted)
- 200.3 Responsibilities of the Board of Directors (will come back for a first reading)
The next Marshalltown School Board meeting is set for 5 p.m. on Monday, June 20, 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.
The Board Report 