The Board Report

Proposed MHS Stadium project presented, public hearing set for Oct. 4 – watch recording
Exciting proposed upgrades at the Marshalltown High School Stadium complex were presented at the Monday, Sept. 19 Marshalltown School Board meeting. 

Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte outlined two major portions of proposed work:

• Construction of a Tornado-Safe Team Room through a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant: If approved, the grant would cover all eligible costs related to installing that facility. In addition to providing a safe location for players and spectators during inclement weather, the Tornado-Safe Team Room would provide improved athletic facilities, including locker room space. 
• MHS Stadium complex upgrades using SAVE state sales tax revenue: Proposed work includes widening the athletic field and converting its surface from natural grass to turf. Additional proposed areas to be upgraded include the stadium’s bleachers, press box area, and scoreboard, as well as the lighting, sound, and digital timing systems.
  The board set a public hearing on the use of SAVE funds for the proposed project for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4 at the Central Administration Office, 1002 S. 3rd Ave.

Longtime Auditorium Manager’s service recognized – watch recording
Al Paxson is stepping down from his position as Marshalltown Performing Arts Center Auditorium Manager after 27 years, and his exceptional service was recognized with a Superintendent’s Star Award on Monday evening.

Dr. Schutte said Paxson played a pivotal role during his long tenure at the Auditorium, including overseeing numerous successful fine arts events.

MHS student-teacher team share highlights from National History Day Summer Institute – watch recording
MHS Extended Learning Program (XLP) teacher Susan Fritzell and senior student Leticia Herrera shared their experiences from this year’s National History Day Summer Institute. As part of the Summer Institute program, the duo researched local World War II veteran Eugene Stegmann and visited Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

Fritzell and Herrera were one of 15 student-teacher pairs nationwide to be chosen for the program. They were commended by the board for their selection to and participation in the NHD Summer Institute.

Certified staff lane changes gain board approval – watch recording
Dozens of MCSD certified staff were rewarded for their commitment to furthering their education at Monday’s board meeting.

The board approved lane changes for 42 certified staff members, each of whom dedicated time and resources to earning additional graduate-level credits or a full graduate-level degree. Those staff members will earn higher pay as a result of their continuing education.

Student School Board Representatives’ report – watch recording
Student School Board Representatives Yessenia Alvarez Zamora, Natalie Andrade, Jaxson Eisenbarth and Abraham Madrigal Farias shared an update on student activities and events on Monday evening.

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 on Monday, click here.

Policies:
First Reading – 

• 704.4 Gifts, Grants and Bequests (approved, second reading waived)

Initial Review – 

• 501.7 Student Transfers Out or Withdrawals (marked as reviewed)
• 501.8 Attendance Records (marked as reviewed)
• 501.9 Student Absences-Excused (will come back for a first reading)
• 501.9-E1 Request for Remote Learning Form (marked as reviewed)

The next Marshalltown School Board meeting is set for 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 (rescheduled from original date of Monday, Oct. 3) at the Central Administration Office, 1002 S. 3rd Ave. The meeting will be available to watch via live stream through the MCSD website, Facebook, and Twitter pages.

Virtual reality education platform, interactive playground gain board approval  –
The Marshalltown School Board approved the purchase of two exciting, cutting-edge digital learning platforms at the Tuesday, Sept. 6 regular meeting.

• PRISMS, a cutting-edge virtual reality education platform, will supplement Marshalltown High School students’ math education. The platform includes VR headsets, which will allow students to interact with the mathematical concepts they are learning about in their real-world classroom.
  “What I really liked about [PRISMS] was the fact that it was laser-focused on using the application to supplement math curriculum and, eventually, science curriculum,” said Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte.”
  MHS Principal Jacque Wyant and math teacher Angela Pierce said they had positive, engaging experiences while testing the PRISMS platform. The high school and Miller Middle School will each receive one set of PRISMS VR headsets. (Watch recording)

• Also purchased on Tuesday was the state-of-the-art Lu multimedia projection system, which is set to be implemented at the Lenihan Intermediate School gym later this fall.
  Using a dual projector system, the LU platform will allow students to play interactive, educational games during P.E. class. The platform offers other curriculum-related activities, which could allow Lenihan’s P.E. teachers and teachers of other subjects to collaborate in exciting new ways. (Watch recording)

• Federal COVID learning loss funds will be used for both of these purchases.

Coaching staff approved for new MHS Esports & Girls Wrestling programs – watch recording
The board approved stipends for two new coaching positions at Tuesday’s meeting. One will take the helm as the Esports Coach, and the other will lead as Girls Wrestling Assistant Coach.

Both of these exciting programs are brand new for the 2022-23 school year.

New Student School Board Representatives introduced – watch recording
New Student School Board Representatives Yessenia Alvarez Zamora, Natalie Andrade, Jaxson Eisenbarth and Abraham Madrigal Farias introduced themselves to the school board at Tuesday’s meeting. 

The student leaders will share regular updates with the board throughout the 2022-23 school year.

Miller XLP teacher recognized for selection to Society for Science Advocate Program – watch recording
The board recognized Miller Middle School Extended Learning Program (XLP) teacher Ann Jackson on Tuesday. Jackson was one of 84 teachers nationwide to be selected to the Society for Science Advocate Program.

“I wanted to increase my skills and be a better advocate for all students, and especially those who are underrepresented,” she said, adding the Society for Science is providing training and resources to aid her advocacy efforts.

Increased substitute teacher pay gains board approval – watch recording
An increase in daily substitute teacher pay – from $130 to $140 – gained board approval Tuesday evening. In addition to the increase in base pay, substitute teachers will be able to earn an even higher pay rate – $160 per day – for substituting for 50 or more days in any one school year.

Learn more about this and MCSD’s other exciting incentives here!

Details shared on MCSD Mentor Program – watch recording
Director of Instruction Shauna Smith and Mentor Program Curriculum & Professional Development Leader Julie Thede presented on the District’s Mentor Program for new certified staff.

Thede said the purpose of the Mentor Program is to ensure new teachers have as successful an entry into the education profession as possible. The program focuses on providing a welcoming climate, encouraging collaboration, and improving through self-analysis and reflection.

2022-2023 board and superintendent goals approved – watch recording
The 2022-23 Superintendent and Marshalltown School Board goals were approved on Tuesday, each with three areas of focus. See the full goals document here.

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 on Monday, click here.

Policies:
First Reading – 

• 501.15 Open Enrollment Transfers-Procedures as a Receiving District (approved, second reading waived) 

Initial Review – 

• 501.4 Entrance – Admissions (marked as reviewed)
• 501.5 Attendance Center and Program Assignment (marked as reviewed)
• 501.6 Student Transfers In (marked as reviewed)
• 704.4 Gifts, Grants, and Bequests (will come back for a first reading)

The next Marshalltown School Board meeting is set for 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022 at the Central Administration Office, 1002 S. 3rd Ave. The meeting will be available to watch via live stream through the MCSD website, Facebook, and Twitter pages.