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.

Preliminary certified enrollment summary brings positive news – watch recording
Preliminary certified enrollment numbers for the 2022-23 school year were presented at the Monday, Oct. 17 Marshalltown School Board meeting, and the data showed a significant increase in certified enrollment, equal to 87.4 students.

“We have an increase from the previous two years of both served students, as well as certified enrollment,” said Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte.

The preliminary summary showed increased enrollment among both resident students and students open enrolling into MCSD from other districts.

In Iowa, school districts’ certified enrollment plays an important role in determining their spending authority. The increase in certified enrollment, as indicated in this year’s preliminary data, is good news for MCSD’s continued financial health and strength. For full details from Monday’s presentation, check out the “watch recording” link above!

Board hears update on planned Pickleball Court repair – watch recording
Plans are moving forward to repair and replace a damaged portion of the wall on the north side of the Marshalltown Tennis Complex’s Pickleball Court area. Garling Construction Owner Doug DeMeulenaere discussed the details of those repair plans with the board on Monday evening.

The portion of wall in question experienced a partial collapse last spring. DeMeulenaere said the work will include not only repairing/replacing the damaged portion of the north wall, but also inspecting the remaining walls and installing quality replacements, where necessary.

DeMeulenaere also said the District will not be charged for the work. He said the scope of necessary repairs is being determined in the next few weeks, and work will commence as soon as possible. See the link above for the full discussion.

Hoglan Elementary presentation – watch recording
Hoglan Elementary Principal Amy Williams was joined by English Learner teacher Heather Stanley, Instructional Coach Mallory Kern, and Preschool teacher Molly Tafta for a presentation on the school’s programs on Monday.

The presentation featured video clips from Hoglan Transitional Kindergarten (TK) teacher Deshonna Garth’s classroom, each showing the strong emphasis placed on social-emotional learning (SEL) within Hoglan’s TK programming. The school’s new Frog Street curriculum and Bobcat Buddies program were also discussed.

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

Voluntary Early Retirement incentive not to be offered for the current school year – watch recording
The District will not offer the Voluntary Early Retirement incentive for the current school year after board action on Monday. Dr. Schutte said the recommendation came as a result of the District’s strong overall financial health, as well as the importance of retaining experienced staff members.

National School Bus Safety Week & National School Lunch Week highlighted – watch recording
The school board recognized National School Bus Safety Week, which runs through this Friday, Oct. 21. There are many ways for community members to help make students’ bus rides to and from school as safe as possible – find full info here!

Also highlighted was National School Lunch Week, celebrated Oct. 10-14. School meals are being served free of charge for all Bobcat students this year, and those meals act as fuel for learning.

Thank you to our incredible Transportation and Food Service staff for the key roles you play in supporting students’ academic success!

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 – 

• 501.14-R Open Enrollment – Sending District Regulation (marked as reviewed)
• 501.15-R Open Enrollment – Receiving District Regulation (will come back for a first reading)
• 501.16 Homeless Children and Youth (marked as reviewed)

The next Marshalltown School Board meeting is set for 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7, 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.

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.

Two MHS Heritage Spanish students’ articles featured in university newspaper – watch recording
The board recognized MHS Heritage Spanish students Natalie Andrade and Alexia Garcia on Tuesday evening. Both students authored Spanish-language articles which were selected for publication in the University of Northern Iowa’s student newspaper, the Northern Iowan. Andrade’s article – titled “Entre dos mundos” (“Between two worlds”) – has already been published. Garcia’s article was recently selected for publication and will appear in an upcoming edition.

MHS Heritage Spanish teacher Kristin Stuchis said Andrade and Garcia were excited for the opportunity to share their experiences through their articles. Both students said their biliteracy skills have grown thanks to their advanced Spanish education at MHS.

Important step taken toward proposed MHS Stadium complex project – watch recording
The Marshalltown School Board approved the use of SAVE state sales tax revenue for a proposed project to upgrade the Marshalltown High School Stadium complex at the Tuesday, Oct. 4 regular meeting.

FEH Design President and architect Kevin Eipperle shared an overview of the proposed work, including converting Leonard Cole Field to a turf surface, as well as widening the field. Upgrades to stadium bleachers, the press box, scoreboard, and entryway were also among the proposed improvements.

James Christensen – a District parent and Spanish teacher, Head Boys Tennis Coach, and Assistant Football Coach at MHS – voiced his support for the upgrades at the public hearing on the use of SAVE funds for the project. He said the entire complex is important not only for Bobcat student-athletes’ use, but for the “community as a whole.”

Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte said the information shared on Tuesday was preliminary, and there are still key steps to take before work is able to begin. 

The SAVE funds are not intended to be used for the separate, proposed Tornado-Safe Team Room facility project. Instead, that facility work would be covered by a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant, if the grant is approved.

Newbold applauded for service to MCSD ahead of departure – watch recording
Dr. Schutte presented the Superintendent’s Star Award to Paulette Newbold, who will be departing from the District this month. He commended Newbold’s leadership and dedication in her role as Director of Business Operations over the past several years.

Newbold will continue to serve as a school finance leader in Boone. Meanwhile, former MCSD Business Manager Randy Denham is set to take the helm as Director of Business Operations.

National Principals Month celebrated – watch recording
October is National Principals Month, and the school board recognized the crucial role principals and school building administrators play in Bobcat students’ academic success.

“National Principals Month provides us with the opportunity to take the time to thank all of our principals for the important work that they do,” Dr. Schutte said. “All of our principals are in it for the right reasons.”

FY22 Financial Summary shows District is in good financial health – watch recording
Newbold also shared a District year-end financial summary for Fiscal Year 2022 on Tuesday evening. One key takeaway was that the District’s solvency ratio – a key metric for financial health – increased from 13.8% in FY 2021 to 20% in FY 2022.

Newbold said the increased solvency ratio from FY 2022 is, in part, a result of unique circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She said the District has also taken intentional steps to increase the solvency ratio in recent years.

Bobcat Boys Golf team commended for bringing home inaugural conference title – watch recording
The MHS Bobcat Boys Golf team took home the first-ever Iowa Alliance North Conference title this season, and their performance was highlighted at Tuesday’s board meeting.

Head Coach Lucas Johnson and Bobcat First Team All-Conference golfers Ryan Schmit, Tyler Faltys, and Cael Sandvick spoke about their successful 2022 season. In addition to his second-place individual finish at the conference tournament, Schmit has qualified for the state tournament this weekend at Elmcrest Country Club. 

“We’re fortunate to have a really good crew of kids who continue to work hard and continue to push the boundaries of what golf can be,” Johnson said.

School custodians’ important work highlighted – watch recording
Sunday, Oct. 2 was National Custodians Day, and the District’s excellent custodial team was recognized for the important work they do on behalf of Bobcat students.School custodians play a key role in providing great environments for learning, from classrooms and activity areas to cafeterias and hallways. Thank you for your important work!

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 Tuesday evening.

Special education deficit significantly lower this year – watch recording
The District will seek authority from the School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) for allowable growth and supplemental aid to address a negative balance in special education funding after board action on Tuesday.

Newbold said this year’s special education deficit is significantly lower than in previous years.

“[The special education deficit] is about half of what it usually is,” Newbold said, adding that this year’s lower staffing levels and increased state supplemental aid are the main reasons for the lower deficit.

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 Tuesday, click here.

Policies:
First Reading – 

• 501.9 – Student Absences-Excused (approved, second reading waived)

Initial Review – 

• 501.10 Truancy-Unexcused Absences (marked as reviewed)
• 501.12 Pregnant Students (marked as reviewed)
• 501.13 Students of Legal Age (marked as reviewed)

The next Marshalltown School Board meeting is set for 5 p.m. on Monday, October 17, 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.