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.

Community mental health & counseling partners recognized for school community support – watch recording
The Monday, Nov. 21 Marshalltown School Board meeting featured a recognition of the District’s many valuable community mental health and counseling partner organizations, each of whom responded swiftly to school community needs after the accident that took four students’ lives earlier this month. Monday’s recognition included: 

• YSS of Marshall County Director of Community Engagement David Hicks & MPACT Community Advocate Autumn Drewelow
• Central Rivers Area Education Agency Regional Administrator Amy Thoms-Starr
• Center Associates Executive Director Paul Daniel and Social Worker Nick Calzada
• The Strengthening Center Owner/Executive Director Lani Maassen
• Wild Spirit Counseling Therapist/Counselor Misty Smith and Office Manager Marney Medhaug
• Mosaic Church Lead Pastor Steve Bensema
• Grace C. Mae Advocate Center Service Area Manager Dawn Lammert and Counselor Jamie Rich
• The District would also like to thank Father Alan Dietzenbach of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish

Director of Special Services Matt Cretsinger said the group has supported the District through several other challenging events in recent years.

“The people standing behind me have responded immediately to any phone call of support and need, so I think it’s important to say ‘thank you’ to them for being there when we need them most,” he said.

Heitmann, Faltys to continue in leadership roles after annual board elections  – watch recording
School Board President Sean Heitmann and Vice President Sara Faltys were re-elected to their leadership positions for 2022-23 at Monday’s annual/organizational meeting. Additionally, the board confirmed Director of Business Operations Randy Denham as the board secretary, and approved Ahlers & Cooney, PC as legal counsel. Also approved was the treasurer’s annual settlement.

Board, superintendent recognized for earning IASB Annual Conference awards – watch recording
All seven members of the Marshalltown CSD Board of Education, as well as Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte, were recognized after earning major plaudits at the 2022 Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) Annual Conference.

Each board member – President Sean Heitmann, Vice President Sara Faltys, Karina Hernandez, Bonnie Lowry, Jan McGinnis, Leah Stanley and Zach Wahl – earned an IASB Individual Achievement Award for their dedication to their own professional learning through a combination of participating in formal in-service programs, board service, and experience. The board was also one of only 15 statewide to earn a 2022 IASB Team Achievement Award. Additionally, Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte was one of just 17 superintendents and chief administrators statewide who qualified for the 2021-22 Award of Honor in the Annual Board Awards program. See more details here!

State lawmakers hear District legislative priorities ahead of session – watch recording
State Sen. Jeff Edler and State Rep. Sue Cahill discussed the District’s legislative priorities for the 2023 Iowa Legislative Session with the board on Monday evening.

Teen Outreach Program (TOP) highlighted – watch recording
Since 2012, the Marshalltown CSD has partnered with Mid-Iowa Community Action (MICA) to support educational success, healthy behaviors and relationships, and life and leadership skills through the Teen Outreach Program (TOP) and Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP).

Program facilitators Steve Sodders and Jon Rottink, as well as coordinator Jana Larsen, of MICA, presented on both programs at Monday’s meeting. 

TOP promotes the positive development of adolescents through an engaging curriculum and community service learning projects. PREP focuses on helping students develop key life skills, as well as educating them on both abstinence and contraception for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The programs receive state/federal approval and funding, provide evidence-based curriculum, and are supported by independent research reviews.

The programs are offered as electives at Lenihan Intermediate School and Miller Middle School. See the presentation at the link above for more info!

K-12 art curriculum update presented – watch recording
Mentor Program and Specialist Areas Curriculum & Professional Development Leader (CDPL) Julie Thede shared an update on the District’s K-12 art curriculum on Monday.

Since being implemented last school year, the Flex Curriculum Suite has provided consistent, rigorous, and high-quality art education to Bobcat students across grade levels, as well as enhanced professional development tools for art teachers.

Franklin Elementary and Rogers Elementary art teacher Nancy Cross joined Thede for the presentation. She said the platform offers engaging, refreshing options for teaching art while maintaining curricular standards.

Student School Board Representatives’ report – watch recording
Student School Board Representatives Natalie Andrade and Abraham Madrigal Farias shared an update on student activities and events on Monday evening. Along with updates from MHS, the students gave their positive feedback from last week’s IASB Annual Conference, and specifically praised the event’s keynote speaker, Dr. Adolph Brown.

10-year lease agreement approved for Arnold’s Park – watch recording
The board approved a 10-year agreement to lease Arnold Park to the City of Marshalltown after a public hearing on the matter was held on Monday evening. No public comments were shared at that public hearing. 

Arnold Park is located at 107 S. 7th Street, and has been leased to the City by the District for several decades.

Board hears Marshalltown Virtual Academy update – watch recording
Marshalltown Virtual Academy (MVA) Principal Eric Goslinga gave an update as the virtual school continues in its second year. He gave an overview of the MVA’s enrollment, graduation data, dual-credit classes, student achievement data, and the tools used to provide a quality online education.

School Budget Review Committee request submissions move forward – watch recording
Four requests for modified allowable growth in supplemental aid will be submitted to the state School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) after board approval on Monday. The requests include:

• Modified allowable growth due to a higher certified student enrollment count for the current school year compared to last school year.
• Modified allowable growth regarding open enrollment out of the District which was not part of the fall 2021 enrollment count. 
• Modified allowable growth to support English language learner (ELL) programming beyond five years.
• Modified allowable growth for special education administration costs associated with the River Hills Consortium program for the 2023-24 school year.

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:
Initial Review – 

• 401.14 Employee Expression (amended, second reading waived)
• 402.2 Child Abuse Reporting (amended, second reading waived)
• 408.1 Licensed Employee Professional Development (amended, second reading waived)
• 502.2 Care of School Property-Vandalism (adopted, second reading waived)
• 601.2 School Day (amended, second reading waived)
• 602.1 Curriculum Development (amended, second reading waived)
• 602.2 Curriculum Implementation (amended, second reading waived)
• 602.3 Curriculum Evaluation (amended, second reading waived)
• 605.1 Instructional Materials Selection (amended, second reading waived)
• 605.1-R1 Selection of Instructional Materials (amended, second reading waived)
• 605.2 Instructional Materials Inspection (amended, second reading waived)
• 605.3 Objection to Instructional Materials (amended, second reading waived)
• 605.3-R1 Objection to Instructional and Library Materials – Reconsideration of Instructional Materials Regulation (adopted, second reading waived)
• 605.3-E1 Instructions to the Reconsideration Committee (amended, second reading waived)
• 605.3-E2 Reconsideration of Instructional Materials (amended, second reading waived) 
• 605.3-E4 Request to Prohibit a Student from Checking Out Specific Library Materials (adopted, second reading waived)
• 605.4 Technology and Instructional Materials (amended, second reading waived)
• 605.5 School Library/Media Centers (amended, second reading waived)
• 802.4 Capital Assets (amended, second reading waived)

First Reading – 

• 502.4 Student Complaints and Grievances (marked as reviewed)
• 502.5 Student Lockers (marked as reviewed)
• 502.6 Weapons (will come back for a first reading)
• 507.5 Emergency Plans and Drills (will come back for a first reading)
• 804.2 District Emergency Operations Plans (will come back for a first reading)
• 804.2-R Warning Systems and Emergency Plans (marked as reviewed)

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

Moment of silence held in honor of four students lost on Friday, Nov. 4 – watch recording
The Monday, Nov. 7 Marshalltown School Board meeting started with a 2-minute moment of silence in honor of four students – siblings Linette and Yanitza Lopez, and siblings Adrian and Isacc Lara Mendoza – whose lives were lost in a vehicular accident on Friday, Nov. 4.

As the students’ families, friends, and the entire school community continue to process these losses, the Marshalltown CSD and several partner organizations will continue providing grief counseling services to students this week at Miller Middle School and Marshalltown High School. Additionally, District staff members have access to same-day grief counseling appointments through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Step taken toward establishing Marshalltown FFA Chapter – watch recording
A Marshalltown Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter is one step closer to being a reality after board action at Monday’s meeting.

MHS agriculture and biology teacher Tara Leytham – as well as junior students Lydia Colwell and Isabella Storjohann – presented on the benefits of creating a Marshalltown FFA chapter. They discussed the organization’s focus on leadership, community, and agriculture. With the board’s approval, the group will submit a request to the Iowa Future Farmers Association for the creation of the Marshalltown FFA.

MHS student’s Spanish-language article published in Hola America News – watch recording
MHS junior Vania Madrigal Ibarra was recognized by the board after her article, “Tomando Control de Nuestro Legado” (“Taking control of our heritage”) was published in both Spanish and English in Hola America News.

Madrigal Ibarra said she wants to be a positive representative of the Marshalltown Community, and a central focus of her article was building up youth leadership. The article demonstrates not only her commitment to youth leadership, but also to developing her biliteracy skills.

Vision shared for future MCSD Welcome Center – watch recording
Director of Instruction Shauna Smith and English Learner & Migrant Coordinator Rachel Inks shared the District’s vision for the upcoming Welcome Center facility at Monday’s meeting.

Plans for the new Welcome Center have been in development for several months. Smith and Inks described the future facility as “A school and community hub within the Orpheum specializing in whole-student and whole-family registration and intake.” 

The Welcome Center’s purpose, proposed staffing, footprint, and service goals were all major points of discussion. The Orpheum Theater facility, which will house the Welcome Center, is set to officially come into the District’s possession in January 2023. The new Welcome Center is anticipated to open in July of 2023.

For more details on the District’s exciting plans for the new Welcome Center, click “watch recording” above.

Proceeds from Bobcat Burger sales donated to MHS Activities Department – watch recording
MHS Activities Director Ryan Isgrig accepted a generous donation from local Legends American Grill Manager Brady Ridout on Monday. The donation of more than $1,200 was raised through sales of the restaurant’s signature Bobcat Burger. For each Bobcat Burger purchased, $1 was added to the donation funds.

Marshalltown Youth Foundation makes positive impact – watch recording
Marshalltown Youth Foundation Board President Terry Gray and board member Andrew Potter shared information about their organization’s positive impact on the lives of qualifying District families.

Gray said the Foundation takes two main approaches in supporting community youth – the first is by helping cover community sports/activity registration fees, and the second is by providing a musical instrument lending library.

Early notification incentive approved – watch recording
The District will continue to offer an Early Notification employee incentive for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The goal of the incentive is to post the positions of those who have already made the decision to leave as early as possible, allowing more time to ensure highly-qualified applicants are hired earlier in the year than normal. 

Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte said the incentive proved useful after it was first introduced last year, with high-quality hires made in the vast majority of cases where the incentive was invoked. He said the incentive is intended only as a short-term tool at a time when many employers are challenged to fill available positions.

Staff highlighted in celebration of upcoming American Education Week, Veterans Day – watch recording
Fifteen military veteran District employees were honored and thanked for their service at Monday’s board meeting. Veterans Day is on Friday, Nov. 11, and thank you cards will be delivered to staff members who served.Also highlighted was American Education Week, a celebration of the many school staff who provide students with a quality public education. This year, American Education Week runs Nov. 13-19.

Denham appointed as new Board Secretary – watch recording
Randy Denham returned to the Marshalltown CSD in October, taking up the role of Director of Business Operations. As part of his new role, Denham was officially sworn in as the new Marshalltown School Board Secretary on Monday evening. Both positions were previously held by Paulette Newbold, who departed after several years of excellent service to the District.

We are excited to welcome Mr. Denham back to Marshalltown!

Public hearing set on lease of Arnold’s Park – watch recording
The board set a public hearing for 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21, regarding the proposed lease of Arnold’s Park to the City of Marshalltown.

Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte said the District has leased Arnold’s Park to the City of Marshalltown since 1954, and it is necessary to renew that long-standing lease agreement with the City. Arnold’s Park, a former school site and current neighborhood park, is located off of South 7th Street, between Church and Linn streets.

Board approves seeking bids for installation of vape detectors – watch recording
Bids will be sought on a project to install vape detectors throughout the District’s secondary-level school buildings after board action on Monday. Dr. Schutte said the move is intended to deter vaping at school.

MHS Band trip to Disney World approved – watch recording
MHS Band students will travel down to Disney World in Orlando, Florida, next spring after the board approved an out-of-state travel request at Monday’s meeting.

MHS Band Director Brett Umthun said valuable learning opportunities on the trip will include the Soundtrack Session Instrumental Workshop, the Disney Dancing Workshop, and the large-scale Marching Band Parade at the Magic Kingdom. He said the previous trip to Disney World, taken in 2020, proved very valuable for students.

Architect agreement for MHS Athletic Campus approved – watch recording
Another important step was taken toward a proposed project to upgrade the MHS Stadium complex on Monday evening. The board approved an agreement for architectural and engineering services with multiple firms, including FEH Design, KCL Engineering, and the Marshalltown-based Clapsaddle-Garber Associates.

“Essentially, it’s the same team we’ve been working with on the last couple of large projects,” Dr. Schutte said.

He also said the District is awaiting notification from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding a grant to fund the separate, proposed Tornado Safe Team Room project; he shared hopes that such notification arrives prior to Winter Break.

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.

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:
Initial Review – 

• 501.15-R Open Enrollment-Receiving District Regulation (amended, second reading waived)

First Reading – 

• 502.1 Student Appearance (mark as reviewed)
• 502.3 Student Expression and Student Publications (mark as reviewed)
• 502.3-R1 Student Expression and Student Publications Code (mark as reviewed)
• 502.2 Care of School Property-Vandalism (will come back for a first reading)
• 401.14 Employee Expression (will come back for a first reading)
• 402.2 Child Abuse Reporting (will come back for a first reading)
• 408.1 Licensed Employee Professional Development (will come back for a first reading)
• 601.2 School Day (will come back for a first reading)
• 602.1 Curriculum Development (will come back for a first reading)
• 602.2 Curriculum Implementation (will come back for a first reading)
• 602.3 Curriculum Evaluation (will come back for a first reading)
• 605.1 Instructional Materials Selection (will come back for a first reading)
• 605.1-R1 Selection of Instructional Materials (will come back for a first reading)
• 605.2 Instructional Materials Inspection (will come back for a first reading)
• 605.3 Objection to Instructional Materials (will come back for a first reading)
• 605.3-R1 Objection to Instructional and Library Materials – Reconsideration of Instructional Materials Regulation (will come back for a first reading)
• 605.3-E1 Instructions to the Reconsideration Committee (will come back for a first reading)
• 605.3-E2 Reconsideration of Instructional Materials (will come back for a first reading)
• 605.3-E4 Request to Prohibit a Student from Checking Out Specific Library Materials (will come back for a first reading)
• 605.4 Technology and Instructional Materials (will come back for a first reading)
• 605.5 School Library/Media Centers (will come back for a first reading)
• 802.4 Capital Assets (will come back for a first reading)

The next Marshalltown School Board meeting is set for 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21, 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.