The Board Report

View PDF version here.

College credit opportunities expanding

Students have more opportunities to earn college credit while at Marshalltown High School and the ways students can achieve those credits are expanding, according to a report the Board received Monday night.

Dr. Susan Pecinovsky, associate superintendent for student achievement, reported on college coursework as part of objective two in the District Strategic Action Plan: Increase readiness for further education and employment.

In 2011-2012 31.87 percent of MHS students took college coursework. That number serves as a baseline, with the district looking to increase that number each year.

MHS students have four ways to earn college credit:

Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) allows juniors, seniors, or students in the Extended Learning Program to enroll in college courses at Marshalltown Community College, earning college credit and high school credit. Students can earn a maximum 11 credits per semester.

Shared Credit Courses are taught at MHS (sometimes at MCC) by qualified instructors and also provide dual credit.

Career Academies allow juniors and seniors to enroll in college courses in a vocational field, earning college and high school credit.

Advanced Placement courses are designed for students who have demonstrated competence by achieving a high level in college preparatory courses. Students earn high school credit and can receive college credit by passing an AP test after completing the course.

MHS offers seven AP courses, including two new courses this year in the English department.

“It allows students to perhaps access more than they could have a year ago,” Pecinovsky said.

Pecinovsky said the district is working to increase options for college credit, including coursework linked to Project Lead The Way.
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Dates amended in 2012-2013 early retirement policies

The Board approved amending the early retirement policies for 2012-2013 to extend the deadline for notification and the date to qualify.

The eligibility requirements now read that an employee must turn 55 prior to Aug. 14, 2013. Previously the date had been set at July 1. Iowa Code only says the date has to be after July 1, but before the start of the next school year, so the changed date will allow people who turn 55 during that period to potentially qualify. Each year when the policy is reviewed a new date will be chosen according to when the veteran teaching staff members are scheduled to return for that school year.

The date for notifying the district about early retirement was moved to Jan. 4, 2013.
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District plans for site visit

The Department of Education will visit Marshalltown Schools for a site visit Jan. 15-17, 2013.

Site visits occur every five years and look at compliance, as well as assessing continuous improvement. The results of the site visit will be a list of strengths and a list of recommendations for improvement. If something is found out of compliance the DE will provide guidance on how to fix it.

“We look forward to having another set of eyes look at what we’re doing,” said Dr. Susan Pecinovksy, associate superintendent for student achievement.
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NOTES FROM THE BOARD

By Sherm Welker, Board President

This evening we accepted the completed version of the facilities improvement plan for 2013-2017. The current schedule calls for the start of the plan with work on several projects this summer.

•  The first phase of the Roundhouse with renovations to the locker rooms, main gym area, roofing, electrical, heating and cooling upgrades, and the addition of a fire sprinkler system.
• MHS will also have upgrades to the electrical services to most of the building.
• Support Services will  see the next phase of renovation on the upper two floors for District Administration offices.
• Miller Middle School will have renovations to the 1957 classroom addition to upgrade the finishes, doors, and new ceilings with lighting. The heating system will be replaced and cooling added throughout this wing.

The board worked on numerous policies during our meeting as we had fallen behind schedule with other pressing business of the district. One of the main functions of the board is to keep our policies and practices current with regulations and standards. Some policies can be reviewed and passed without revision, but others require changes. We rely on policy from the Iowa Association of School Boards and the Iowa Department of Education when we are creating new standards and modifying policy.

Last week was the annual IASB (Iowa Association of School Boards) meeting in Des Moines with conferences and training sessions. Your board team and administrative staff attended many of the events and came back with knowledge and information on new practices.

Many thanks to the staff and to the school board members for the increased time commitment this fall. We have added work sessions for planning that are needed to prepare the way for change and improvement.
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NOTES FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

By Dr. Marvin Wade, Superintendent of Schools

During its Nov.19, 2012, meeting, the Board approved changes to the Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program for Licensed Teaching Staff, Twelve-Month Secretaries, and Administrators (Policies 314.1, 407.7 and 413.7, respectively). All three programs have been discontinued for the 2013-2014 school year as one of several measures being taken to offset the loss of funds created by declining enrollment.

The Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program remains in effect for all three employee groups for the 2012-2013 school year – with two important date changes approved by the Board:

1.  To be eligible, an employee, prior to Aug. 14, 2013, must have attained at least 55 years of age and must have been employed by the District for at least 15 years. This eligibility date was changed from July 1, 2013 to Aug. 14, 2013, at the Nov. 19, 2012, board meeting.
2.  Eligible employees have until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, to notify the District of their intent to take voluntary retirement at the end of this school year. This notification of intent date was changed from Dec. 1, 2012, to Jan. 4, 2013, at the Nov. 19, 2012, board meeting.

Licensed Teaching Staff, Twelve-Month Secretaries, and Administrators contemplating early retirement are encouraged to closely examine the applicable Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program policy. These policies may be found on the District website by going to http://www.marshalltown.k12.ia.us, clicking on the “School Board” tab, and then clicking on the links under the heading “Board Policy.”
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POLICY

First Reading
413.7 12-Month Secretary Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program/314.1 Admin Voluntary Retirement/407.6 Licensed Teaching Staff, change notification date to Jan. 4, 2013, and eligibility requirements to being 55 prior to Aug. 14, 2013.
206.1 New Board Member Orientation, approve as amended, waive second reading.
504.11 Wellness, changes due to Federal guidelines, approve as amended, waive second reading

Initial Review
300 Statement of Guiding Principles for Administration, mark reviewed
301.1 Superintendent of Schools – Qualifications and Recruitment, minor grammatical changes, add “military service” after the word veteran so it is clarified, bring back for second reading
301.2 Superintendent of Schools – Contract and Contract Non-Renewal, bring back for second reading
301.3 Superintendent of Schools – Functions, replace “e” with portions of IASB policy, change “r” to reflect organizational chart, strike sentence referencing finance committee (second L), bring back for second reading,
301.4/E/R Evaluation of the Superintendent, John Johnson and Anne Paullus will work on aligning the policy closer to the Iowa guidelines adopted in 2008
302.1 Associates to the Superintendent – Positions, 302.2 Associates to the Superintendent – Qualifications, 302.3 Associates to the Superintendent – Appointment, bring back for first reading.
302.4 Associates to the Superintendent – Functions, mark reviewed
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PERSONNEL – Click here.

View PDF Version.

Youth Institute attendees share their experiences

Marshalltown High School students Emma Runquist and Abby Snyder told the Board about their experiences at the Global Youth Institute.

The students were among 150 students from around the world selected for the World Food Prize Foundation event held Oct. 18-20 in Des Moines. The institute brought together students from 25 states and six countries. Students presented papers on food shortage around the world – Runquist focusing on Jordan and Snyder focusing on Peru. Students presented their research and discussed findings with international experts and their peers in roundtable discussions. Student papers will be published in the Youth Institute Proceedings and made available online.

Runquist and Snyder were able to view the World Food Prize Laureate ceremony, join experts at Borlaug Dialogue (“a ‘davos-style’ dialogue which brings together over 600 international experts and policy leaders from 65 countries to address cutting-edge challenges in food security and international development”), participate in an Oxfam hunger banquet, tour the Des Moines waterworks plant and bag meals to send overseas.

Both students told the Board they are pursuing internship opportunities with the World Food Prize.
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Literacy work progresses with help from UNI Jacobson Center

Marshalltown Schools are enhancing their literacy instruction with the help of the University of Northern Iowa’s Jacobson Center.

So far the partnership has resulted in six teachers being trained in Reading Recovery, an intensive early literacy strategy taking place at all District elementary buildings. Three instructional coaches were also trained in the Comprehensive Literacy Model and will receive graduate-level credit and certification from UNI. An additional four instructional coaches will be trained next year.

“We are creating a systemic, rigorous, viable curriculum in the area of literacy,” said Dr. Susan Pecinovsky, associate superintendent for student achievement. Instructional coaches Elizabeth Overstake, Lora Kester, Melanie Knoll and Penny Duer told the Board about their work with the Jacobson Center and the Comprehensive Literacy Model during Monday’s meeting.

The Comprehensive Literacy Model has 10 key features, beginning with a framework for literacy. This uses a workshop approach to meet the needs of students, blending small group and independent work, conferencing, mini lessons and sharing to assist students with varying needs and skill levels.

The CLM utilizes coaching and mentoring to increase educator efficiency. Pilot classrooms are set up where teachers can view the literacy framework in action, collaborate with each other and learn from one another. All learning is tied to the high standards of the Common Core Standards and aligned with specific literacy benchmarks. A comprehensive assessment system – including data walls in every building – allow educators to see the “big picture” of learning in their buildings, as well as drill down to the details needed to help struggling students.

When students need that additional support system interventions like Reading Recovery and small-group interventions are delivered through additional instruction time and supplemental opportunities.

Through collaborative learning teams and a well-designed literacy plan, students can work together to achieve goals while educators guide them through clear, focused, rigorous curriculum aligned across the district.

“We’ll be able to guarantee that for children regardless of the building they’re in or the time of day it is,” Pecinovsky said.

The CLM also includes components focused on integrating technology into learning and highlighting the successes and achievements of students.

The cost of training and the work of the instructional coaches is paid for entirely by the Jacobson Center.
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NET High Academy offers path to high school diploma

The Board approved an agreement with NET High Academy that helps returning dropouts earn a Marshalltown High School diploma.

“These are students [for whom] who graduating in a four or five year window is no longer feasible for a variety of reasons,” said Dr. Susan Pecinovsky, associate superintendent for student achievement.

New to Iowa, NET High Academy offers online competency-based instruction. Students will be assessed using COMPASS and National Career Readiness Certification and will earn a diploma from MHS after completion. The Community Y will house the program, though it can be utilized anywhere online.

Waukee and Saydel schools districts are also offering this program.

“This is one of a continuum of services we have for our at-risk students,” Pecinovsky said.
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Early retirement program discontinued for 2013-2014

The Board voted 6-1 to discontinue the voluntary early retirement incentive for 2013-2014 for certified staff, 12-month secretaries and administrators.

Several educators addressed the Board on the subject, asking them to either continue the program next year or postpone a decision until sometime in 2013. Board members said they would review the policy every year and that the intention was not to remove the policy permanently.

The Board is considering amending the current policy to extend the deadline for taking early retirement in 2012-2013 to Jan. 4, 2013. The deadline was set at Dec. 1, 2012. The Board will discuss this at the Nov. 19 meeting.
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NOTES FROM THE BOARD

By Sherm Welker, Board President

Tonight’s meeting was held at the MHS Media Center (Library) to afford everyone interested a chance to hear and be heard on policy issues for next year. The board set aside the Early retirement plan for 2013-2014 in light of the General Fund budget projections. We anticipate that the allowable growth rate established by the state will affect our state funding this next year along with a decrease in enrollment. Funding of our programs from the federal level many be reduced as well. In the weeks and months ahead we will be tasked with solving the budget issues that are now standing ahead of us.

Industry has suffered with low volumes and profits for the last 3-5 years and now we may see some fallout into the public sector. We have dodged the proverbial bullet over the past several years with increased enrollment, state budget guarantees, and federal bailout backfills on funding. Only time will tell when the economy will strengthen and new money will be available but we have a good plan for the future and will continue to work for district wide improvements.

Our ability to offer opportunity for students is far superior to many other districts and I encourage our people to continue to focus on the positives. Improving the performance of our students and keeping our finances strong are difficult tasks but demonstrate our commitment to making a difference in our community.
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NOTES FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

By Dr. Marvin Wade, Superintendent of Schools

As employees reflect on the Board’s decision to discontinue the Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program for 2013-2014, I hope they’ll remember the Board is also in the process changing the deadline for informing the District of intent to participate in the Program at the end of this school year. Currently, eligible staff members have until Dec. 1, 2012 to notify the District of this intent – however, the Board requested this deadline be changed to Jan. 4, 2013. All indications are that the Board will approve this proposed change in policy when it is presented as a First Reading during the Nov. 19 board meeting.

The board meeting also included a report about MCSD’s partnership with the University of Northern Iowa’s Richard O. Jacobson Center for Comprehensive Literacy. Staff members trained in the Comprehensive Literacy Model (CLM) explained 10 features of the model and how it’s being implemented in the District.

There was also a presentation of the Comprehensive Intervention Model (CIM) that provides structured interventions for students who need extra assistance beyond the instruction provided in the classroom. Evidence about the effectiveness of CLM and CIM is impressive, so MCSD is fortunate to be one of the few districts in the state selected to partner with the Jacobson Center.

From a “big picture” perspective, these reports serve as excellent examples of how MCSD professionals are implementing effective practices consistent with priorities of the District – in this case, CLM and CIM are integrally aligned with Common Unit Design, Sheltered Instruction, and Response to Instruction and Intervention.
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Change orders approved for two projects

Change orders for Fisher Elementary and the Support Services building were approved Monday night.

The change orders at Fisher Elementary are the final changes orders for the project. The project closed with a total of $153,793 spent on change orders. A five percent contingency is built into the project budget and this total represented a 2.77 percent contingency. The amount approved Monday night was for $12,225.01.

Change orders on the Support Services project are at 3.09 percent with $49,599.00 approved Monday night.
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Click here for the personnel changes approved Nov. 5.

See PDF version here.

Students, teachers recognized by Iowa’s Belin-Blank center

Emma Alman and Cailyn Ernat, Marshalltown High School freshmen, were recognized Monday night for accolades received from the Belin-Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development.

Emma and Cailyn were among five then Miller Middle School students selected for Belin-Blank after being nominated and writing an essay. Emma participated in the drama program and Cailyn in the creative writing course. Both students were invited to attend a recognition ceremony Oct. 7 that recognized students who earned scores in the top 1 percent, were selected to one of the scholarship programs, or received special recognition in a program.

The students in turn recognized Miller teachers Nikole Hempy (nominated by Emma) and Mary Fitzgerald (nominated by Cailyn). Each student recognized at Belin-Blank was asked to nominate an educator who “has had a significant impact on that student and his/her educational achievements.”
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Board approves facilities plan

The Board approved updating the District Facilities Plan with prioritized projects totaling $17.3 million.

The projects include $10 million at Marshalltown High School (with $7.7 million for the Roundhouse renovation), $4 million at Miller Middle School, $2.2 million at the Support Services/Marshalltown Learning Academy/District Office, and $1.1 million for projects at Anson, Rogers and Woodbury Elementary schools.

Justin Sorensen from TSP told the Board the next steps is to create a binder like the previous facilities plan with more details of each project, projected costs, and possible time lines.

The Board will discuss the plan in more detail at a work session to be scheduled in the upcoming weeks.
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Tribute to Coach Bell
Marshalltown High School Principal Aiddy Phomvisay and members of the boys cross country team came to the Board meeting to pay tribute to their coach, Tim Bell, who announced he is retiring at the end of this season.

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Certified enrollment at 5,308 this year

The 2012-2013 certified enrollment is approximately 5,308 students according to a report by Lisa Koester, director of human resources and student issues.

Koester said there are still some final figures to calculate, as some districts have not completed uploading their information to the state website, but any adjustments would only be a few students either direction. This year’s enrollment is 11 less than 2011-2012, a year which saw a nearly 120-student increase.

Enrollment is up nearly 200 students since 2008-2009.
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Application to SBRC approved

The Board approved applying to the School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) for additional spending authority to cover the Special Education deficit.

The deficit, which is $534,200.82, is the cost to serve Special Education students on top of the funding received for those services. Since Special Education programming is Federally mandated and districts are funded at 40 percent of the cost of serving students, deficits like this are common.

Matt Cretsinger, director of special services, said the deficits at other 4A schools range from $700,000 to $2 million, while at 3A schools it’s $350,000 to $700,000.

“As a district – considering the Special Ed element of it – we’re doing very well,” he said.

Application to the SBRC will give the district the spending authority to cover these additional costs. Once authority is granted districts can, if they wish, levy additional cash reserves to cover the costs.
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District receives Gold Level Recognition for 2012 Student Reporting

Marshalltown Schools earned Gold Level Recognition for 2012 Student Reporting from the Iowa Department of Education for its timely enrollment information submission.

MCSD was one of 162 districts that had submitted valid data for every enrolled student in the district within two days of the official count day (Oct. 1, 2012).

Lisa Koester, director of human resources, recognized Sharon Baughman, administrative assistant to the associate superintendent; Keri Ashby, district registrar; and Ginger Jacobson, administrative assistant to the director of special services for their hard work that earned this recognition.
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Special Education bus purchased

The district is purchasing a 65-passenger 2013 International bus from Hoglund Bus Company for $77,288.

Special Services Director Matt Cretsinger told the Board there is an increased demand for specialized transportation and the bus at Hoglund is available for immediate purchase.
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Innovative Calendar application approved

The Board approved application for an Innovative Calendar Waiver Monday night.

The District was granted the waiver for 2012-2013 and is using the year to plan a pilot program at Rogers Elementary – examining the success of Rogers University and how it can be expanded.

Dr. Susan Pecinovsky, associate superintendent for student achievement, said similar pilots across the district are also still a possibility.
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District partners with Iowa Valley Continuing Education for summer school

Marshalltown Schools will partner with Iowa Valley Continuing Education for high school-level summer school programming in 2013.

“I think it opens up some opportunities for us,” said Dr. Susan Pecinovsky, associate superintendent for student achievement.

The program will utilize a blend of direct teacher interaction with the Iowa On-Line Learning coursework. Students will be able to come to the Education & Training Center to use computers, or can complete coursework from home. Students will be required to make daily contact with the site coordinator and attend the center 2-3 times a week.

Completion of the courses will result in Marshalltown High School course credit.

Iowa Valley will have a student/parent contract and a fee for courses, which increases the commitment and probability of course completion.
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NOTES FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD

By Sherm Welker, Board President

As the District Improvement Plan is developed and both schedules and scope at each project can be refined, the community will be asked to comment on how we should fund our improvements. We heard tonight in a presentation from Matt Gillaspie of Piper Jaffray in Des Moines that we have several options to weigh with respect to funding. As always, our Board will listen to the concerns of those we represent and work toward a responsible funding stream to address the need.

We look forward to public meetings concerning our PPEL levy renewal, and potential General Obligation bonding as may be appropriate. We ask for your attendance and advice to see that the funding of the District needs meet also with the public needs. Please review our plan and see the impact these changes will make in the quality we see and produce.

On a lighter note, we are always elevated by the achievement of our students. Tonight we saw two of five Miller Middle School students that were honored to attend the Belin-Blank Center at the University of Iowa. We thank them for their excellence and also our fine staff that have a significant impact on our students lives and dreams. This is what makes the effort to be a Board member worthwhile.
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NOTES FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

By Dr. Marvin Wade, Superintendent of Schools

It is common knowledge that board members attend many regular board meetings and work sessions. In contrast, it is rarely mentioned that each board member also serves on several of our 11 committees and seven negotiation teams. I mention this because tonight’s meeting included a task that is completed every year with little fanfare – assignment of board members to committees and teams. Committees include the Advisory Committee on Intergovernmental Relations, Auditorium Foundation, Bilingual Advisory, Business-Education Alliance, Design Advisory, Equity, Frank Pierce Trust, Insurance, Labor-Management, Marshall County Conference Board, and School Improvement Advisory. By serving on these committees, board members (no more than three per committee) serve as liaisons to the community and help the entire Board avoid getting bogged down by issues that require intense, careful consideration. An example of the benefit of committee work is the Capital Improvement Plan approved tonight by the Board after extensive work by the Design Advisory Committee (President Welker, Vice President Wilson and Director Schrum).
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POLICY

413.7 Twelve-Month Secretary Voluntary Retirement Incentive Program, will come back for first reading

First Reading
206.1 New Board Member Orientation, bring back for second reading

Initial Review
300 Statement of Guiding Principles for Administration
301.1 Superintendent of Schools-Qualifications and Recruitment
301.2  Superintendent of Schools-Contract and Contract Non-Renewal
504.11 Wellness
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PERSONNEL – PDF

View PDF version here.

Welker elected Board president, Wilson vice president

Sherm Welker was elected president of the Board of Education Monday night.

Welker replaces Kay Beach, who served two years as president. Welker won in a 4-3 vote during the annual organizational meeting.

Jennifer Wilson was re-elected Board vice-president in another 4-3 vote. The Board also approved a number of annual appointments

• Secretary/Treasurer – Kevin Posekany
• School Attorney – Cartwright, Druker & Ryden
• Additional Legal Counsel – Ahlers & Cooney, PC
• Architect of Record – TSP

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Board approves SIAC committee

The Board approved the roster of the School Improvement Advisory Committee Monday night.

The committee is comprised of students, community members, Board members, and district staff. Members of the committee are Luis Alcaraz, Ken Anderson, Morgan Bellile, Ralph Bryant, Laurie Buchwald, Tomasa Fonseca, Matt Cretsinger, John Hermanson, Tim Holmgren, Jason Jablonski, John Johnson, Lisa Koester, Vickie Lewis, Scott Lothe, Ronnie Manis, Susan Pecinovksy, Aiddy Phomvisay, Abigail Saucedo, Kendal Shomo, and Marvin Wade.
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Design Advisory Committee recommends projects to Board

The Design Advisory Committee recommended a slate of prioritized capital improvement projects to the Board Monday night, totaling $17.3 million.

The DAC – comprised of Board members, community representatives and district administration – reviewed the entire Capital Improvement Plan, which contains $57 million in projects, and identified priorities across the district (see Notes from the Superintendent).

The Board is expected to vote on the Capital Improvement Plan at the Oct. 15 Board meeting.
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Secretary/Treasurer’s Annual Report shows positive trends

The annual secretary/treasurer’s report showed the district increasing it’s general fund cash and investments 5.1 percent last year.

Kevin Posekany, director of business operations and Board secretary, told the Board members the District has a healthy cash position and a lot of schools would be happy to have ending balances like Marshalltown’s.

Posekany said the District has a solvency ratio of 6.7 percent. This falls within the auditor’s recommendation of 6-8 percent, though Posekany said the goals is to reach 8-10 percent. Solvency ratio is calculated by dividing the unreserved fund balance by expenditures.
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Board reviews graduation trends

The Marshalltown High School graduation rate for 2011-2012 was 77.7 percent, according to a report presented at the Sept. 24 Board meeting.

Dr. Susan Pecinovksy, associate superintendent for student achievement, said some discrepancies in calculations by the state can be confusing, as each building has a different graduation rate than the district. The state also revised its graduation calculations in February 2011.

The 77.7 percent rate is a decrease from 2010-2011, which saw 80.8 percent, though still higher than the three previous years. The Strategic Action Plan objective is to have a 95 percent graduation rate by 2014-2015.
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Fisher Elementary Phase II complete

Phase II of the Fisher Elementary project was approved as substantially complete Monday evening.

Phase II of the project included electrical work and a lot of finishing including windows, carpeting, etc.

The school will soon host an open house to showcase the finished facilities to the community.
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NOTES FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD

By Sherm Welker, President

We as a community have started a renewal program for our school district and for our school buildings. Many of us were not around during the 1970s and 1980s when some of Marshalltown’s industry changed and made funding local capital projects very difficult for the community and school district. We changed that in 2002 and throughout the last 10 years have reinvested into our building infrastructure. Our elementary schools have been renovated and have fewer students due to the grade structure realignment. Our newer Lenihan Intermediate School is a bright star for our students to start the transition to High School. While many funds have been spent at Miller Middle School, it still is our oldest structure and continued reinvestment will be necessary to continue the process we have begun.

Our newest facility when the bond issue projects started was MHS. It remains one of our focus sites for educational improvements and will need upgrades to the buildings as we approach our 50th year of service to our students. The first project is the Roundhouse renovation that will update and re-commission our effort to have first class facilities to mirror our first class education. We have asked for Board input into the capital plan and our advisory committee stands ready for public input as this project is launched this spring. We are all excited to see MHS changing in both the physical and educational realms. Please review our plan and be involved in our capital building campaign.
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NOTES FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

By Dr. Marvin Wade, Superintendent of Schools

Tonight’s meeting included a report from Director of Business Operations Kevin Posekany indicating the Board has $17 million that could be allocated toward completion of capital improvement (buildings and grounds) projects within MCSD. This amount was determined through a statutory funding formula that takes into consideration taxable valuation, a legal bonding rate of no more than five percent, and outstanding debt of the district.

The Board then reviewed a list of requested capital improvement projects totaling over $57 million. Members of the Design Advisory Committee identified projects considered priorities based upon criteria such as safety, educational need, and preventative maintenance to avoid costly repairs in the future. The $17.3 million of identified priority projects included work at Marshalltown High School ($10 million); Miller Middle School ($4 million); Support Services/Marshalltown Learning Academy/District Office ($2.2 million); and Anson, Rogers and Woodbury Elementary schools ($1.1 million).

This evening’s presentation included a large amount of information. Board members now have two weeks to study the entire project list and the recommendations of the Design Advisory Committee. It is anticipated that the Board will vote on Oct. 15 to identify those projects that will collectively serve as the MCSD Facilities Plan for the foreseeable future. I look forward to the Board’s vote and to the work that will begin immediately afterward to make the Board’s vision a reality for our community, schools and students.
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POLICY

Sept. 24, 2012
First Reading: 204.11 General Complaints by Citizens, waive second reading.
Initial Review: 205.1 Compensation for Expenses, mark reviewed; 205.2 Membership in Associations, delete.

Oct. 1, 2012
First Reading: 204.6 Notice of Board Meetings, mark reviewed. 204.5/204.5-R Organizational Meeting/Procedures, changed to state Board Secretary calls meeting to order, waive second reading.
Initial Review: 205.3 Board of Directors and Elected Officials, mark reviewed; 206.1 New Board Member Orientation, work on revising the list of recommended orientation seminars.
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PERSONNEL

Sept. 24, 2012 (PDF)
Oct. 1, 2012 (PDF)
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View in PDF form.

Options, costs for Roundhouse renovation reviewed by Board

The Roundhouse at Marshalltown High School.

Preliminary plans for renovation of the Roundhouse were presented to the School Board Monday night.

Joe Benesh, from architectural firm RDG Planning and Design of Des Moines, presented two options: what he called the “base option” and the “everything included” option.

The base option would include new bleachers, improved press box and observation areas, new second floor track, new roof, mechanical and electrical improvements and AV/sound/display/scoreboard upgrades. This project would also remodel the locker rooms, restrooms, laundry facilities and PE/equipment storage. Site improvements would include a new entry plaza, road re-configuration and decorative paving.

The cost of this project would be $7.7 million. Benesh told the Board this work would improve the facilities to be a point of pride for the community.

A second option, the “everything included” option, would also include a new music suite, new offices and a Hall of Pride, an auxiliary gymnasium, a new wrestling room, and additional site improvements and other work. It also includes the option for a new weight room.

This project, which Benesh said was more a list of “wants” than “needs”, came in at $20.9 million.

The Board will discuss the direction for the Roundhouse renovation at upcoming meetings in conjunction with revising the capital improvement plan. Board Member Larry Shrum noted that plans were still preliminary and whatever final project is approved, the work to fund the project would come from both the district and the community.

“This project has always been considered a public-private partnership,” he said. “This is still a work in progress.”
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Marshalltown ACT scores up across the board, surpass state average

Read more about this here.
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Special Olympics continue under Parks & Rec

Marshalltown Parks & Recreation department has assumed administration of the Bobcat Special Olympics program.

“This fits right in with our mission as far as Parks & Recreation is concerned,” said Chad Weir, Parks & Rec superintendent. “This is stuff we do on a daily basis. We’re happy to do it, we’re excited to do it.”

Jennifer Hart, Parks & Rec supervisor, told the School Board the program is up and running, with the fall bowling season commencing this week. Parks & Rec has partnered with Marshalltown Schools for more than 40 years on a wide variety of programs, including Camp Marshalltown. Hart told the Board this partnership promises to continue offering the Special Olympics programs students have enjoyed and possibly expanding options later down the road.

“We’re excited to be partnering with the school in another aspect,” Weir said.

Hart says she has 65 students on her roster so far and many more potential future athletes.

Anyone interested in signing up for Bobcat Special Olympics or those looking to volunteer can contact Jennifer Hart at Marshalltown Parks & Rec at 641-754-5715 or jhart@ci.marshalltown.ia.us or by visiting the office at 10 W. State Street (old library building).
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Three facilities projects reach substantial completion

The Board accepted the substantial completion of three district projects Monday night.

First was the demotion and site paving at the Support Services Building (old Anson Middle School). There were some change order costs with the project, but they fell within the contingency set at the outset of the work.

The second was the MHS track resurfacing, which was completed without change orders.

The third was the district security and surveillance project, which was funded through the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative.
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NOTES FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

By Dr. Marvin Wade, Superintendent of Schools

During tonight’s presentation of design elements and cost estimates for the “Renovate the Roundhouse” project, it was obvious that a significant amount of work is necessary to return the Roundhouse to its former glory. The Board is committed to meeting this expectation in a fiscally responsible manner – which means also examining other facility needs and the district’s construction budget. During its Sept. 24 meeting, the Board will receive a comprehensive list of construction projects recommended for completion between 2013 and 2016. During the same meeting, the Board will receive information about how these projects could be funded – though no action will be taken on the Capital Improvement Project List or funding mechanisms until October.
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NOTES FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD

By Kay Beach, Board President

This evening Dr. Pecinovsky reported that for the first time in four years our students who took the ACT test last spring (137 juniors) scored higher than the state average in every category, scoring a full scale score point above the previous year’s test-takers.  This was cause for rejoicing, and celebratory noises were made around the Board table when it was reported!  I have since learned that MHS Principal Phomvisay made the same announcement at a football game on the Friday evening after the school  first received the news—and there was essentially no response at all from the crowd.  I live for the day when a crowd of MHS supporters will cheer as lustily for an academic achievement as they do for a touchdown!  And I heartily encourage Mr. Phomvisay to continue making celebratory announcements about our students’ accomplishments whenever he has the opportunity.  The community needs to know about our students’ successes, and we need to let our students know that we are proud of ALL of their accolades.
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Personnel – Read here.
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Policy

First Reading: 204.6 Notice of Board Meetings, mark reviewed. 204.5/204.5-R Organizational Meeting/Procedures, changed to state Board Secretary calls meeting to order, waive second reading.

Initial Review: 204.12 Minutes of Meetings-Publication of Proceedings, mark reviewed. 204.7 mark reviewed; 204.8 mark reviewed; 204.9/204.9-R Agenda and Order of Regular Business Meetings, mark reviewed. 204.10 Community Participation in Board Meetings, mark reviewed. 204.11 General Complaints by Citizens, add that complaints are addressed in policy 402.5, bring back for first reading.
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View as PDF.

AYP gains take district off math DINA list

Anson drops SINA designation in math, Franklin completely off SINA list

The hard work over the last few years to improve math instruction in the district is paying off in a big way.

The Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) report for last year saw math scores continuing to improve, resulting in Marshalltown losing the District In Need of Assistance (DINA) designation in the area of mathematics.

Two elementary schools were also removed from the School In Need of Assistance (SINA) list in math – Anson Elementary and Franklin Elementary. Franklin is completely removed from the SINA list.

Dr. Susan Pecinovsky, associate superintendent for student achievement, said this results from the hard work of District staff, who have been critical in implementing new math curriculum and tightening the alignment of programs.

Pecinovsky said the District is now focusing on improving reading scores. Last year the District purchased new K-6 reading materials with specific components for Special Education and English Language Learners. This year each elementary building will also have a literacy coach and all students will receive 120 minutes of core literacy instruction daily.

The District is also partnering with the University of Northern Iowa Jacobsen Center to establish demonstration classrooms where teachers can see best practices in action.
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District attendance topped 94 percent in 2011-2012

A report a Monday’s Board meeting showed District attendance for the 2011-2012 school year at 94.37 percent, ahead of the annual projected target in the Strategic Action Plan.

Lisa Koester, director of human resources and student issues, noted that all elementary schools were above 95 percent attendance, with some at 96 and nearly 97 percent. The district goal is to hit 95 percent by 2015.

Koester said the District will continue working toward that goal.
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Facilities ready for school year

 Between construction projects, summer school, RAGBRAI, and a presidential visit, there was a lot going on this summer in and around Marshalltown Schools, yet district support staff worked ahead of, through, and around it all to prepare facilities for the first day Aug. 21.

“People were willing to help each other out,” said Pat Hemming, operations supervisor for the district. “We’re ready.”

Green Cleaning Initiative

Hemming also told the Board about the green cleaning initiative adopted by the Iowa legislature in 2010. The bill asked schools to go with environmentally safe cleaning projects or asked to opt out. Two years ago the District began testing products and are switching to green products as supplies of old chemicals are exhausted.

Hemming noted that the green initiative is only for cleaning products and the district still uses chemical disinfectants and some lawn care products.
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Board receives update on SAP Strategy 5

District administrators gave an informal overview of Strategy 5 of the Strategic Action Plan at Monday’s Board meeting.

Strategy 5 focuses on improving student achievement through efficient stewardship of district resources. It has five primary actions:

• Promote continuous improvement through alignment of district policies, plans and handbooks with the strategic action plan.

• Implement a data-informed and results-driven process for decision making within the district.

•  Identify funding priorities and allocate resources for attainment of district goals.

•  Identify funding priorities and allocate resources for attainment of district goals.

• Ensure student and staff access to technology necessary for increased academic achievement.

An update on the progress of all parts of the Strategic Action Plan will be included in a community-wide report in October.
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Board sets legislative priorities

The Board set their legislative priorities for 2012-2013 during Monday’s meeting.

The Board reviewed a list of legislative priorities provided by the Iowa Association of School Boards, then selected the five they would like to see IASB lobby for at the statehouse.

The five priorities included continued development of rigorous content standards with funding for all components, support of adequate and on-time funding for English Language Learners, funding for quality 4-year-old preschool programs, setting an allowable growth rate that encourages continuous school improvement, and supporting legislature that provides greater flexibility to districts to meet their changing needs.
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West bus barn demo complete

The Board recognized substantial completion of the west bus barn Monday night.

The project included the demolition of the structure and subsequent site work with lighting and fencing.
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NOTES FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

By Dr. Marvin Wade, Superintendent of Schools

Tonight’s board meeting included reports that last year’s student attendance exceeded expectations and that progress has been made in several categories of Adequate Yearly Progress. On Wednesday, August 22, scores will be released from last spring’s administration of the ACT. All three reports are important to MCSD because they give us externally-provided evidence that our emphasis on higher expectations, narrowed focus and increased accountability are making a difference. I look forward to this new school year knowing that 2012-2013 will provide us with many opportunities to celebrate the continued success of our students and district.
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NOTES FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD

By Kay Beach, Board President

One of the benefits of membership in the Iowa Association of School Boards is their very active role in lobbying the legislature on behalf of education in general and school boards in particular.  This evening the Board spent some time determining where our board would like IASB’s lobbying efforts to focus.  Our priorities include (1) greater flexibility for schools, especially in regard to school calendars (2) developing rigorous curriculum content standards and high-quality assessments—and fully funding their implementation, (3) funding for ELL programs until students reach proficiency, (4) continued funding of preschool for 4-year-olds, and (5) reasonable, fully-funded allowable growth.  As always, the goal of all of these efforts is to support increased student achievement.
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PERSONNEL – View as PDF.

POLICY

First Reading

204.3 Closed Sessions, change to clarify who keeps detailed minutes, waive second reading.

204.4 Annual Meeting, eliminated some redundancy, waive second reading.

Initial Review

204.5 Organizational Meeting, change to say board secretary calls meeting to order

204.5-R Organizational Meeting Procedures

204.6 Notice of Board Meetings, bring back for first reading.
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View PDF version here.

One million served

Food Service report shows increased meals, expanded programs

No kids will go hungry if Vickie McVey can help it.

The District Director of Food Services leads a crew of 76 who served approximately one million meals during the 2011-2012 school year.

Marshalltown School Food Service served 268,273 breakfasts and 713,535 lunches, an increase of 22 percent and 7.5 percent respectively.

The breakfast increase comes from the addition of Breakfast in the Classroom at Woodbury Elementary. The program began at Anson Elementary in the 2006-2007 school year and has gained popularity, providing free breakfast to every student regardless of family financial status.

McVey says teachers noticed an increased focus among students, and school nurses noted fewer morning stomachaches and headaches.

New to MSFS this year was a fresh fruit and vegetable program which provided a wide variety of snacks to elementary and preschool students. A total of 234,432 snacks were served, including figs, Chinese long beans, star fruit and bok choy among others.

The popular Summer Feeding Program, which runs through the end of July, averaged 698 lunches per day in 2011. The program also offers breakfast and snacks – all at no cost to students.

On the financial side, expenditures were 87 percent of revenues, with food costs at $1.24 per meal. Other costs per meal were labor ($1.39) and miscellaneous supply and equipment expenses ($0.27).

Sixty-eight percent of students qualified for free and reduced meals, with 3,048 students qualified for free meals and 366 for reduced. The negative account balance at the end of the school year was $12,178, a decrease from 2011 and from the all-time high of $26,380 in 2009.

McVey said the MSFS goals for 2012-2013 are to continue expanding food service availability and increasing breakfast participation. MSFS will also integrate with Infinite Campus to allow parents to view account balances through the Parent Portal. McVey says they will also continue to work on compliance with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 and on the District Wellness Policy and US Healthier Schools Challenge.
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Board reviews Strategic Action Plan indicators

The Board reviewed Strategic Plan indicators during the first meeting of the 2012-2013 school year.

Indicators are the measures used to track progress toward the Strategic Plan goal and objectives. Data was highlighted according to progress: read meant a target was not reached, green meant it was, and yellow meant there wasn’t enough information yet to make that determination.

Many items remain in the “yellow” range because indicators are based on the Iowa Assessments, which were new this year. With the new assessments, it is hard to measure progress from a previous year when students took different tests.

The district is on track to meet its goal of 95 percent attendance, exceeding the progress indicator set for 2011-2012. The district also met the indicator for decreasing expulsions, though had increases in in-school and out-of-school suspensions.

Several items like graduation rate aren’t available until the state releases the figures in the fall. Superintendent Marvin Wade said the district will continue to track progress and gather data when it’s available so a formal progress report can be made to the community in the fall.
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District-wide initiatives progressing

Five major initiatives are underway in Marshalltown Schools, with each building at different steps on the way to full implementation in four years.

The five initiatives are:

• Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS) – a decision-making framework that guides practices for improving academic and behavior outcomes for all students.
• Sheltered Instruction (SIOP) – evidenced-based framework for improving academic achievement of English Language Learners.
• Response to Intervention (RTI) – a process to increase capacity for making decisions matched to student needs.
• Common Unit Design (CUD) – method of designing curriculum by setting goals before choosing activities and content for teach.
• Literacy Framework – implementing the Comprehensive Literacy Model and Comprehensive Intervention Model to increase the number of students who are proficient in reading and writing and to close the achievement gap between diverse groups while accelerating literacy learning for all students.

Dr. Susan Pecinovsky, associate superintendent for student achievement, showed the Board where each building was implementing these initiatives and the work they would be taking on during the upcoming school year.
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District secretaries receive pay increase

The Board approved a 3.63 percent salary package increase for district secretaries Monday night.

The package reflects similar percentages received by district teachers and administrators. The total budget increase will be $51,837.
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Strategies for parent, community collaboration discussed

District administration updated the Board on work under Strategy 4 of the Strategic Action Plan, which calls for collaboration with parents, community and business leaders to support increased student achievement.

There are five actions tied to the strategy:

1. Identify and promote opportunities for parent engagement.
2. Promote partnerships with community agencies and organizations
3. Promote business and education partnerships.
4. Research, develop and implement educational choice options to meet student and community needs and interests.
5. Implement plan for ongoing communication with internal and external audiences.

District administrators told the Board about numerous projects and initiatives going on under this umbrella, including work with the Business-Education Alliance and the extensive network of partnerships throughout Marshalltown.
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Notes from the Superintendent

By Dr. Marvin Wade, Superintendent of Schools

Tonight’s board meeting provided an excellent transition from last year to the 2012-2013 school year which began July 1, 2012.  Presentations included information about efforts to improve collaboration with community partners, progress toward full implementation of five district initiatives, and data for the ten progress indicators of our Strategic Action Plan. These reports clearly conveyed that major themes of 2011-2012 -higher expectations, narrowed focus, and increased accountability- will remain a driving force for improvements important to us all – increased student attendance, engagement, achievement and graduation.
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Notes from the Board

By Kay Beach, Board President

Our district’s Mission Statement is “To nurture students to become intellectually and personally empowered for citizenship in a changing world;” and we usually think of that “nurturing” as being academic or social in nature.  Tonight we were reminded that our school’s Food Service does a yeoman’s job of nurturing our students’ bodies as well.  And as if serving over a million meals (breakfasts and lunches) weren’t enough, Ms. McVey and her staff are educating our youngsters about different foods and training their palates to enjoy all kinds of different fruits and veggies.  Because of our national concern regarding childhood obesity, the meals are planned with both variety and caloric content in mind.  It is both reassuring and inspiring to learn about the care and concern that is behind this service that many of us just take for granted.
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Personnel – View PDF here.
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Policy

Initial Review

204.1 Regular Meetings, mark reviewed
404.2 Special Meetings, mark reviewed
204.3 Closed Sessions, strike “by the Board Secretary” from the section regarding who takes detailed notes.
204.4 Annual Meeting, strike several sections of redundancy with 201.7
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View PDF version here.

District begins partnership with UNI’s Jacobson Center

The University of Northern Iowa’s Richard O. Jacobson Center for Comprehensive Literacy has selected Marshalltown Schools to take part in its Partnership in Comprehensive Literacy (PCL).

“We’re one of the few districts in the state that’s going to be moving this work forward,” said Dr. Susan Pecinovksy, associate superintendent for student achievement.

Pecinovsky and several principals and literacy coaches traveled to Council Bluffs earlier this year to see the positive impact of the literacy program. Council Bluffs schools, while twice the size of Marshalltown, have similar demographics and were also had several Schools In Need of Assistance (SINA). There, the district partnered with the University of Arkansas to reconfigure literacy instruction. The result was dynamic instruction and student learning that consistently pushed scores up and the buildings off SINA lists.

The research from Arkansas is the foundation of the work at the Jacobson Center. So far Marshalltown has received funding to train three literacy coaches and one district-level coach. The District has applied for funding to train three additional teachers.

The PCL model has 10 distinct features: a framework for literacy, model classrooms, high standards, comprehensive assessment system, system interventions, collaborative learning teams, well-designed literacy plan, technology for learning and spotlighting and advocacy.

This fall the three trained coaches will being working at Hoglan, Anson and Franklin elementary schools, with the goal of adding three more (or one per elementary) by 2013-2014.

More information about the Jacobson Center can be found at http://www.uni.edu/jccl
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New math courses designed for Special Education students

Newly configured math instruction will help meet the diverse needs Special Education students.

Dr. Ken Hayes, associate principal at Marshalltown High School, and Pam Brewer-Michael, MHS chemistry teacher and Common Unit Design facilitator, described the revamped curriculum to the Board. It relies on the use of Wikis, or online sites to allow students with different skill levels in different areas of mathematics to work in the same classroom.

Brewer-Michael said a curriculum team comprised of Special Education teachers from MHS and Miller and math content teachers did lot of research while developing these wikis, including studying district data, examining other models and reading about best practices.

“This new system is going to allow students to start where they need to be and if they can advance quickly through an algebra strand they’ll be able to do that,” Brewer-Michael said.

Students will have online accounts where they can access teacher-created instructional videos designed for specific content and skill-level. Pre- and post-testing will help teacher monitor progress. When students aren’t making the expected progress, small-group and one-on-one teaching will take place in the same classroom.

There will be seven sections of the class this fall, with no more than 17 students in a section. Hayes said the structure has made scheduling simpler for these students, since the diversified online instruction allows students at various skill levels to be in the same section.
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Board reviews baseline data on kindergarten readiness

Associate Superintendent Susan Pecinovksy presented baseline information on kindergarten readiness, one of the facets of the Strategic Action Plan.

Objective 1 of the SAP is to improve academic performance, so monitoring kindergarten readiness as defined and measured by the Gold Assessment gives the district a clear picture how students are prepared for learning.

The Gold Assessment is given to all students in the District preschool program and measures age-appropriate skills including social-emotional development, physical/fine motor skills, language, cognitive skills, literacy and mathematics.

Pecinovksy said breaking the Gold Assessment down into these categories allows the District to identify specific areas where more instruction needs to occur.
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Memberships, admin salaries approved

Salary increases for district administrators and the superintendent were approved Monday night, as well as membership in the Urban Education Network and Iowa Association of School Boards.

Administrators were given a 3.63 percent total package increase, which includes a 3.59 percent salary increase and the remainder reflecting mandatory IPERS increases. This package increase was the same as given to the certified teaching staff.

Superintendent Marvin Wade was also given a 3.59 percent salary increase and had his contract extended an additional year to June 30, 2015.

The Board also approved membership in the UEN for $5,000 and IASB for $10,459.
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Fisher change orders approved

The Board approved three change orders on the Fisher Elementary construction project Monday night.

The change orders total $36,400.75 and include some HVAC, masonry work and door transom repairs.

Architect Dave Schulze told the board the change order costs still fall below the 5 percent contingency built into the project budget. The project is slated for completion before school begins this fall.
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PERSONNEL

Resignations

Jennifer Dwyer, Franklin teacher librarian, effective at the end of the 2011-2012 school year.
Brianna Yates, Grade 5-8 vocal music, effective at the end of the 2011-2012 school year.
Kathy Stalzer, Miller paraeducator, effective June 1, 2012.
Wendi Hunt, Woodbury paraeducator, effective at the end of the 2011-2012 school year.
Jim Lewis, Lenihan custodian, effective July 5, 2012.
Blair Benefield, 8th Grade volleyball coach, effective at the end of the 2011-2012 school year.
Tyler Hellmann, 8th Grade assistant volleyball coach, effective at the end of the 2011-2012 school year.

Appointments

Mallory Kern, Fisher preschool. Start date: Aug. 15, 2012; Salary: BA Step 5.
Collette Murphy, Anson 1/2 Special Ed, 1/2 Title I. Start date: Aug. 15, 2012; Salary: BA+15 Step 5.
Blake Cutright, Hoglan PE (0.5 FTE). Start date: Aug. 15, 2012; Salary: BA Step 5.
Jacob Borton, Miller Language Arts. Start date: Aug. 15, 2012; Salary: BA Step 5.
Jade Musgrave, Franklin Grade 4. Start date: Aug.15, 2012; Salary: BA Step 5.
Tracy Steere, Hoglan Special Ed. Start date: Aug. 15, 2012; Salary: BA+15, Step 11.
Cheri Bolar, Title I at Hoglan (1/2) and Franklin (1/2). Start date: Aug. 15, 2012; Salary: BA Step 7.
Mark Krukow, District Network Specialist. Start date: June 11, 2012; Salary: $51,295.
Craig Luttrell, MHS speech director. Salary: $957/year.
Dana Craft, Anson paraeducator. Start date: Aug. 16, 2012; Salary: $9.48/hour.
Bruce Vopava, 7th grade boys track coach. Salary: $2474/year.

Change of Contract

Debra Christenson, Fisher, Rogers, Woodbury ELP (change from Franklin Grade 4), start date: Aug. 15, 2012.
Cindy Martin, .75 FTE Hoglan Homebound Special Ed Level III (change from Anson Special Ed), start date: Aug. 15, 2012.
Julie Thede, Anson Grade 2 (from Anson Grade 1), start date: Aug. 15, 2012.
Lacie Moore, Hoglan Grade 3 (from Anson Grade 1), start date: Aug. 15, 2012.
Katie Troskey, Franklin Special Ed (from Franklin preschool), start date: Aug. 15, 2012.
Stephanie Goos, Hoglan Kindergarten (from Franklin Special Ed), start date: Aug. 15, 2012.
Gladis Gonzalez, Woodbury Grade 2 Spanish (from Lenihan Grade 6), start date: Aug. 15, 2012.
Maiea Milot, Woodbury paraeducator (from Woodbury bilingual tutor), start date: Aug. 16, 2012.
Martha Munoz, Woodbury paraeducator (from Woodbury bilingual tutor), start date: Aug. 16, 2012.
C’Yanna Ochoa, Fisher paraeducator (from Woodbury paraeducator), start date: Aug. 16, 2012.
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POLICY

First Reading
203.5 School Improvement Advisory Committee, waive second reading.
203.6 Legal Counsel, waive second reading.

Initial Review
203.9 Gifts to Board of Directors, mark reviewed
203.10 Board Self Evaluation, mark reviewed
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View PDF version here.

Summer School underway

Summer school programs are underway across the District in the month of June.

All elementary schools are offering Ladders to Learning, a summer learning program facilitated by Area Education Agency 267. The program offers reading and math instruction, though schools are offering one or both based on student needs.

Lenihan Intermediate and Miller Middle schools are offering summer tutoring sessions for reading, math and academic vocabulary. Marshalltown High School has credit recovery sessions for English, math, science, social studies and English Language Learners.

Rogers Elementary will also host its Rogers University.
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MHS cheerleaders set to perform at Chiefs game

Marshalltown High School Cheerleaders will perform at a Kansas City Chiefs football halftime show Aug. 10. 2012.

Stephanie Farrell, MHS cheerleading coach, said the team will participate in the Chiefs’ Spirit Day halftime. On Aug. 4 the 16 cheerleaders will travel to Kansas City to learn the routine. They will return to Kansas City on Aug. 10, to perform at halftime.

Farrell said the team plans to do some fundraising this summer.
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Board approves MEA contract settlement

The Board approved a settlement with the Marshalltown Education Association for a 3.6 percent total package increase in 2012-2013.

The agreement provides a $605 increase on the base salary, with a new teacher earning a minimum salary of $34,962 (BA Step 5) and continuation of health, dental and vision insurance.

The total increased cost to the district is $756,000.
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Agreement reached with paraeducators

The Board approved an agreement with Local No. 238 of the Teamsters Union representing district paraeducators.

The agreement gives a 2.25 percent increase for 2012-2013. A new longevity pay schedule will also be placed in effect for employees with at least seven years of service. Employees in this category will not receive the 2.25 percent wage increase, but instead receive longevity pay ranging from 35 cents per hour to 80 cents per hour.

The total additional cost to the district is approximately $102,500.
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2013-2014 calendar approved

The Board approved the calendar for the 2013-2014 school year.

School will begin Aug. 20, 2013. Instead of a full week of spring break, there will be an extended break around Easter (April 17 & 18, 2014). One of the in-service days previously held before school starts will be scheduled Jan. 17, 2014. The last day of school will be May 29, 2014.

The district has received an Innovative Calendar Waiver for 2013-2014, so there will be another calendar created later for one or more buildings.

The Board also approved a waiver for an early start for the 2012-2013 school year, which begins Aug. 21, 2012.
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Discipline, attendance data review

The Board reviewed a report on district discipline and attendance Monday night.

Lisa Koester, director of human resources and student issues, presented numbers for the 2011-2012 school year, noting some areas of celebration and some places where more work is needed. Incidents of in-school suspensions decreased from 2010-2011, as did expulsions. Incidents of out-of-school suspensions increased this school year. Koester said part of the reason could be the increased accountability and work to crack down on inappropriate behavior. Board members expressed the desire to see the continued expansion and implementation Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports throughout the district to help decrease incidents of misbehavior.

District attendance rates saw an jump from 2010-2011, going from 93.42 percent last year to 94.37 percent this year. All elementary schools were above the Strategic Action Plan’s overall goal of 95 percent.
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Notes from the Board

By Kay Beach, Board President

Just a few years ago Marshalltown schools were perceived as being unsafe for students.  All kinds of reasons were given for this perception, but the bottom line is that it was believed by a huge number of people in our community.  This was a serious situation for at least two huge reasons:  (1) No one wants children in an unsafe environment, and (2) Parents, consequently, began sending their children out of our district.  Our school leaders realized that this perception/situation required major attention and serious action.  Tonight we received a report that clearly indicates that in the realm of behavior, things are turning around and looking up.  In all our schools children are given clear explanations of the behavior that is expected in the school setting and also a clear explanation of the consequences of unacceptable behaviors.   A positive, safe environment is essential to good learning; and if we are to be a “district of choice” (which is our goal,) we absolutely must provide that kind of environment.  Congratulations and thanks to all of our district administrators, teachers, support staff, and students for making great strides in improving the climate of our schools.  Keep up the good work!
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PERSONNEL

Resignations

Anel Garza de Sandoval, Woodbury kindergarten, effective June 1, 2012.

Kylee Vopava, Lenihan Grade 6 teacher and 7th grade volleyball coach, effective at the end of the school year.

Kelley Dickey, MHS social studies teacher and assistant girls golf coach, effective July 31, 2012.

Eric Hunerdosse, Woodbury Learning Supports Specialist, effective July 20, 2012.

Sara Reed, Miller drama coach, effective at the end of the 2011-2012 school year.

Nicole Clark, Franklin paraeducator, effective at the end of the 2011-2012 school year.

Alicia Nunez, Lenihan paraeducator, effective at the end of the 2011-2012 school year.

Kelsey Sawtelle, MHS paraeducator, effective June 1, 2012.

Jordan Johnson, Franklin paraeducator, effective June 1, 2012.

Terminations

Erin Hoskins, Woodbury paraeducator, effective May 2, 2012.

Appointments

Matt Cretsinger, Director of Special Services. Mr. Cretsinger is currently program assistant for special eduation at Heartland Area Education Agency. He has also been team leader for Behavioral Supports and a school psychologist. Start date: July 1, 2012. Salary: $89,000.

Jacy Large, Miller principal. Mr. Large is currently director of support services in Ankeny. Previously, he was principal of South Hamilton Middle School/High School in Jewell, Iowa. Start date: July 1, 2012. Salary: $99,000.

Mallori Ghent, Franklin Grade 3. Start date: Aug. 15, 2012; Salary: BA Step 5.

Jhanell AlSamhan, MHS art. Start date: Aug. 15, 2012; Salary: MA Step 5.

Naomi Terbetski, MHS ESL. Start date: Aug. 15, 2012; Salary: MA Step 5.

Caitlin Toppler, MHS ESL. Start date: Aug. 15, 2012; Salary: BA Step 5.

Natalie Elliot, Franklin Grade 1. Start date: Aug. 15, 2012; Salary: BA Step 5.

Morgan Boehmer, Miller Grade 7 Reading/Language Arts. Start date: Aug. 15, 2012; Salary: BA Step 5.

Stacey Tool-Crawford, Rogers school nurse. Start date: Aug. 15, 2012; Salary: 3 year Step 11.

Diane Peden, MHS 10-month counseling secretary. Start date: Aug. 13, 2012; Salary: $9.65/hour.

Alicia Nunez, Lenihan 10-month secretary. Start date: July 25, 2012; Salary: $9.65/hour.

Change of Contract

Susan Baker, Special Education Level II LD/BD. Change from Miller to Rogers Aug. 15, 2012.

Jessica Cakrasenjaya, change from MHS ELL to English/Language Arts Aug. 15, 2012.

Karen Roessler, change from Lenihan ELP to Woodbury/MACS Title I Aug. 15, 2012.

Pam Atcher, change from 10-month vault secretary to 10-month counseling secretary at MHS, Aug. 9, 2012.

POLICY

Second Reading: 701.5 Post-Issuance Compliance Policy for Tax-Exempt Obligations approved as presented

First Reading: 203.1 two sentences added, waive second reading

Initial Review: 203.5 School Improvement Advisory Committee, make it comply with Iowa Code 280.12, change to say final selection shall be approved by the Board and superintendent shall appoint an administrative representative; 203.6 Legal Counsel, mark reviewed; 203.7 Administration in Absence of Policy, mark reviewed.

View PDF version here.

New K-6 literacy program purchased

A new K-6 elementary literacy curriculum is headed to Marshalltown this fall.

The board approved purchasing Treasures, a literacy curriculum from McGraw-Hill Companies. The new curriculum will replace materials from 2003.

Dr. Susan Pecinovsky, associate superintendent for student achievement, says benefits of Treasures include online materials for teachers and online learning opportunitites for students. Treasures also has specific materials for Special Education and English Language Learners.

“This will be an opportunity for a seamless system for instruction [with Special Education, ELL, and core instruction materials],” Pecinovsky said.

The purchase price for the new materials is $497,608.
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Federal program supports migrant student education

Approximately 280 migrant students are enrolled in Marshalltown Schools and Monday night the Board learned more about them and the Federal program  designed to help them succeed.

MCSD received $276,400 in Title I – Part C Federal funding this school year for the education of “migratory children”. This funding provides supplemental education and support services for eligible children face the challenges of disrupted education.

Rachel Inks, district English Language Learneing coordinator, reviewed the migrant program for the Board and the Federal eligibility requirements. Students must be under 22 years of age without a high school deploma or GED. His or her parent, spouse, or guardian must be a migrant agricultural worker and the child must have moved in the last 36 months to accompany them to seek temporary or seasonal work. The work must be with raw agricultural product and be the primary means of livelihood.

Iowa has nine school districts with migrant programs, each one in a community with a meat processing or packing plant.

Migrant students are identified at registration. Families are asked if they recently moved to Marshalltown seeking work in agriculture, food processing, etc. If yes, the District Migrant Recruiter interviews the family and completes a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE). This is reviewed by the District Migrant Coordinator and submitted to the Iowa Migrant Coordinator for approval.

The Federal program has “priority for service” guidelines to identify students with the most pressing needs. These include an interruption to education in the previous 12 months and if a student is failing or at risk of failing.

Funds received through the Migrant Program pay part of the salaries of some employees and provide supplemental services like tutoring, after school programs, ESL services, credit recovery, preschool and other instructional resources. Migrant students also receive free school meals and are eligible for translation and interpretation services and some supportive health services in cooperation with other agencies.
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Franklin Field Gateway project, MHS classroom addition finished

The Board closed out two projects Monday night, approving the resolution of substantial completion for the Franklin Field Gateway Project and the Marshalltown High School second floor classroom addition.

The Franklin Field Gateway project was funded by community donations. Buildings & Grounds Director Rick Simpson told the Board the community volunteers had recently completed the landscaping for the project and had plans to supervise upkeep.

Both projects were completed by Hay Construction Services.
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IPI measures student, teacher engagement

The spring Instructional Practices Inventory (IPI) data collection is complete, and the results are consistent with fall collections.

The IPI process is a set of strategies for profiling student engagement on six categories. This data helps teachers assess and enhance their teaching process to increase engagement and with it student achievement.

The District worked with consultants from Area Education Agency 267, which sent a team of certified trainers to collect the first baseline information in the fall. District staff members were then trained and conducted a spring collection.

The fall collection showed 86.43 percent of observations scored in the 3-6 range. The spring collection showed 87 percent.

Dr. Susan Pecinovsky, associate superintendent for student achievement, said this information will be used as the baseline to measure future progress in student engagement as part of the district Strategic Action Plan.
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Notes from the Board

By Kay Beach, Board President

Whenever I am asked to list my hobbies, one of the activities that is high on my list is reading.  Reading is truly a passion of mine; being stuck somewhere with time on my hands and nothing to read is my idea of torture.  I remember clearly the hours I spent in first grade, looking at the alphabet letters along the top of the blackboard and repeating over and over their initial sounds; and I remember, too, the seemingly endless repetition of long and short vowel sounds.  When I was six years old my burning ambition was to be able to read (for myself!) the Sunday comics—“Lulu,” “Henry,” “Little Orphan Annie,” “Popeye,” etc.  Learning to read unlocked the doors to unlimited realms:  nature, the universe, fantasy, foreign lands, the past, the future….and the Sunday comics.  Today, reading remains the key to all other learning.  So, tonight, when the Board voted to spend nearly half a million dollars on pre-K through sixth grade literacy materials specifically designed to help all students, it was one of the most significant votes that we, as Board members, will ever make.
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Notes from the Superintendent

By Dr. Marvin Wade, Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Pecinovsky’s report on student classroom engagement included data from observations conducted as part of our commitment to the use of the Instructional Practices Inventory.  Trained observers go classroom to classroom making determinations about the extent to which students are actively engaged in the learning process. Observations conducted during the current school year resulted in a district baseline of 86 percent engagement. Knowing that engagement is a crucial component for higher levels of learning, engagement targets have been set for the next three years.  District engagement targets for 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15 are 92 percent, 97 percent and 100 percent classroom engagement respectively.

We look forward using IPI to gauge our progess as we work to make sure students and teachers are engaged in the learning process.
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PERSONNEL

Resignations

Teresa VandeLune Steensma, Miller 7th Grade Science teacher, effective at the end of the school year.
Daniel Lovell, MHS Special Education teacher, effective at the end of the school year.
Paula Pisney, Rogers ELL teacher/SIOP coach, effective at the end of the school year.
Carla Goettsch, B&G secretary, effective May 28, 2012.
Doug Bacon, MHS Boys Track Coach, effective at the end of the school year.
Sherry Glenney, Substitute Bus Driver, effective May 9, 2012.

Appointments

Lisa Schneck, Miller Grade 7 math teacher. Start date: Aug. 15, 2012. Salary: BA Step 5.
Stephanie Lase, Miller Grade 7 Art teacher. Start date: Aug. 15, 2012. Salary: BA Step 5.
Lindsay Delagardelle, Miller Grade 8 Art teacher. Start date: Aug. 15, 2012. Salary: MA Step 5.
Caira Young, Miller Learning Supports Specialist. Start date: June 1, 2012. Salary: $35,000/year.
Michael Britt, computer tech/auditorium assistant. Start date: May 21, 2012. Salary: $30,000/year.
Carla Goettsch, B&G warehouse/receiving. Start date: May 29, 2012. Salary: $16.73/hour.
Mark Bohan, MHS assistant football coach. Start date: 2012-2013 school year. Salary: TBD.
Matthew Butler, MHS assistant boys basketball coach. Start date: 2012-2013 school year. Salary: TBD.

Change of Contract

Sara Reed, Special Ed Level II teacher. Start date: 2012-2013 school year. Change from Miller to MHS.
Kayleen Schwartzenburg, MHS paraeducator. Start date: 2012-2013 school year. Change of assignment at same position level.
Caitlin Ellis, Anson general education paraeducator. Start date: 2012-2013 school year. Change from Special Ed Level III paraeducator at Hoglan.
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POLICY

First Reading
201.8 Vacancies, major revision based on IASB policy, waive second reading
202.1 Code of Ethics, major revision based on updates to Iowa Code, waive second reading
701.5 Post-Issuance Compliance Policy for Tax-Exempt Obligations, new policy required for bond refinancing

Initial Review
202.5 Board of Directors’ Conflict of Interest, return for first reading
202.7 Individual Board Members, return for first reading
203.1 Formulation, Review & Revision of Policy, return for first reading
203.2 Adoption of Administration Rules & Regulations, mark reviewed
203.4 Ad Hoc Committees, mark reviewed
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