By Elaine Rassel
Mr. Boekhout, a local contractor and a couple of other concerned people had met recently at the Cleghorn Softball Field to discuss what could be done to improve it. At Monday night’s meeting, Mr. Boekhout spoke on the necessity of making five improvements to the softball field located at Cleghorn. The 45’ x 65’ Batting Cage concrete in area east of field would be relocated. Present standards would be reused which included concrete, anchor bolts, electric, pullies, cables, black dirt to fill the old location, and grass seed. The cost for this improvement would be $11,979.
A concrete sidewalk from dugout to bleacher pad (110’ X 10’) would cost $6,600. This would make more room available for spectators to bring their lawn chairs rather than going up in the bleacher to sit.
It will cost $15,775 to remove and replace backstop, that is showing wear, and all present 6’ fencing.
The high school construction class will build a new shed to be used for mower and equipment storage at a cost of $5,500. In the past, these items have been stored in the old school by whoever owned it, without any charge.
$3,000 would improve the present concession stand and restrooms. The total cost for the softball field to be improved would cost $42,854. There is a possibility that some labor would not be charged. This field has been in need of the aforementioned improvements for quite some time. With the cost of new materials going up, now is the time to do it.
The school calendar for 2022-2023 was approved. It was pretty much the same as last years. School would start on August 23 and the last day of school would be May 25.
(Hopefully there isn’t something that will change this!)
Holidays observed are Labor Day (Sept. 5); Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 24); New Year’s Day (Jan. 1); President’s Day (Feb. 20); and Memorial Day (May 29).
Important Dates are Sept. 23 (1st Qtr. Mid-term); Nov. 18 (2nd Qtr Mid-term); Feb. 3 (3rd Qtr. Mid-term) and April 21 (4th Qtr. Mid-term).
Graduation Requirements Policy 505.5 Revision was approved. Students must successfully complete the courses required by the board and Iowa Department of Education in order to graduate. It is the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure that students complete grades one through twelve and that high school students complete 54 credits prior to graduation. The following credits will be required: Language Arts (8 credits); Science (6 credits); Mathematics (6 credits); Social Studies (6 credits); Physical Education (3 credits); Health (2 credits); Personal Finance (1 credit); Work Place Readiness (1 credit) and Electives (21 credits). The required courses of study will be reviewed by the board annually.
Beginning with the class of 2022, graduation requirements for special education students will include successful completion of four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies and three years of science.
The Non-Discrimination Statement Policy 102.E1 Revision was approved. Added to the original Non-Discrimination policy is: The Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn Community School District offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study: Family & Consumer Science, Agriculture, Business & Industrial Technology.
It was approved to have the following people on the SIAC (School Improvement Advisory Committee): Ellie Hilbrands, Keegan Stevens, Wendy Hauschildt, Tyler Prunty, Chad Alesch, Laurie Tentinger, Jeremy Ahlers, and Erica Pepper.
Resignations from Julie Letsche (teacher), Charlene Nafe (Paraprofessional) (Marcus) and Laurie Lamb (Remsen) were approved. Julie Letsche was thanked for her many years (37) of service.
More bids will be required for technology purchases asked for and was tabled until the February meeting.
MMCRU Middle School/Remsen Elementary Principal Toby Young’s report is as follows: TK through 8th grade students began FAST testing during the Winter (January 3-February 4) testing window. All TK-8th grade student sill take the FAST assessment 3 times per year (Fall, Winter, Spring).
Winter SRI State Report is due on January 29.
Middle School 1st Semester Honor Roll_Principal’s Honor Roll (13) with a percentage of 4.0%; High Honor Roll (98) with a percentage of 3.5-3.99%; and Honor Roll (42) with a percentage of 3.0-3.49 %. 83% of our Middle School students attained the Honor Roll for the 1st Semester (Outstanding Job!)
Building and District PD days are held typically two Wednesday’s a month. PLC collaboration, curriculum updates, and building initiatives have been the main focus. Our TK-4 buildings will be investing in a new Reading curriculum and plan to have it purchased by the end of February. We continue to plan for the 2022-2023 school year and want to have a great professional development schedule in place before the end of this school year.
JH (Junior High) Girls Basketball began Jan. 4 with the first game Jan. 18 @ Kingsley-Pierson. There are 21 girls participating with 7 eighth grade girls and 14 seventh grade girls. JH Wrestling began Jan. 4 with the first meet Jan. 17 @ Spencer. There are 11 eighth grade and 2 seventh graders participating.
The JH Spring Play, “Wagon Wheel’s A-Rollin” has 42 student participating. Play times are April 1 @ 7 p.m. and April 2 @ 2 p.m.
Upcoming Events include Jan. 20_Girls’ BB vs Le Mars, Gehlen Catholic; Jan. 21 is Middle School Lock-In from 3:30 to 10 p.m. Jan. 24 the Girls’ BB vs. Hinton; JH Wrestling @ Sheldon; Jan. 26 is 1:25 p.m. Dismissal for teacher PD; Jan. 27 is GBB @ Akron-Westfield; Jan. 27 Wrestling @ Cherokee; Jan. 31 GBB @ West Sioux.
Feb. 1 GBB vs South O’Brien; Feb. 3 GBB @ Le Mars; Feb. 4 is 3Q Midterm; Feb. 7 GBB vs Remsen St. Mary’s; Feb. 7 Wrestling @ Cherokee; Feb. 8 GBB vs HMS; Feb. 9 is 1:25 p.m. Dismissal (Teacher PD); Feb. 10 GBB vs HLP; Feb. 11 NO SCHOOL (Teacher PD); Feb. 14 GBB vs Akron-Westfield; Feb. 17 GBB vs West Sioux and Feb. 21 NO SCHOOL for President’s Day.
The Remsen building has openings for Teacher_substitutes; JH Football Coach, JH Boy’s Basketball Coach and Paraprofessional-Substitutes.
MMCRU Marcus Elementary and MMCRU High School Principal Travis Sprague reported the following: The MMCRU Marcus Elementary and MMCRU High School completed a successful 1st semester and have launched into 2nd semester full steam. Finding substitutes for our teahers and support staff has been a significant challenge. Our boiler system has created difficulties as well. I am proud of what my staff and students have accomplished so far this school year.
In terms of high school honor roll for 2nd quarter: (20) students were named to the Principal’s Honor Roll (4.0%); (72) students were named to the High Honor Roll (3.5% and above), and (42) students were named to the Honor Roll (3.0% and above).
For 1st semester honor roll: (21) students were named to the principal’s Honor Roll (4.0%), there were (72) students named to the High Honor Roll (3.5% and above), and (45%) students named to the Honor Roll. Nearly 3/4 of our high school student body received some type of distinction during 2nd quarter and/or 1st semester.
A blood drive was held on Wednesday, January 12 with significant student and staff donations.
Current Classroom Numbers: PK: 30 (2 sections); TK: 9 (1 section); K: 22 (2 sections); First grade: 27 (2 sections); Second grade: 30 (2 sections); Third grade: 31 (2 sections); Fourth grade: 22 (1 section). Elementary Total: 171 students.
9th grade; 49; Tenth grade has 55 students; Eleventh grade has 50 (2 foreign exchange students, 3 alternative school students, 1 dual-enrolled home school student). Grade 12 has 38 students (1 alternative school student). High School Total: 192 students 92 foreign exchange, 4 alternative school; 1 dual-enrolled home school)
January 26 there is a 2-Hour Early Out for Professional Development. Feb. 4 is 3rd Quarter midterm. February 9 there is a 2-Hour Early Out for PD. Feb. 11 there is NO SCHOOL for Professional Development.
Current Openings in Marcus include 1 Elementary Paraprofessional; 1 High School Paraprofessional; H.S. Science (2022-2023 School Year); Elementary Teacher for (2022-2023 School Year); Substitute Teachers and Paraprofessionals; a Custodian.
Principal Sprague also informed the Boards of Dashboard Reflection of 021-2022 School Year (1st Semester). This included Standardized Tests assessments for Elementary grades and the same for High School; Attendance for both; Failure Rate (Percent of Student Who failed at Least 1 Class); Numbers of Students and Per Cent for Extracurricular Involvement: Football, Volleyball, Cross country, Archery, Cheerleading,Boy’s Basketball; Girls’ Basketball; Bowling; Wrestling; Dance; Boys’ Track, Girls’ Track; Baseball; Boys’ and Girls’ Golf; Softball, Skills USA; FFA; FCCLA; and Speech.
Also included were Fine Arts Involvement (Choir and Band) and CTE/Art Involvement that included Industrial Tech, Agriculture, and Art.
Hours of College Credit Earned-2016-2017 were 219; 2017-2018 were 468; 2018-2019 were 336; 2019-2020 were 462; 2020-2021 were 576 and 2021-2022 (First Semester) were 302.
Superintendent’s Report was as follows: The planning for the MMC building improvement continues. We continue working on finishing up issues and making last decisions before we have the project bid out in early March. This week I am meeting to decide on door hardware throughout, and finalize the mechanical and electrical systems that go in the new facilities.
The R-U projects were agreed upon by the RU board last month. Norm TeKrony of EDA was informed of the RU board’s action. EDA will be putting together a contract for the design work and will get that to us shortly. They will wait to finalize the design until we know the result of the Revenue Purpose statement election in March. In order to finance the entire project at RU, it will be necessary to pass a Revenue Purpose Statement during a special election in March, which would allow the RU district to access the one-cent sales tax monies an additional 20 years through 2049. We are conducting a Revenue purpose statement election in both districts. Both districts would need to have 50% + one vote in order to have a successful outcome during the election in March. If the election fails at RU, we will need to pare down the project to only cover what we can afford using the ESSER funds. I plan on writing an article regarding the purpose for the Revenue Purpose Statement election and put it in the Marcus News and Remsen Bell and attach my name and names of board members after you have a chance to review it. I would plan on having the article published the week prior to the election on March 1. Please give me your feedback on this plan. We want to give ourselves the best chance of success in both districts.
We have been made aware of the impending retirements of Julie Letsche, 1st grade teacher at MMC Elementary and Laurie Lamb, 3rd grade teacher at RU Elementary. So far, I know of no other definite retirements. I wish to thank both Julie and Laurie for their dedicated service to their students and families for all of these years.
We have had all kinds of issues with heating in the MMC building the last few weeks. Jason Brees of Trane has been at MMC nearly full-time as of late to patch up our systems. It’s going to be hard enough to get through this year. I’m very nervous about getting through another winter next year before the entire system is replaced. But we won’t have a choice. I’m very glad we had a mild week this past week. I hope the winter continues to be very mild. We will need to continue to invest in our systems, much like patching up an old car, until we get through the 2022-23 school year.
We will have a board workshop led by Lou Ann Gvist, Board Development Director of the Iowa Association of School Boards, for new and veteran school board members on February 21, which is our usual board meeting date. We will do a work session beginning at 6 p.m. for the workshop, which should take around 90 minutes, and will follow with the regular board meeting. Plan on a long evening on February 21.
We need to pick out and approve members for the SIAC (School Improvement Advisory Committee) committee at this month’s board meeting. The board presidents shared some names of individuals with me last week from each district for whom we will be seeking the both boards’ approval tonight.
We need to approve the 2022-23 calendar at this month’s board meeting. It will look very much like this year’s calendar. We need to hold a public hearing for five minutes at the beginning of the board meeting to allow the public to provide comments on the proposed calendar.
The MMC Regular Board Meeting met in a joint session with RU Board members on Monday, January 17, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. at Remsen. RU members present were :Loutsch, Tentinger, Penning, and Harpenau. Absent was Krier. MMC members present were Prunty, Leavitt, Dreckman, and Staab. Absent was Olson.