By Elaine Rassel
The approved MMCRU Board, District, and Superintendent Goals for 2023-24 are: A. Hold a board workshop focusing on school district finance/strategy for MMCRU; B. Foster/facilitate improvement in instruction/curriculum/test scores in the area of science district-wide; C. Provide opportunities/methods for increasing collaboration between staff to take full advantage of new facilities; D. Develop and implement strategy for the MMCRU Schools; and E. Refine the safety/security protocols for MMCRU Schools. There will be an addition of “Item F” at a later date.
Resignation approved was Mike Olson as Head Softball Coach. Joe Mohning resigned as Assistant Bowling Coach and his Business Manager position. He has been offered the Director of Finance/HR position for the City of Le Mars.
Delegate for the IASB (Iowa School Board) Delegate Assembly is Laura Staab as the preferred delegate with Belinda Leavitt being the alternate. The IASB convention will meet November 15-17.
New/Revised Board Policies were next on the agenda. (Superintendent’s report will explain the reason for the 30 policies.) The policy updates approved were: 104—Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy; 104.R1—Anti-Bullying/Harassment Policy—Investigation Procedures; 213—Public Participation in Board Meetings; 402.02—Child Abuse Reporting; 402.05—Policy; 408.01—Licensed Employee Professional Development; 503.07—Student Disclosure of Identity; 503.07E1—Report of Student Disclosure of Identity; 503.07E2—Request to Update Student Identity; 505.04—Testing Program; 505.05—Graduation Requirements; 507.02—Administration of Medication to Students; 507.2E1—Authorization-Asthma, Airway Constricting, or Respiratory Distress Medication Self-Administration Consent Form;
507.2E2—Parental Authorization and Release Form for the Administration of Medication or Special Health Services to Students; 507.2E3—Parental Authorization and Release Form for Independent Self Carry and Administration of Prescribed Medication of Independent Delivery of Health Services by the Student; 507.2E4—Parental Authorization and Release Form for the Administration of Voluntary School Stock of Over-The-Counter Medication to Students; 601.01—School Calendar; 603.05—Health Education; 605.01—Instructional Materials Selection; 605.02—Instructional and Library Materials Inspection and Display; 605.03—Objection to Instructional and Library Materials; 605.03-R(1)—Objection to Instructional and Library Materials—Reconsideration of Instructional Materials Regulation; 605.3E5—Request to Prohibit a Student from Accessing Specific Instructional Materials; 605.05—School Library;
605.07-R(1)—Use of Information Resources-Regulation; 607.02—Student Health Services; 607.02-R(1)—Student Health Services-Regulation; 804.05—Stock Prescription Medication Supply; 804.5E1—Parental Authorization and Release Form for the Administration of a Voluntary School Supply of Stock Medication for Life Threatening Incidents.
I just put down the headline of the number of the policy. There were 45 pages that dealt with more detailed information. To see all these policies in full content—the school would have these for viewing.
The purchase of bus radios was approved.
Resolution Appointing Paying Agent, Bond Registrar, and Transfer Agent, Bond Registrar and Transfer Agent Agreement and Authorizing the Execution of the Same was introduced and approved.
The tax exemption certificate was approved. Resolution Authorizing the Terms of Issuance and Providing for and Securing the Payment of School Infrastructure Sales, Services and Use Tax Revenue Bonds was introduced and approved.
MMCRU: Marcus Elementary/High School Principal Brandon Weisert reported the following: We have been working diligently to prepare the high school for Open House on August 21st and for our first day with students. At the time of this writing, we are awaiting Fire Marshall approval for occupancy on Friday. I owe a big shout out to our new custodians Chris Poeckes, Kane Mast, Brock Mast, and Tyler Rueter for jumping on board and working around everything going on to help get the classroom ready for students. Also Kevin Felts for getting all of our computers prepped and installing all of the new wireless access points around the building.
August 2nd and 3rd we attended SAI (School Administrators of Iowa) in Des Moines which was a great opportunity to learn and network with other administrators around Iowa. I was able to take away a few things to bring to MMCRU this school year that I hope we can focus our energy around.
Professional Development this year will focus on making adjustments to our elementary CKLA reading curriculum. Last year our teachers got their feet wet and this year we are hoping they will use their collaborative time together to hone in and become more comfortable with it. In high school we will be focusing on taking our priority standards and essentials skills developed last year and ensuring our assessments are matching those skills and standards. From there we can work to develop strong instructional practices to teach more focused and rigorous lessons.
Fall sports have officially begun; our sports numbers are strong. Football (47), Volleyball (27), Cheerleading (17), Dance (14), and Cross Country (17).
Tentative Class Numbers for 2023-2024:
176 enrolled PK-4 (-8 students from 2022-2023)
206 enrolled 9-12 (+6 students from 2022-2023)
Important Dates
August 17: New Teacher Orientation
August 18: Week 0 Football v. Woodbury Central
August 21: Open House (5:00-7:00)
August 23: 1st Day of School
Superintendent Barkel reported on the following: Wiltgen Construction continues to work feverishly to get the high school open for business on the first day of school, which is August 23. Much progress had been made and it will be nip and tuck to see if it will be ready to go. So far, we are sticking with starting on August 23 with all students. If the fire marshal does not grant us occupancy on August 17, we will need to consider going virtual with the high school only for a few days until we are granted occupancy.
We do not have a heavy agenda tonight, except for the 30 board policies that must be adopted/revised in order for us to be in compliance with legislation that was passed by this year’s legislature and signed by the governor. I have listed in the board packet a summary of each policy, as well as each policy listed separately that we need to approve. We have no choice as to whether or not to approve the policies. If we do not approve all 30, we will not be in compliance with Iowa Code.
We are currently in the process of putting together an MMCRU “Branding Guide”. The purpose of this is to standardize our MMCRU Royals brand, and to make sure what we use is consistent. We will share this information with the board and seek their approval before we set anything in stone.
On Monday I will be sharing our staff my encouragement and vision for our combined districts. My theme for this year is “Reach Higher”. With increased competition, and with new facilities coming online shortly, we need to reach higher and pull harder in an effort to be our very best. Our student-athletes this summer have been reaching higher in an effort to improve their game, and give them a better chance for success. As a staff, we need to follow their lead and do the same to reach higher and bring the MMCRU Royals to greater heights then ever before! Also, a primary focus of the “address” is to thank them for agreeing to work this year at MMCRU. With so many districts this fall still having vacant positions, we are fortunate to have so many staff members choose to stay at MMCRU again this year. Please encourage them throughout the year. A little encouragement goes a long way!
There are three items on the agenda that require board approval from either the MMC or RU board because each item exceeds the $5000 limit on what can approved by the superintendent.
Our boards tonight need to select delegates for the IASB Delegate Assembly. The IASB Delegate Assembly votes on issues facing Iowa public schools, and helps set the agenda for the policy arm of the ISBA. Usually we have one delegate from each board serve on this body. I shared information with you about the IASB convention that takes place on November 15-17. We encourage as many of you as possible to attend. The district pays for your hotel and expenses. Let me know if you can attend.
It is our goal to finalize the Board/District/Superintendent goals for the 2023-24 school year. I made some revisions to the list based on the conversation we had in last month’s board meeting, and the list is currently pending approval of the boards.
The Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn Community Schools met jointly with Remsen-Union School in regular meeting in Remsen Monday, August 21, 2023 in regular session at 7 p.m. MMCRU Board members present were Staab, Prunty, Dreckman, Leavitt, and Olson. Absent: No one
After the regular meeting, the Board entered into Exempt Session for SBO (School Business Official) Strategy.