By Elaine Rassel
Principals, Toby Young and Travis Sprague presented information to the MMCRU boards on MMCRU Remsen Elementary & Middle School and MMCRU Marcus Elementary and MMCRU High School by Iowa Assessments.
The summary of these reports were Assessments for MMCRU (Marcus): Class of 2024 (9th grade) improved proficiency and advanced proficiency in both English/Language Arts and Math (compared to 2019 when in 7th grade).
Class of 2023 (10th grade) improved in proficiency and advanced proficiency in English/Language Arts; Math saw a 2-student increase in not proficient but a 3-student increase in advance proficiency; Science saw a 3-student increase in not proficient but a 4-student increase in advance proficiency (compared to 2019 when in 8th grade).
Class of 2022 (11 grade) saw a significant increase in advance proficiency in English/Language Arts; Math saw a 1-student increase in not proficient but a 6-student increase in advance proficiency (compared to 2019 when in 9th grade).
Elementary comparisons were not possible, however, the data suggests there was no “learning loss” at either the elementary or the high school.
Attendance Elementary saw a record high attendance rate and High School had an above average attendance rate with relatively low unexcused tardies.
ACT Scores above our 5-year average but data might be skewed.
GPA & Failure Rate GPA rose for each grade level. Failure rate was below the 5-year average but higher than last year; plans for more support for our incoming 9th grade students.
College Course Credit We set a record for college credit earn (potential for 576 credits); expect more increases.
Extracurricular Involvement (Goal is 20% student involvement per activity). Met Goal in Football, Volleyball, Cheerleading, Boys Basketball, Archery, Boys Track, Baseball, Softball, FFA, Skills USA, and Speech.
DID NOT MEET GOAL in Cross Country, Girls Basketball, Bowling, Wrestling*, Dance, Girls Track, Boys Golf, and Girls Golf.
Fine Arts Involvement (Goal is 20% student involvement per course). Did Not Meet Goal in Choir and Band.
CTE/Art Involvement (Goal is 30% of seats taken) Met Goal in Industrial Tech, Business, and FCS. Did Not Meet Goal in Agriculture and Art.
Spring/Summer Coaching Contracts were approved for the following: Remsen-Union Coaching Contracts Kendra Knapp (High School Girls Golf); Cam Kuchel (Head High School Baseball); Derrick Marra (Assistant High School Baseball); Darin Rinehart (Assistant High School Track); Colin Youde (Assistant High School Softball); and Toby Young (Junior High Track).
MMC Coaching Contracts_Lonnie Boekhout (Head High School Girls Track); Dave Nicks (Assistant High School Baseball); Mike Olson (Head High School Softball); Mark Schuttler (High School Boys Golf); Lisa Spieler (Assistant High School Track) and Jodi Theisen (Assistant High School Softball).
The Access System print management bid was approved.
It was approved to change the home-school program assistance compensation to $35 per hour. Shari Lehnhoff was approved for Home-School Assistance Program Coordinator.
Morgan Gongaware was approved as Paraprofessional.
The new policies and updates of the 700-policy series were approved. Also approved was the revision of the parent-student handbook.
Superintendent Barkel presented to the boards information in regards to Iowa Code 8B.
Technology purchases were approved. The bond and disclosure counsel engagement agreement with Ahlers & Cooney Attorneys at Law was approved.
The Board/District/Superintendent Goals for 21-22 were approved as: Continue steps to improve facilities at both the Marcus and Remsen centers. Make concrete steps for interaction between community, board and school. Develop instructional technology plan/strategy for MMCRU. Continue committee work of marketing our schools and ramp up efforts of branding and outreach to families in and out of our districts. Continue utilizing IASB opportunities for board development.
Toby Young, Principal MMCRU Middle School/Remsen Elementary reported that summer cleaning is in full swing. Everything is coming together and will be ready to go for the upcoming school year.
2021-2022 School Registration is July 20 (7 a.m.-4 p.m.) and July 21 (12 p.m.-7 p.m.)
2021-22 Open House is August 17 (5p.m.-7 p.m.)
School Begins on Monday, August 23
Job Openings for 2021-2022 at Remsen Site are the following: Elementary Para (2); Middle School Para (2) and Junior High Track Coach.
MMCRU Marcus Elementary/MMCRU High School Principal Travis Sprague reported the following:
The MMCRU Marcus Elementary and MMCRU High School are in full cleaning mode throughout both buildings.
We have installed our HVAC unit in the gym and now are having the gym floor refinished.
Online registration for the 2021-2022 school year has begun and so far has been successful. In-person registration will be on Tuesday, July 20 and Wednesday, July 21.
Summer school will begin on Monday, July 19 and run through Friday, August 6. Mrs. Nieuwenhuis, Mrs. Roberts, and Ms. Seuntjens will be the teachers.
I continue to plan for the upcoming school year in terms of professional development, assisting our student body, and setting our teachers up for success.
Superintendent Barkel reported the following:
The preparation begins for the upcoming school year. We have been updating handbooks and getting organized for the next school year. All positions are nearly hired with the exception of one driver for a special ed student, and some paras. If you know of someone who may be interested in either of those positions, please let me know.
The gym HVAC project is going well at MMC. The project should be completed by the end of the week.
The MMC board needs to approve an agreement with Ahlers and Cooney in order to sell bonds to fund the building project. The design phase is continuing. We are on track with the timetable even though progress seems slow to some. I’m glad for the slow speed in hopes that building costs continue to go down prior to the bid-letting.
We need to renew our board/district/superintendent goals for next year. I have submitted a draft which is in the packet. You will notice that it is very similar to last year’s goals. I believe we still have more work to complete some of them, especially since COVID sidelined so may things. We will need board approval for the draft we finalize.
We will be renewing the 700 Series of board policies tonight having to do with non-instructional services and business operations. We need to do this to stay on schedule with our MMCRU School Policy Review Cycle.
The RU Board is being asked to consider approving the concept of purchasing a Ford Transit vehicle. We do not yet have a vehicle that we can purchase, but we want prior approval by the board, so that if ne becomes available, we can act on it quickly in today’s rather hot used vehicle market. The administration of MMCRU has been working on plans needed to secure funding for ESSER 111 from the federal government. On August 10 we will hold a meeting with individuals representing various stakeholders required from the federal government to examine learning data and decide how to spend the 20% set-aside of funds to address learning loss or to accelerated learning through evidence-based interventions from ESSER 111. Both districts must draft a plan which will include an undated Return-to Learn document, which will be posted on our website and Facebook page, allowing for public comment. We need to follow these procedures and more in order to secure this funding from the federal government.
The MMC Board of Education met in joint session with RU for a Regular meeting on Monday, July 19, 2021 at 6;30 p.m. in MMCRU Media Center at Remsen.
MMC Board members present were: Prunty, Staab and Leavitt. Absent were Dreckman and Olson.