Melissa Blohm

This document outlines the strategic direction for East Marshall CSD, focusing on its mission, values, vision, priorities, and goals. The plan is structured around three key priorities: ensuring academic excellence for all students, modernizing facilities to support sustainable enrollment growth, and building strong systems, leadership, and community engagement. Corresponding goals include strengthening community trust and growing the district, undertaking facility improvements through a general obligation bond, and actively recruiting, developing, and retaining exceptional staff.

The agenda for the regular monthly board meeting and public hearing includes administrative items such as approving the agenda, hearing citizen concerns, and managing the consent agenda, which covers 'Good Things in Schools' updates, approval of bills and financial statements, donation requests, volunteer coaches, interagency special education agreements, and volunteer positions. Key discussion items involve the possible changes to the NICL Conference, approval of an Interagency Contract Agreement with Iowa Net High, discussion regarding the Governor's Recommended SSA Increase and State of State Address, discussion of Non-certified Substitute Pay Practices, approval of an SBRC Request for River Hills Consortium Sped. Cost, discussion of past educational consulting services, discussion of the 101 Percent Budget Guarantee Resolution, the Superintendent Report, and a discussion of the Board and Administrator Newsletter. The meeting also covers approvals for Open Enrollment requests and contract actions (resignations, retirements, contracts).

The East Marshall Community School District held a public hearing for the 2020-21 budget, presenting a property tax rate of $14.21320. The regular meeting included discussions and actions on various topics such as approving the agenda with an addition for a Continuing Learning Model, approving the consent agenda items, authorizing the redemption of general obligation school refunding bonds, approving the proposed FY21 annual budget, and approving the 101 percent budget guarantee resolution. The board also discussed and approved a pandemic resolution suspension of policy, a voluntary approach to continuing learning, a pandemic temporary supplemental policy, the graduate list for 2020 graduation, and a special meeting date. The superintendent provided updates on the food service grant, school building closures, waived ISASP assessments, and district office closures to outside patrons.

The meeting included a presentation for a band trip planned for April 2021, where the itinerary and positive student experiences were discussed, emphasizing that the trip is optional and funded by the students, with potential fundraising opportunities. The board discussed and approved temporary payroll adjustments due to the COVID-19 virus, deciding to pay hourly employees for 12 days off and allowing them to use available leave for the remaining 5 days. The FY21 annual budget tax rate publication was discussed and approved, maintaining the same tax rate as the previous year. The board also approved Wellmark quotes with a 4.49% increase and discussed non-certified substitute pay practices. Furthermore, they approved facility assessment bids from Estes. The superintendent provided updates on the next board meeting date, interviews for teaching positions, continuous monitoring of COVID-19, communications regarding virtual learning, and ongoing meetings with board members. An exempt session concerning collective bargaining was also held.

The agenda included discussion on Governor Reynold's recommendation in response to COVID-19, focusing on the Return to Learn application and communication with parents. Various approaches to Voluntary Continuous Learning and Required Continuous Learning methods were discussed, considering their positive and negative aspects. The potential for associates to join Zoom classes and summer school options were also discussed. Initial discussions on graduation were held, with a decision pending until after May 1st. The board also approved the bills as presented.