Michelle Rathe

This document provides an update on the Cedar Falls Schools District 5-year Technology Plan, highlighting ongoing goals and implementation progress. Key strategic areas include comprehensive support for teachers through technology integration leaders and professional development conferences, enhancing student learning opportunities through strategic device deployment (iPads, Chromebooks) and robust network infrastructure. The plan also emphasizes continuous monitoring via data collection, promoting digital citizenship, and fostering online collaboration among students and staff.

The forum focused on the long-term facility planning for the school district, addressing challenges such as student enrollment growth, infrastructure needs, and the alignment of learning spaces with 21st-century educational goals. Discussions included the capacity and size of elementary and junior high schools, the need for facility renovations to support small group and project-based learning, and the impact of these potential projects on the district tax rate. Participants were informed about the district's current facilities, including the need for building additions and the use of portable classrooms at certain sites, as well as the results of recent enrollment studies.

This Social Emotional Learning Framework for the Cedar Falls Community School District outlines a comprehensive PK-12 approach to foster students' social-emotional development. The plan is structured around three core pillars: Prevention, Instruction, and Discipline, each with shared beliefs and educator commitments. It aims to create a robust, inclusive, and supportive educational experience by focusing on positive relationships, personal safety, self-regulation, leadership, and feedback; explicit skills instruction aligned with Iowa's SEL Competencies, modeling, practice, and progress monitoring; and restorative practices coupled with consistent behavior management. The framework is intended to guide the district's work over a three-year initial implementation period.

Students from Cedar Falls High School presented their perspectives on the new high school building, highlighting improvements in facilities and how the new space benefits various school clubs and activities. Key topics discussed included the advantages of the new gymnasium for sports and events, enhanced weightlifting facilities, expanded meeting spaces for organizations like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, DECA, and the volunteer club, as well as improved instructional technology in the foods and science departments. The presentations also touched upon the impact of the new building on music department acoustics and practice room availability.

The committee reviewed the progress and development phase of the new Cedar Falls High School project, including site planning, sustainable building practices, and durable material selection. Discussions focused on the project's construction schedule, the process of finalizing construction documents, and cost estimation strategies to ensure the project remains within the established budget. The team also addressed the bidding process, including the utilization of add alternates and the classification of bid packages, with a plan to maintain project alignment through various market conditions.