MACS reviews start of new year
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The Mount Ayr Board of Education held an hour-long special meeting on Thursday, September 5, immediately going into closed session to review or discuss records which are required to be kept confidential as authorized by Section 21.5(1)(a) of the Open Meetings law.
Upon coming out of closed session, the board unanimously approved a late open enrollment request out of the district.
The following week, board members learned enrollment is slightly down, the sixth grade transition is going well, and discussed yearly goals at their regular meeting on Monday, September 9.
Preliminary enrollment
Elementary principal Chris Elwood shared that after registration was completed, there are presently 280 students enrolled in PK-5th grade. Current student numbers for each grade-level includes:
PK – 37 (3 sections)
Kindergarten – 48 (3 sections)
1st Grade – 32 (2 sections)
2nd Grade – 39 (2 sections)
3rd Grade – 48 (3 sections)
4th Grade – 37 (2 sections)
5th Grade – 39 (2 sections)
The average number of students per grade is roughly 40 students for the 24-25 school year, which is slightly lower than past years. The grade level average has been around 44 students per grade during the 2021-2022 and the 2023 -2024 school years.
Although secondary principal Josh Vanderflught did not have final numbers to share, he reported 15 students open enrolled out of the district this year, while 9 students open enrolled into the district.
Sixth grade transition
Board member Russell Schuitema asked how the sixth grade move from the elementary to the secondary building was going.
Principal Elwood reported that they are not nearly as cramped this year, as they were able to move fourth grade to the hallway where the sixth grade used to be.
In 2023-2024, around 355 students were in the elementary building, and presently there are 280 students. With 75 fewer students in the elementary building, they are able to utilize more space for other needs, including special education.
Secondary principal Josh Vanderflught reported the sixth grade move to the middle school/high school building has gone smoothly and he is receiving positive student feedback.
“The students have been great and have picked up on routines and procedures well,” stated Vanderflught.
“That speaks volumes about all the preparation you’ve done,” stated board president Patricia (P.J.) West.
Vanderflught noted they made a change to the middle school lunch schedule after the year started. Initially, 120 kids were eating lunch at the same time and some kids were only getting 9-10 minutes to eat.
Eighth graders were shifted to the high school lunch period so students could get 15 of the 20 minute lunch period to eat.
They are keeping eighth graders at a couple tables so they are separate from high school students.
Yearly goals
Secondary principal Josh Vanderflught shared yearly goals for the MS/HS building, which include raising ISASP proficiency to 90% in Math and 95% in ELA. They are also working towards 100% of students showing at least one year of growth in Math and ELA on the ISASP.
Vanderflught also reported all 6-11 students completed MAP and IXL diagnostic testing to assist in setting student growth goals. Math and ELA teachers use the data to provide targeted skill instruction to students and supplement their curriculum.
Superintendent Jason Shaffer reviewed past board goals, and the board discussed whether to add a new goal focusing on bullying prevention, student retention, or another student related goal.
Ultimately, the board tabled yearly goals until the October meeting, providing more time to reflect and discuss.
Building repairs
Superintendent Jason Shaffer reported that additional roof damage from hail was caught during re-inspection, and repairs to the high school building are scheduled for next June.
The board approved a budget hearing to be held during the October meeting, as they will be spending more than originally planned to cover the cost of roof repairs. Adding $1.5 Million to the budget has been proposed.
Personnel
Three resignations were approved by the board, including Christy Barber who is leaving a kitchen cook vacancy.
Chris Elwood and Michael Moran are switching middle school coaching positions for the 24-25 school year. Both resigned from their current coaching contract, and Elwood was then approved to coach MS basketball, and Moran will coach MS baseball.
New contracts were also approved for Ashton Trullinger as wrestling cheer coach, Chris Piperno as HS baseball coach, and Nicole (Minnick) Thomas who will run the concession stand.
Other business
During regular monthly business, the board approved:
Appointing P.J. West as the state delegate assembly representative;
Southwest Iowa Apex Consortium Agreement for FY24 for student behavioral support if needed;
A monthly First Net service contract for a cell phone to use in the event of a power outage;
An out of state trip for the FFA for the national convention in Indianapolis, IN, paid out of funds raised for their activity account;
A long list of fundraising requests;
Three policies related to chronic absenteeism and truancy and compulsory attendance as part of a Iowa law change effective July 1 (second reading waived);
Disposal of a bus purchased in 2009 that will be salvaged for parts;
Six early graduation requests including five seniors who will finish at the end of the first semester, and one junior who will graduate at the end of the 24-25 year:
– Ellyott Overholser
– Talan Stark
– Jayden Levy
– Chaddlan Suppinger
– Alaina Doolittle
– Matthew Mate (Jr.)
Elementary events
Elementary principal Chris Elwood reported that FFA students and advisor Morgan Quick will be putting on a farm safety day for 3-5th grade students at the elementary on the afternoon of Friday, September 13.
Grandparent days will be held for kindergarten, second and fourth grade this year.
The kindergarten class taught by Katie Coulson is welcoming grandparents on October 4.
Kristen Graham’s kindergarten class will host grandparents on October 11.
The kindergarten class taught by Mabel Trujillo will see grandparents on October 18.
Second grade is hosting grandparents in Jody Greene’s classroom on November 8, and Jessica Showalter’s classroom on November 15.
Fourth grade is welcoming grandparents to Stasia Nickle’s classroom on April 4, and Julie Shields classroom on April 11.
