School board hears preschool site visit report
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The results of the state site evaluation of the preschool program was a main topic of discussion at the Monday, June 9 meeting of the Mount Ayr Community Schools board of directors.
The site visit conducted by two individuals from the Iowa Department of Education was the first since the pre-school program was moved into the elementary building this past school year.
Principal Chris Elwood explained the preschool was evaluated using the Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards (IQPPS), and he outlined a number of items the evaluation team recommended so as to better meet those standards.
Of the 21 IQPPS required criteria, Mount Ayr met 17. The remaining four include the following:
• opportunities for families to contribute results of observations from home in the assessment process. Elwood explained plans are now in place to provide those opportunities three times per quarter.
• required educational levels for preschool staff. Elwood explained one staff member was waiting on the delivery of college transcripts.
• provide an outdoor play areas enclosed in fences.
In reference to the fourth item, Elwood explained the current play area is fenced in except for one opening to facilitate snow removal.
To eliminate that opening, the board approved the installation of a sliding gate similar to the gates at the athletic complex.
• ready availability of first aid kits for indoor and outdoor activities. Elwood explained that first aid kits are already available, but occasionally staff forget to bring them outside.
While not required, the site visit evaluators recommended other items such as an increase in the scheduling of child-initiated activities that offer “elongated periods of time for exploration and playful learning” and the inclusion of teacher associates in professional learning opportunities. Elwood stated plans are already in place to address such recommendations.
Other recommendations regarding district policies can be satisfied with documentation sent to the state.
In all, Elwood felt the evaluation reflected well on the first year of the preschool program.
In their summary of the site visit, the state evaluators stated the following: “It is clear the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program and Early Childhood Special Education services in the Mount Ayr Community School District are dedicated to providing a high-quality preschool program. It is evident the teaching staff and district administration are committed to the success of the program.”
Other business
In other business, the board:
• approved the Court Liaison Agreement with the Iowa Judicial Branch. Under the agreement, the state reimburses the district $20,560 toward that position. Donna Warin serves as the district liaison.
• approved participation in the Storm Protection Fund, a consortium of schools that are self-insuring to buy down the deductibles on their wind and hail property insurance. The district would contribute $43,011 to the fund. The new deductible from EMC Insurance for wind and hail coverage is $25,000 per occurrence, not per building. The SPF would help offset that number. A $10,000 deductible remains in effect for all claims other than wind and hail.
It was also noted the district has received approximately $56,000 from FEMA so far for roof repair necessitated by last year’s hail storm.
• approved the hiring of Amy Levine for Special Olympics sponsor and Shannon Shields as prom sponsor. The wrestling cheerleader sponsorship will be split between Victoria Victor (75%) and Amanda Clemens (25%). The board also agreed to pay Isaac Vos for two additional seasons of eSports coaching that were not in his original contract.
• learned the CTE program received two Regional Planning Partnership grants for $8,000 and $5,600. The grants will fund improvements in the Raider CTE Works program and FACS room.
