Highlights from the May 7th Board of Education Meeting
Below are highlights of the May 7th Board of Education meeting.
Please remember, these are just highlights and should not be considered the official minutes.
During the work session, the Board of Education heard updates from the L-M School Foundation in addition to presentations on enrollment projections and the district’s digital ecosystem and innovations.
Shelley Woods, Linn-Mar School Foundation’s Executive Director, shared that the Foundation’s efforts are focused on supporting the district, enriching the educational experiences of our students, and helping to provide funds for classrooms, curriculum, and enrichment programs and materials.
The Foundation provides support and expertise to a variety of designated funds throughout the district including the Growl Prowl, Robotics, LMHS Band and Orchestra, PTO fundraisers, Our Champions for Kids fund and Music Connects. The Mane Event, which is hosted annually by the Foundation, raised more than $42,000 in 2018. In September 2017, the district partnered with Marion Independent Schools for Dine Out for Our Schools. This new initiative has raised more than $10,000.
The Foundation will soon host Pan American Steel Drum performances and a senior PRIDE Walk in our elementary schools. The pride walks will take place May 24-25, giving our graduating seniors the opportunity to visit their respective elementary schools in their caps and gowns!
RSP & Associates presented a detailed report on enrollment projections and demographics in the district. Enrollment projections from the report show:
- Enrollment will increase by about 500 students (6.7%) over the next five years
- K-12 enrollment will be close to 8,000 students by 2022-23
- By 2022-23, enrollment in grades 6-8 will be >1,900 students
It was also noted that the greatest enrollment increases have happened in the primary elementary grades and enrollment tends to increase from grade-to-grade each year at the elementary level and stabilize in the middle and high school grades. The report recommends the district consider options to improve over-utilized schools and increase educational teaching spaces due to the availability of significant land for residential development. The entire RSP Enrollment Report will be posted when the official meeting minutes are approved by the Board.
The district’s digital ecosystem and innovations were at the center of a presentation by Bob Read, Director of Innovations. The school board learned firsthand how our students work with Google Expeditions, Breakout Boxes, and MaKey Makey.
Read shared that the district’s Digital Learning Committee (DLC) sets the vision for the Teaching & Learning Department as well as for the district’s digital learning.
The department’s efforts include:
- Curriculum and instructional design
- Digital citizenship and literacy
- Professional development for staff
- Device allocation, including possible 1:1 planning
Read also noted that the district will present at the School Administers of Iowa conference on August 9th and that the district will host a Linn-Mar Innovation Day in October 2018.
During the regular meeting, the board approved bond language for a possible September vote. The board also discussed their recent visit to Westfield Elementary, the May 5th Coffee & Conversation, and the Reading Recovery program. During the discussion, the board asked the administration to provide additional information about the Reading Recovery program.
The next meeting of the Board of Education will be May 21st at the Learning Resource Center.
To view the full agenda and exhibits please visit the Board/Policy website.