MPCSD evaluating 1:1 technology, finalized 2019 legislative priorities

The one-to-one technology program will be evaluated in the Mt. Pleasant Community School District this year.

The School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) suggested an assessment to determine if the district?s one-to-one program is making a positive impact on student learning. The district spends approximately $250,000 for one-to-one technology devices.

?It would be good to have an assessment like this as we consider our physical plant equipment levy,? Superintendent John Henriksen said at a school board meeting on Monday, Aug. 13. The local voter-approved levy will be renewed fall 2019.

Students and teachers will be evaluated on how they are using one-to-one technology through classroom evaluations, interviews and surveys to develop an action plan to help the district improve.

The assessment will be done by Steff 7 Solutions for $6,000 and will start Oct. 1.

In other news, the district presented their 2019 legislative priorities that will go to the Iowa Association of School Boards. Every year, the association asks for districts input to know how to focus their lobbying efforts. The MPCSD Policy Committee determined four key priorities for Mt. Pleasant.

The priorities are mental health, teacher leadership and development, Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) and more permanent solutions to transportation inequities and funding.

The mental health priority is for increased support, funding and access for mental health services for children statewide. Teacher leadership and development seeks to support research-based programs and funding to develop strong instructional leadership including teacher leadership and development, beginning teacher mentoring programs, and quality professional development programs.

The district is also supporting the repeal of the Dec. 31, 2019 sunset on SAVE, the statewide penny sales tax for school infrastructure.

During the board meeting, the council finalized the agreement with Four Oaks.

The district?s contract with Four Oaks is to bring trauma-informed resources to Mt. Pleasant for $10,200.

?We deal with a lot of students that deal with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs),? Henriksen said. ?This would be some resources to help us learn more about the challengings those students have and how we can best serve them.?

The next Mt. Pleasant Community School District board meeting will be a board work session on Monday, Aug. 27, at 6 p.m.