The E-ConnectionA biweekly publication of the Johnston Community School District

September 25, 2017

Johnston Community School District

www.johnstoncsd.org

BOARD OF EDUCATIONGreg Dockum,

PresidentJill Morrill,

Vice PresidentJustin AllenDeb Henry

Steven HopperJeanie Kerber

Matt StahrDr. Corey Lunn,

Superintendent

OUR MISSIONWe commit all district resources to guide the

learning of each student, to graduate as confident learners with character,

knowledge and the skills to excel in any endeavor they

pursue.

VISIONCreating a culture of

excellence where students come first.

This newsletter is a publication of the

Communications Office for the parents and staff in the Johnston Community School District. Call 278-

0470 with questions or concerns.

Living in a Dragon Nation Check out pictures from around the district as students and staff

celebrate homecoming week!

The Dragons will take on Des Moines Roosevelt on Friday, Sept. 29 at Dragon Stadium. The ninth grade game starts at 4:45 p.m.; Varsity game begins at 7:30 p.m. Homecoming coronation will take place before the Varsity game. Photo courtesy of Pat Ward/Pat Ward Photography.

Highlights from the September 25 board meeting are reported here. For full minutes, go to the eBoards website.

Superintendent’s ReportConstruction Update: The JMS front façade will be completed at the beginning of October; front entrance display will be complete by the end of September. The new Wallace and Johnston Early Learning Academy building is progressing – walls are going up and many furniture discussions are happening. The Adminsitrative Resource Center visioning process took place on September 27.

Acknowledgements: The first-ever Maker Day Faire was held on Sunday, Sept. 24 at the Johnston Public Library/Simpson Barn. There was a great turnout, many activity stations, and a lot of ideas generated. Kudos to Ann Wiley, Nancy Buryanek, Sara Rischardson, Eric Melton, and the many individuals who helped with the event.

ReportsFinancial Year End Report FY 17 (Jan Miller Hook): An overview of the General Ledger Fund Balance, Special Ed Deficit and the Unspent Authority for FY 17 was presented.

Approval of Financial Depositories (Jan Miller Hook): Iowa Code Section 279.33 requires the Board Treasurer to furnish the Board June 30 depository information annually. The information was presented and approved by the board.

Review of Election Results (Bev Lyons): On September 12, 2017, 2,942 votes were cast and Justin Allen, Jeanie Kerber and Steven Hopper were elected. These official results were recorded in the minutes.

Recognition of Retiring Board Members (Corey Lunn): Thank you for your service:• Board President Mark Toebben - 2013-2017 (2015-2017 Board President)• Board Vice President Brad Ortmeier - 2013-2017 (2016-2017 Vice President)• Board Member Marci Cordaro - 2009-2017 (2011-2012 Board President and 2015-2016 Board Vice President)

Induction of New Board Members (Bev Lyons): Three new board members were inducted to the Johnston Board of Education: • Justin Allen• Jeanie Kerber• Steven Hopper

Election of new officers: • President: Greg Dockum• Vice President: Jill Morrill

--Meeting was adjourned. A new meeting with Board President Greg Dockum was started.--

ReportsGeneral Obligation School Capital Loan Notes Matt Gillaspie (Johnston Community School District’s Financial Advisor with Piper Jaffray): Matt Gillaspie, Johnston Community School District’s financial advisor with Piper Jaffray, presented updated information regarding the General Obligation School Capital Loan Notes along with information regarding remaining funding of the projects (High School, Middle School, Wallace Elementary, and ARC).

Use of Innovation Funds (Ann Wiley and Chris Bergman): One outcome from the Innovation Academy and Portrait of a Learner experiences was a desire for hands-on, open-ended experiences that call for critical thinking, creative problem solving and collaboration. The charge of our team was to create low-prep, high-level challenge experiences that minimize teacher preparation and maximize instructional time for all buildings across the district.

First reading of policies (Matt Stahr): Policy 102 Equal Educational Opportunity with Regulations and Exhibits; Policy 104 Anti-Bullying/Anti-Harassment with Regulations and Exhibits; Policy 401.1 Equal Opportunity Employment with New Exhibits; Policy 301 Administrative Structure; Omitting Policy 401.25 Email Retention with the Approval of Policy 901.1 Electronic Communications; Policy 604.11 Academic Competition; New Policy 710.5 Reduction of Food Waste and 710.5R1 Reduction of Food Waste Regulations; Policy 903.2 Community Resource Persons and Volunteers.

Board Highlights from September 25

Action ItemsApproval of Out-of-State Travel Request to Indiana (Bruce Amendt): The High School Journalism Department requested out-of-state travel to Dallas, Texas on Thursday, November 16 through Sunday, November 19, 2017. This trip is the National Scholastic Press Association’s National Journalism Convention. Students will be absent from school on Thursday, November 16 and Friday, November 17. The board approved.

Approval of Supplemental Aid for Special Education Deficit (Jan Miller Hook): The Johnston Community School District requested allowable growth and a supplement aid payment for our negative special education balance for the 2016-2017 school year. We understand the amount of the supplement aid payment will be calculated by the Department of Management after all special education balances have been finalized. The board approved.

Approval of SBRC for Modified Supplemental Authority for LEP/ELL Programs (Jan Miller Hook): The Johnston Community School District requested modified supplemental aid authority for our LEP/ELL expenditures in excess of funding in the amount of $127,622.27 for fiscal year 2017. The Board approved.

Approval of Bond Resolution (Jan Miller Hook): As part of the district funding of our facility projects, the District will offer approximately $8,335,000 General Obligation School Capital Loan Notes, Series 2017 for public sale. The board approved.

Approval of Certificate of Substantial Completion for the Johnston High School Adaptive Reuse Project (Jan Miller Hook): Approval was needed for the Certificate of Substantial Completion for the Johnston High School Adaptive Reuse project (current Johnston Middle School). The work performed under the contract has been reviewed and found to be substantially complete. The board approved.

Approval of Certificate of Substantial Completion for the new Johnston High School Athletic Facility (Jan Miller Hook): Approval was needed for the Certificate of Substantial Completion for the Johnston High School Athletic Facility. The work performed under the contract has been reviewed and found to be substantially complete. The board approved.

Approval of JHS Adaptive Reuse Project (current Johnston Middle School) Change Orders (Jan Miller Hook): The following change orders for the JHS Adaptive Reuse Project (current Johnston Middle School) were reviewed by the Owners Committee and recommended for approval; the board approved. • De Vries Electric Change Order #4 $3,004.00 (Locker Room Exit Lights)• Pleva Mechanical Change Order #4 $1,183.00 (Insulated Refrigerant Lines)

Approval of JMS Adaptive Reuse to Wallace Project Change Orders (Jan Miller Hook): The following change orders for the JMS Adaptive Reuse to Wallace Project were reviewed by the Owners Committee and recommended for approval; the board approved. • Lansink Change Order #2 $961.00 (Millwork Demolition $567 and Wood Stud Wall Demolition $961)• Orning Glass Change Order #1 $874.00 (Mirrors in Corridor A105)• Phillips’ Floors, Inc. Change Order #1 $1,915.00 (Special Needs Flooring)

Approval of Athletic Facility Change Orders (Jan Miller Hook): The following change orders for the Johnston High School Athletic Facility were reviewed by the Owners Committee and recommended for approval; the board approved. • American Fence Company Change Order #2 $5,469.00 (Labor and Materials to Install Fence Top of Team Building)• De Vries Electric Change Order #4 $10,814.00 (Additional Exit Lights Athletic Field $6, 451 and Electrical cal Changes Required at $4,363)• Northern Cedar Service Co., Inc. Change Order #2 $900.00 (Add Fence Tip of Team Building (roofing work)The board approved.

The next board meeting is October 9 at 6 p.m. at the Johnston Administrative Resource Center.

Timber Ridge Classroom Donates School Supplies to Hurricane Harvey VictimsMrs. Woods and her class at Timber Ridge adopted a classroom from Texas City, Texas and recently sent them FIVE boxes full of school supplies after their school was severely damaged by Hurricane Harvey. Mrs. Woods said class members, their parents, and friends of the classroom went above and beyond to help fellow students.

It’s a Pink Out on October 6 On October 6, become part of the global community standing up to cancer through the Pink Out and “One Night, One Fight” event.

After the Oct. 6 home football game against Sioux City North, fans can join JHS cheerleaders on the track to walk a lap in memory of those lost to cancer and in support of cancer survivors and those currently battling the disease. There will be various other activities throughout the evening in conjunction with the “One Night, One Fight” theme.

Dig Pink/Spike Blue with the Johnston Volleyball ClubIt is time again for the annual Dig Pink/Spike Blue event, hosted by the Johnston Volleyball team. This is the 10th year of the event to raise awareness – and funds – for breast and colon cancer.

The big match will happen on Tuesday, Oct. 10 vs. Ft. Dodge. This effort has raised around $70,000 over the years and allowed Johnston volleyball players to make connections with local Johnston businesses in support of the event. Fans are encouraged to wear Dig Pink/Spike Blue shirts to the game on October 10. There will also be door prizes, a raffle, and silent auction for a hand-made Johnston spirit quilt.

Third Graders Receive Dictionaries from Johnston KiwanisIn standing with their annual tradition, the Johnston Kiwanis recently presented Johnston third graders with a new, age-appropriate dictionary. The dictionaries are a gift to the students in the hope they will learn the power of words and the importance of education and communication.

The Johnston Kiwanis supports a variety of other school and youth programs by providing Johnston Dragon scholarships to graduating seniors, supporting ChildServe, Miracle League

and Special Olympic programs. The Johnston Kiwanis is a local organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world – one child at a time. For more information, please go to www.kiwanis.org or email d.hudson@mchsi.com.

JHS Debate Teams Do Well at Valley MidAmerica CupCongratulations to Prakhyath and Kate, Champions of the Valley MidAmerica Cup Debate Tournament in Public Forum and Nika and Jack for making it to octofinals of the Valley MidAmerica Cup Debate Tournament in Public Forum.

District News & Announcements

• Arts & Entertainment• Booster Club & PTO Events• Camps & Scouts• District Events

• Educational Opportunities• Sports & Activities• Volunteering & Fundraising

Digital BackpackBe sure to check the digital backpack portion of the website for community organization happenings. Click on the category links below for more details. Fill out this online form to submit a flyer or event.