March 28, 2024

NCSD school board to consider intercom update

Professional development agreement, summit also on docket

Keeping in line with Newton Community School District’s efforts to update all of its campuses’ software and technology, the school board is scheduled to consider acceptance of a bid for a new intercom and paging system.

Tim Bloom, NCSD director of business services, said the system installation would impact all four elementary schools and the high school. If the NCSD Board of Education approves the bid, Emerson Hough Elementary School would be the first campus to install and test the new system before the end of the school year.

The new Berg Middle School will be exempt from the system upgrade. Bloom confirmed an updated intercom and paging system in the schools was one of the many items included in the school district’s capital improvement plan.

HRS Summit

Multiple staff members would like to travel to the High Reliability School (HRS) Summit from July 9 to 11 in Denver. The NCSD school board will consider the approval of faculty’s travel, lodging and participation in the summit.

Bret Miller, director of PreK-12 curriculum, will present the item to the school board and also provide an update on HRS framework. Bloom said district instructional Leaders may also attend the school board meeting. Federal grant funds will help pay for the professional development trip.

According to the HRS website, the summit will allow staff to learn skills that “can help address your school or district’s unique needs and goals” with the help of HRS experts.

Capturing Kids’ Hearts

The school board is scheduled to approve further professional development tools for staff. Board members will vote whether to approve the 2019-20 Capturing Kids’ Hearts District by Design agreement prepared by The Flippen Group.

The agenda item will be presented by NCSD Director of Human Resources Laura Selover. Bloom said The Flippen Group is expected to visit the Newton school district in July for a few days to conduct professional development for new teachers or staff members that have not gone through the training.

“Then we open it up to other districts to have them come here as well,” Bloom said. “So we’d be like a host for that. (The Flippen Group) comes here for a few days during the year. There’s a leadership blueprint update and then they also come on site to the buildings throughout the year.”

In other action Monday, the school board will:

• Receive a communications update about the Aurora Heights Elementary School Student Council’s successful coin drive for the Jasper County Animal Rescue League.

• Listen to a superintendent’s report detailing the latest enrollment summary, attendance data, transiency report and an update of the Iowa State Assessment of Student Progress report.

• Discuss a school board policy update.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com