JCSD E-Connection
Board updates, news, and events from the around the district
Week of June 22, 2020
All attempts are made to be as accurate as possible at the time of publication. Questions, comments, or concerns can be emailed to the JCSD Communications department at jcsdcomm@jdragonmail.us.
District News & Announcements
JCSD Return To Learn Update
At the June 22 meeting, drafts of each plan were presented to the board. These drafts - plus much more information - is now available on our new Return To Learn website. www.johnstoncsd.org/rtl.
On the site, you can view:
-Draft plans of our Required Online, On-site, and Hybrid learning models
-Frequently Asked Questions and question submission forms
-Family Resources
-Background information on the Return To Learn requirements
-Recordings of the Community RTL webinars from June 23, 2020
Website: www.johnstoncsd/org/rtl
NHD Student Filmmakers Named for Smithsonian Documentary Showcase
Congratulations to JMS students Eshaan Chandani and Anjali Kumar - their National History Day documentary "One Woman’s Vision: Eunice Kennedy Shriver’s Race for Equality” has been selected by the National Museum of African American History and Culture to be showcased by the Smithsonian Learning Lab.
This is an incredible honor, as only 35 entries were chosen for this. Read more.Teaching & Learning Welcomes Cooksley, Johnson Miner to New Positions
The JCSD Teaching & Learning Department has undergone a realignment and as a result, will see new and familiar faces in new roles, effective July 1, 2020.
- Dr. Mary Cooksley has been hired as the new Coordinator of Math, Science and Technology/Information Literacy.
- Longtime Math/Science Coordinator Dr. Jyll Johnson Miner will be moving to her new role as the Coordinator for Career and Technical Education and Related Arts.
Free Meals Every Monday, 12-12:30 p.m.
- JHS North lot
- Meredith Dr Reform Church; South Lot
- Chapel Ridge Apts
Board Highlights from June 22, 2020
-Summer Music Programming Report
-First Reading of Policies 401.13R1 Staff Technology Responsible Use Regulation; 705.4 Public Purpose Use of Funds; 401.17 Notification of Arrest, Criminal Charges, or Child Abuse Complaints; and 408.3 Certified Employee Tutoring
-First Reading of Policies 412.1 Classified Employee Compensation; 412.2 Classified Employee Wages and Overtime; 412.3 Classified Employee Group Benefits; 412.4 Classified Employee Tax Shelter Programs
-First Reading of Policies 413.1 Classified Employee Resignation; 413.3 Classified Employee Suspension; 413.4 Classified Employee Dismissal; 413.5 Classified Employee Reduction in Force; 414.1 Classified Employee Vacations, Holidays, Personal Leave, 414.2 Classified Employee Personal Illness Leave
-First Reading of Policies 414.3 Classified Employee Family and Medical Leave; 414.3E1 Classified Employee Family Medical Leave Notice to Employees; 414.3E2 Classified Employee Family and Medical Leave Request Form; 414.4 Classified Employee Bereavement Leave
-First Reading of Policies 414.5 Classified Employee Political Leave; 414.6 Classified Employee Jury Duty Leave; 414.7 Classified Employee Military Service Leave; 414.8 Classified Employee Unpaid Leave; 414.9 Classified Employee Professional Leave
-Approval of Return to Learn Proposals (approved)
-Approval of Employee Handbook (approved)
-Approval of Policies 705.5 Employee Travel Compensation and 705.5R Employee Compensation Regulation (approved)
-Approval of Policies 403.3 Communicable Diseases; 403.3R1 Universal Precautions Regulation; 403.5 Substance Free Workplace; 403.5E1 Substance Free Workplace Notice to Employees; 403.5R1 Substance Free Workplace Regulation (approved)
-Approval of Policies 404 Employee Conduct and Appearance; 404.R1 Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics Regulation; 404.R2 Code of Rights and Responsibility Regulation (approved)
-Approval of Policies 405.1 Certified Employee Defined; 405.2 Recruitment, Selection and Qualifications of Certificated Personnel; 405.3 Certified Employee Individual Contracts; 405.4 Certified Employee Continuing Contracts; 405.5 Certified Employee Work Day (approved)
-Approval of Policies 405.6 Certified Employee Assignment; 405.7 Certified Employee Transfers; 405.8 Certified Employee Evaluation; 405.9 Certified Employee Probationary Status (approved)
-Approval of Policies 406.1 Certified Employee Salary Schedule; 406.2 Certified Employee Salary Schedule Advancement; 406.3 Certified Employee Continued Education Credit; 406.4 Certified Employee Compensation for Extra Duty; 406.5 Certified Employee Group Benefits; 406.6 Certified Employee Tax Shelter Program (approved)
-Approval of Policies 407.1 Certified Employee Resignation; 407.2 Certified Employee Contract Release; 407.4 Certified Employee Suspension; 407.5 Certified Employee Reduction in Force; 407.6 Certified Employee Early Retirement; 407.7 Employee Incentive- Non Early Retirement Approval of Policies 408.1 Certified Employee Professional Development; 408.2 Certified Employee Publication or Creation of Materials; 408.4 Student Teachers; 409.1 Certified Employee Vacations, Holidays, Personal Leave; 409.2 Certified Employee Personal Illness Leave (approved)
-Approval of Policies 409.3 Certified Employee Family and Medical Leave; 409.3E1 Licensed Employee Family and Medical Leave Notice to Employees; 409.3E2 Licensed Employee Family and Medical Leave Request Form; 409.4 Certified Employee Bereavement Leave; 409.5 Certified Employee Political Leave; 409.6 Certified Employee Jury Duty Leave; 409.7 Certified Employee Military Service Leave; 409.8 Certified Employee Unpaid Leave Approval of Policies 410.2 Summer School Licensed Employee; 410.3 Truancy Officer; 411.1 Classified Employee Defined; 411.2 Classified Employee Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection (approved)
-Approval of Policies 411.4 Classified Employee Licensing/Certification; 411.5 Classified Employee Assignment; 411.6 Classified Employee Transfers; 411.7 Classified Employee Evaluation (approved)
-Approval of Policy 507.9 Wellness and Regulation 507.9R1 Wellness (approved)
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
Superintendent Laura Kacer provided the board an update on four major topics: JHS in-person graduation ceremony, the Return To Learn plan, the current state of equity and inclusion action steps in the district, and facility re-opening.
The JHS in-person graduation ceremony will be held June 27 at Dragon Stadium (JHS), starting at 10 a.m. A survey has been sent out to seniors for the RSVP. Each student will be allowed to have up to four guests.
Later in the meeting, drafts of three possible Return-To-Learn models will be presented for the options of Required Online, On-site, and Hybrid delivery. More guidance is needed from the Dept. of Ed and/or State health depts on certain scenarios. The district is hosting a community webinar forum on June 23 at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to answer questions from the community.
The board will be making a decision on the plan for returning to school at the August 3 meeting; the first day of school will be Monday, August 24.
Kacer's presentation is attached to this news item.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Due to COVID-19 precautions and restrictions, all in-person board meetings have been moved to conference line or virtual meetings. Access information is published with the agenda on the Friday before the meeting. Meetings are also livestreamed at https://team1sports.com/johnston/.
CONTACT THE BOARD
Persons are encouraged to send questions, comments and suggestions to our board members. Each board member can be reached by email: Justin Allen; Dr. Jeanie Kerber; Jennifer Chamberland; Dr. Alicia Clevenger; Katie Fiala; Steven Hopper; and Soneeta Mangra-Dutcher.
Johnston Community School District
JCSD Non-Discrimination Statement
It is the policy of the Johnston Community School District not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment), marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity and socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and its employment practices.
There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy please contact the district’s Associate Superintendent, Dr. Bruce Amendt, 6510 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston, Iowa 50131, (515) 278-0470, bamendt@johnston.k12.ia.us.
Email: laura.sprague@johnston.k12.ia.us
Website: johnstoncsd.org
Location: 6510 NW 62nd Ave, Johnston, IA, USA
Phone: 515-278-0470
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnstonCSD/
Twitter: @johnstoncsd