District Handbook 2021-2022 www.linnmar.k12.ia.us Welcome. Superintendent’s Message I want to welcome everyone to the start of the 2021-22 school year! Here’s to hoping that this year will be a little less chaotic and that we don’t experience another pandemic or natural disaster! Last year was unique, to say the least, as we weaved our way through the COVID-19 Shannon Bisgard pandemic and dealt with the impact of a derecho. We also faced the challenges of opening two new Intermediate Schools, Hazel Point and Boulder Peak. I have said it many times, but I am proud of our students, families, and staff for their adaptability and dedication to education. Despite all of the challenges that we faced last year; it was inspirational to see everyone pull together to ensure the students continued their learning. As we kick off the 2021-22 school year, I am excited to have the majority of our students and staff back in the buildings for in-person learning. It is great to have the hustle and bustle of people in the hallways and the excitement of learning in our classrooms again. We also continue to offer virtual learning this year, and we are pleased to be able to extend this option for the students and families. Another exciting change for 2021-22 is the district’s new Venture Academics program. This hands-on, project- based learning program is offered to high school students as a replacement to our former collaboration in Iowa BIG. We are excited to offer our own in-house program that will allow more students to participate due to it being located on campus. A lot of construction projects took place over summer break that we are excited to see wrapping up with the start of the school year. It was good to see the derecho-damaged rooves at several buildings being repaired along with several other repairs required due to the storm. The second phase of the classroom renovations at Wilkins Elementary was also completed, along with the replacement of the gym HVAC unit at Indian Creek Elementary. It was especially great to see the two mobile classrooms being removed from Indian Creek, as it is nice to see the front of the building clearly again. Along with summer construction projects, we reconvened our Facility Advisory Committee to review our 10-Year Capital Plan as we prepare for future facility needs due to continued growth in the community. The committee plans to present their recommendations to the school board later this year. I hope everyone had a wonderful summer break! We are very excited to return to school for the 2021-22 year in a more normal format as we strive to Inspire Learning. Unlock Potential. Empower Achievement. Have a great year, Linn-Mar! Shannon Bisgard, Superintendent Linn-Mar Community School District | 2021-22 District Handbook | www.linnmar.k12.ia.us 2 Welcome Welcome | Fast Facts Facts Fast | Fast Facts. School Board DISTRICT PROFILE: STUDENT PROFILE: FINANCE/BUDGET: | Buildings • 12 Schools • 97.2% Attendance Rate Finance/Budget FY2021: - 7 Elementary (Bowman Woods, (9-12) • $137,577,580 | Echo Hill, Indian Creek, Linn • 94.4% Graduation Rate Total Approved Budget Departments Grove, Novak, Westfield & (2019-20 school year) • $88,965,473* Wilkins) • Race/Ethnicity includes Actual General Fund | - 2 Intermediate Schools (Boulder 80.36% White Revenue Community Peak & Hazel Point) 7.99% Asian - 2 Middle Schools (Excelsior & 7.36% Black or African • $87,766,217* Actual General Fund Oak Ridge) American | Accounting Accounting - 1 High School (LMHS, Compass 3.38% Hispanic/Latinx Expenditures and Success Center) 0.53% American Indian/ • $2,498,811,697 • 7,850 students Alaskan/Multi-Racial District Taxable | Health Services Elementary – 3,230 • 2.28% of students Valuation (including TIF) Intermediate – 1,182 are English Language • $17.87 District Tax Rate Middle School – 1,187 Learners (ELL) (per $1,000 assessed | High School – 2,251 • 9.71% of students value) Instructional Services • 1,169 Employees have IEPs • 408 Teachers with Advanced • 22.7% of students are * latest information at time of Degrees eligible for Free/Reduced printing: FY 2020 • 22.11 Average Class Size (K-4) Lunch • 3,200 Eligible riders transported • 78.8% of High School | by 66 Buses and 8 Vans students took the ACT Nutrition Services • 181 volunteers gave more than • 678 Advanced 5,430 hours of time Placement (AP) Exams • 2,233 Student lunches served taken; 80% of AP scores | daily and 335 breakfasts served were 3 or higher (2020- School Safety daily 21 school year) | Student Services Student | Transportation Transportation | Board Policies Board | Forms Forms Linn-Mar Community School District | 2021-22 District Handbook | www.linnmar.k12.ia.us | Q & A 3 School Board. Linn-Mar Community School District Board of Education The Linn-Mar Community School District is dedicated to promoting an equal opportunity for a quality public education to its students. In cooperation with parents/guardians, the school district will strive to provide a nurturing learning environment that gives guidance and encourages critical thinking in students for a lifetime. Board of Education meetings are usually held twice a month at 5:00 Sondra Nelson Cara Lausen PM (work session) and 7:00 PM (regular meeting) in the boardroom President Vice President at the Learning Resource Center, 2999 N 10th Street, Marion. Term expires 2023 Term expires 2021 [email protected] [email protected] Board agendas, minutes, and policies may be found on the district website at www.linnmar.k12.ia.us. Barry Buchholz Tim Isenberg Brittania Morey Rachel Wall Clark Weaver Term expires 2023 Term expires 2021 Term expires 2023 Term expires 2021 Term expires 2023 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Linn-Mar School Board Meetings* 2021: 2022: July 12 January 10, 24 J.T. Anderson, CFO, COO August 9, 23 February 7, 21 Treasurer, Board Secretary [email protected] Shannon Bisgard September 13, 27 March 7 Superintendent October 11, 25 April 11, 25 [email protected] November 10 May, 9, 23 December 13 June 13 *Dates subject to change. Linn-Mar Community School District | 2021-22 District Handbook | www.linnmar.k12.ia.us 4 Welcome Welcome | Fast Facts Facts Fast | Buildings & Facilities. School Board | Buildings | Departments | Community Community (Grades PK-4) (Grades PK-4) (Grades K-4) 151 Boyson Road NE, Cedar Rapids 400 Echo Hill Road, Marion 2900 Indian Creek Road, Marion | Phone: (319) 447-3240 Phone: (319) 730-3560 Phone: (319) 447-3270 Accounting Attendance Phone: (319) 447-3242 Attendance Phone: (319) 730-3561 Attendance Phone: (319) 447-3272 Class hours: 8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Class hours: 8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. Class hours: 8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. | Health Services | Instructional Services Principal: Tina March Principal: C.J. McDonald Principal: Kelly Kretschmar [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Facilitator: Facilitator: Facilitator: Courtney Skoneczka Val Lawrence Teresa Garcia [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] | Secretary: Pam Harder Nutrition Services Secretary: Kristina Messenger Secretary: Heather Feigenbaum [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Counselor: Laura James Counselor: Sally Wiley Counselor: Deb Bundy [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] | Counselor Secretary: Kitty Strauser School Safety Counselor Secretary: Counselor Secretary: Amy Davis [email protected] Ann Matthews [email protected] [email protected] Student Assistance Specialist: Student Assistance Specialist: Jacob Young | Student Assistance Specialist: Jacob Young [email protected] Services Student Tamara DeVries [email protected] [email protected] Elementary Strategist: Colleen Fritz Elementary Strategist: Debra Barry [email protected] Elementary Strategist: Kristin Becker [email protected] [email protected] Nurse: Marilyn Calcara | Nurse: Abbi Riniker [email protected] Transportation Nurse: Cami Martin [email protected] [email protected] PTO Co-Chairs: Nicole Phillips and PTO Chair: Hayley Hegland Jamila Vrba PTO Chair: Jen Irons | Volunteer Coordinators: Volunteer Coordinators: Volunteer Coordinator: Rachel Liberty Amanda DeSalvo and Carrie Hay Stephanie Meier and Erika Battern Policies Board [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Before/After School Care: Before/After School Care: Before/After School Care: | Hand in Hand: (319) 373-3630 Hand in Hand: (319) 373-3630 Hand in Hand: (319) 373-3630 Forms Linn-Mar Community School District | 2021-22 District Handbook | www.linnmar.k12.ia.us | Q & A 5 Buildings & Facilities. (Grades PK-4) (Grades JrK-4) (Grades K-4) 2301 50th Street, Marion 401 29th Avenue, Marion 901 East Main Street, Robins Phone: (319) 730-3500 Phone: (319) 447-3300 Phone: (319) 447-3350 Attendance Phone (319) 730-3501 Attendance Phone (319) 447-3345 Attendance Phone: (319) 447-3356 Class hours 8:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. Class hours 8:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. Class hours 8:30 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. Principal: Lori Manley Principal: Carol O’Donnell Principal: Ed Rogers [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Facilitator: Facilitator: Associate Principal: Tammi