COLUMBUS JUNCTION °®¶¹app” A set of recommendations developed by the School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) was accepted by the Columbus School Board during its regular March 24 meeting.
Committee spokesperson Kelli Totemeier and Superintendent Michael Volk explained the process the committee had taken to reach its conclusions, including seeking public, staff and student input through surveys and other tools.
The two said the committee had started meeting in November and eventually developed its suggested actions to include non-academic and academic proposals.
The non-academic side included conducting a full district facility audit and assessment. Operations director Randy Phillips later reported he had already contacted a company to learn potential costs and other details related to a facility audit.
The committee also suggested other high needs areas, such as the Roundy playgrounds and fine arts facilities should be considered for improvements, Totemeier said.
Another non-academic recommendation developed by the committee was to stress general maintenance and housekeeping in the district°®¶¹app bathrooms, sinks, toilets, bottle filters and other areas to ensure they are in daily working order, she added.
The committee identified three major academic general recommendations, which were then split into more detailed actions.
Totemeier said the committee placed major emphasis on effective instruction that focused on the Iowa Core Standards and active student engagement.
Student surveys, prioritizing lesion planning around an instructional framework and differentiating instruction to meet student needs were specific actions under this recommendation.
The second academic recommendation stressed that nearly all students can learn at high levels. To achieve this, the committee encouraged efforts that would promote greater parent/teacher engagement and addressing barriers.
The final academic recommendation to was improve communication and transparency to all stakeholders.
Board members said they appreciated the input and suggested SIAC continue to be utilized in the future.
The board also received presentations on student behavior health services offered by Hazel Health. Representative Hannah Olson outlined the services the organization has provided to the district since December.
She said there had been 33 referrals since then, six were being processed for enrollment and 16 students were receiving therapy services.
Members of the district°®¶¹app BPA (Business Professionals of America) chapter also met with the board and described their recent participation in the state convention.
Later in the meeting, the board approved the chapter°®¶¹app request to attend the national conference from May 3-11 in Orlando, FL.
In other action, the board:
°®¶¹app¢ Tabled action on adding a dress code policy to the staff handbook;
°®¶¹app¢ Agreed to transfer $2,125 from the General Fund to the PPEL fund for the sale of a 2012 Ford Fusion;
°®¶¹app¢ Agreed to allow the purchase of black pants for the school second set of softball uniforms;
°®¶¹app¢ Approved a waiver of the 90-day ineligibility rule for an open-enrolled out student;
°®¶¹app¢ Approved using the district°®¶¹app General Fund to cover the $700 cost to hold soccer and track meets at alternate fields while the Columbus athletic complex is renovated;
°®¶¹app¢ Learned 1963 alumnus Bob Curtis had been selected as the 2025 Columbus Distinguished Graduate;
°®¶¹app¢ Held the district°®¶¹app Fiscal Year 2026 Property Tax Levy Public Hearing and heard from three people concerned over the proposed tax asking.