School will be dismissing at 1:20/1:30 today February 21, 2013 due to weather.
Reminder that the IKM-Manning Board Meeting has been moved to today, Feb. 20th at 5 p.m. at central office, Manilla.
Girls’ State Basketball Tournament Info as of Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The IKM-Manning Booster club will be having a sendoff event at the high school in Manning on Sunday, February 24 beginning at 6 p.m. A meal (free will offering) will be served at 6 p.m. in the school cafeteria followed by a pep rally in the gym. 1st Game on Tuesday, February 26 IKM-Manning vs. Maquoketa Valley, 10:00 a.m., Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines Due to game there will be NO SCHOOL on Tuesday, February 26. Possible 2nd Game on Thursday, February 28 If IKM-Manning wins their game on Tuesday their next game would be at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 28. If we win Tuesday there will be NO SCHOOL on Thursday, February 28. If IKM-Manning loses their game on Tuesdayschool will held as usual on Thursday, February 28. Friday, March 1 If IKM-Manning wins Tuesday and Thursday, they would play in the 2A championship game at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, March 1. School would be dismissed at 1:30 p.m. if we are playing in the championship game. If IKM-Manning wins Tuesday but loses Thursday they are done in the tournament. The girls’ basketball state tournament does not have a consolation game. We would have a normal school day on Friday, March 1. Ticket Sales Tickets for all state basketball games are general admission and cost is $8. Tickets for all games may be purchased at the Wells Fargo Arena ticket office. The school will also have advanced sale tickets available in the Irwin, Manilla, and Manning offices for Tuesday’s game as soon as they arrive from the IGHSAU. Advanced ticket sales at all three school offices will end at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, February 25. If IKM-Manning advances, tickets for Thursday’s semifinal game will be sold in the Irwin, Manilla, and Manning school offices until 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 27. Championship game tickets for Friday, March 1 will only be sold on-site at Wells Fargo Arena. Pep Bus on Tuesday, February 26 A pep bus (school bus) will be offered to the game on Tuesday if there is sufficient interest. The bus will leave from the Irwin school building at 7:00 a.m.., the Manilla school building at 7:15 a.m. and the high school parking lot in Manning at 7:30 a.m. Cost to ride is $10 (ticket NOT included). Community members and students may sign up in the school offices in Irwin, Manilla, and Manning and must pay when they sign up. Students in 6th grade and under must be accompanied by a responsible adult. If at least 20 people are not signed up and paid by noon on Monday, February 25 then a pep bus will not be offered. It seems the pace of legislative action is picking up in anticipation of the first legislative funnel which is March 8. A bill must have passed at least one committee to remain alive, with the exceptions of Ways and Means and Appropriation bills. The budget subcommittees have turned their attention to presenters offering their thoughts on what the budget priorities should be for this coming year. From
the standpoint of this administrator the hope is to have allowable growth set at a percentage of at least breaking even and to make modifications to the Education Reform bill. The allowable growth needs to be resolved rather quickly so we can prepare and have budgets approved for FY 13-14. The House Education Committee made significant changes to the governor’s education reform bill. Two of the most significant changes came in a more rigorous assessment process that is aligned with the core standards and will be given to every student in grades 3 – 11. If the Legislature fails to provide sufficient funding, districts would not be required to administer the assessment. Second, the teacher ladder and compensation program would no longer be a mandate and districts will have greater opportunity to opt into the program. It is that time of year for basketball fever! Both the boy’s and girl’s teams are having great years and at the printing of this article the girls are one win away from the state tournament. Good luck to all! This past weekend the IKM-Manning Foundation sponsored another successful youth basketball tournament. All the funds raised go back into the IKM-Manning CSD through mini-grants available to all teachers across the district. A big thank you to all those that volunteered time and supplies to the running of the tournament. Everyone have a great week! Yours in education, Dr. Ward It has been another busy week in the Iowa Legislature working on the Governor’s Education Reform. The House Education subcommittee completed its review and next week members will begin to discuss the bill in the full Education Committee. It was passed out of the House subcommittee Tuesday on a party-line vote. The Senate Education subcommittee will begin review this week. There has been indication each party will offer amendments to the bill as it reaches the legislative process.
As educators we believe that it is in the best interest of our students, not only in IKM-Manning but across the state for education reform and the imperative need to include the appropriate funding. What our legislatures need to do is listen to school leaders with concerns and suggestions to what can be done to improve the education bill. Allowable growth still seems to be the issue with the education reform bill. The governor is interested in changing from the current allowable growth model to a new model of “supplemental state aid,” which would be depended on state funding. The question with this model is what happens down the road when the state can’t adequate provide the funds? Again this is a great time to make those supportive contacts and share your opinions. I greatly appreciate your help in these matters. Tournament time is approaching and if you haven’t had the opportunity to get out and see our kids play this would be a great week as they prepare for the “Road to Des Moines.” Speaking of tournaments the IKM-Manning Foundation is sponsoring a youth tourney this weekend at all three facilities. Get out and support the youth of the area. I would appreciate any comments or concerns. The door is always open, the phone is never busy and I do look over my e-mails. No excuse on getting in contact with me. Have a great week. GO WOLVES!! Yours in education, Dr. Ward Our legislatures just finished week two of the 2013 legislative session. This week was spent in committee and subcommittee meetings. The House began work on education reform while the Senate turned its attention to four percent allowable growth. What is really distressing to this educator is that the content of education reform is far from being settled, as it appears many legislators have concerns about the tiered teacher leadership system and the cost that could be associated with the system. As I write this update the fact that there is no agreement on allowable growth agreement for FY 14 and FY 15 is distressing, especially when the Central Office is preparing the FY 14 Budget.
Legislators are telling superintendents they need help in working through the technical issues of the Governor’s proposals, as well as setting an allowable growth. Along with this goes how increased allowable growth minimizes property taxes as fewer districts become dependent upon the budget adjustment. The budget adjustment is an adjustment to the regular program district cost of a school district for districts in which the regular program district cost for a year would be less than the regular program cost for the previous year. For IKM-Manning would be a dramatic loss in budget adjustment. I would like to recognize Mr. Struve and the IKM-Manning Jazz Band for a One Rating over this past weekend. This group of performers is one other reason to attend a home basketball game. They do an outstanding job of entertaining during the games. Also, a high five to Coach Rasmussen and Coach Wagner for both of the basketball teams advancing on to the semi-finals of the WVC Tournament this week at the IKM-Manning Gym. The state tourney is right around the corner. Questions, concerns or if you just like to discuss any issues give me a call or e-mail [email protected]. Have a great week! Yours in education, Dr. Ward |