Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/637605
February 2016 isea.org • ISEA Communiqué 2 BRIEFS NEWS ISEA seeks executive board nominations The ISEA is seeking nominations from Educational Support Professional and Retired members who want to serve three-year terms on the ISEA Executive Board. The successful candidates will also serve as chairperson for their respective constituency standing committee meetings. Nomination papers may be obtained from Drew Gosselink, Associate Executive Director, at ISEA headquarters, 777 3rd Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309; or phone 1 800 445-9358. The deadline for filing completed nomination papers is April 1, 2016. The elections will be held in May and June, with the successful candidates assuming office in July. Smarter Balanced put on hold The Iowa Legislature's Administrative Rules Review Committee put implementation of the Smarter Balanced assessment on hold for at least an additional legislative session. Smarter Balanced was the assessment chosen by the Statewide Assessment Task Force and recommended by the Iowa State Board of Education for adoption. The committee was concerned, however, about the state board's legal authority to adopt a new accountability assessment. After the question was raised, the committee voted unanimously to delay until the end of the 2016 legislative session. Report: Student enrollment up The number of children enrolled in Iowa's public schools jumped up to 480,772 in the 2014-15 school year, up nearly 2,000 pupils from the year before. That statistic is among several found in the Iowa Department of Education's "Condition of Education" report released in January. The report contains information on student populations, demographics, teacher salaries and characteristics, and school financial information, among its many categories. Highlights include: • Minority student enrollment is 21.8 percent, up from 21.1 percent in 2013-14 school year and 5.5 percent in 1990. • Overall, 41 percent of Iowa's public school students are eligible for free or reduced lunch prices. This is up from 27 percent in the 2000-01 school year. • Iowa's average teacher salary increased 2.7 percent to $55,356 in the 2014-15 school year putting at 25th in the national salary rankings and 6th out of 12 Midwestern states. • There were 34,725 teachers in Iowa schools during the 2014-15 school year, up from 34,509 in 2013-14 and 33,610 in 2000-2001. The full report can be found on the Iowa Department of Education's website at www.educateiowa.gov Marquardt named Associate Executive Director Coy Marquardt was named associate executive director for the Iowa State Education Association in January. As associate executive director, Marquardt will oversee the UniServ program includes the directors at ISEA headquarters in Des Moines and eight field offices spread throughout the state. UniServ directors are on-call to help with individual contract problems, negotiations, membership development, political action, or training activities. He replaces Randy Richardson. Marquardt, 40, served as East Central UniServ Unit director since 2006. He taught in East Marshall and Iowa City schools before that. He's married to state Rep. Kirstin Running Marquardt of Cedar Rapids and is father to 9-year-old Jack.