[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",5976721,"mediaKeyId","5840381-06b358e59da4b06942bc482152a6d186","parentId",5840381,"title","North Scott presenters describe districtwide rollout of Character Strong social-emotional program","audioSeconds",960,"startMs",556000,"endMs",1516000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5840381-06b358e59da4b06942bc482152a6d186&start=556&end=1516","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5840381-06b358e59da4b06942bc482152a6d186/thumbnail_556000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5976721/Iowa/North-Scott-presenters-describe-districtwide-rollout-of-Character-Strong-social-emotional-program","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976721-62d88ae3a1eb85b11a8ac1f75b58c941/orig.mp4?Expires=1771000257&Signature=NFhjjMt7C7GkKm23-cFfeqerSLcW~Xb11D2vfMtLVr8VkaU7fL7EXrUMYNgpMCGx5n4W3raEyinBIMmBhod4eI9Pxrkt5it-QIh1Pe40s23tNMYW0s9S~yq0ShLz8JIK88RBdkwA3FOEx8bEuBV3Ssze89XB9EqJm267BnyFTV9CiOLMm-0ZQPchO4SQCubzPx-C~ukD3sSG8UNCDLhNpjJZ1rfFA4Gnn84vp73oJejMB0EKFeMdBSYR33bnhgpzKa5m5hufKB~6AEk5ONoxyllYIf5s4zyM6fG5lE8UR1CLtzvmmycT2wvrqrZJGHJfG5HoJAVoRao~BonUO4nBJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","North Scott Community School District","date","2025-09-23T00:00:00Z","article","Neil Armstrong Elementary staff told the North Scott School Board on Sept. 22 that the building is using the Character Strong curriculum districtwide to teach social-emotional skills to PreK–6 students. The program pairs brief, teacher-led morning meeting components with a weekly 30-minute counselor lesson and targeted small-group supports for students who need extra help.

School Counselor Jill, the presenter, said the program’s classroom components are intended as Tier 1 instruction and occur “three to five times a week” in class, while counselors deliver a longer weekly lesson (the program’s “grow” component) and run Tier 2 small groups for students who do not master the skills during Tier 1 instruction. “The grow section is typically a 30-minute section…that’s what the counselors are delivering at the elementary level,” Jill said.

Board members and school staff said the curriculum helps unify what teachers and counselors already teach and reduces lesson prep time for teachers. Jill said a practical benefit is consistent language and materials across classrooms and grade levels so students hear the same messages from classroom teachers, counselors and small groups. She described the program structure as start → connect → grow → respond → exit and said lessons address social skills, effective functioning and emotional regulation.

The districtwide rollout is funded in part by Scott County Kids, which Jill and others cited as covering purchase of the curriculum. Jill said the program also includes parent-facing materials she can send after Tier 2 group meetings so families know what students are learning.

Staff and board members described early implementation challenges. Jill said the curriculum contains more content than can easily fit into the school year, and counselors are working to prioritize essential components and pace delivery consistently across buildings. Board member Carrie asked whether counselors and principals meet to calibrate delivery; staff answered they do and that committee discussions will continue as the program matures.

Jill described early Tier 2 results as promising: small groups use the same characters and videos as classroom lessons, allowing students to make clearer connections between whole-class instruction and targeted support. She said she currently runs multiple small groups and that the structure has allowed her to run more groups efficiently than prior ad hoc materials did.

Jill said the program ties to the district’s PBIS and data collection: exit tickets and other measures are used to see whether students can transfer classroom learning to everyday behavior. She said staff will review year-end data to decide where to adjust pacing or add time on particular topics.

Board members thanked staff for the presentation and noted the districtwide adoption aligns neighboring Quad Cities districts on similar SEL materials, easing transitions for students who move among local districts.

Less critical details: staff said the sixth-grade model and the middle-school model use a similar start/connect/content/exit format; early lessons in the building focused on responsibility and bullying, with students examining board policy language as part of a lesson. Jill invited board members to observe lessons and noted the curriculum supports both classroom teachers and counselors.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","North Scott School Board Meeting | Sept 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Neil Armstrong Elementary staff told the North Scott School Board on Sept. 22 that the building is using the Character Strong curriculum districtwide to teach social-emotional skills to PreK–6 students.","taxTitle","North Scott Comm School District, School Districts, Iowa","taxId",38806,"location","Iowa","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5976701,"Big Brothers Big Sisters asks North Scott community for mentors after raising $193,000 in annual fundraiser",177,185000,362000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5840381-06b358e59da4b06942bc482152a6d186&start=185&end=362","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5840381-06b358e59da4b06942bc482152a6d186/thumbnail_185000.jpg","/articles/5976701/Iowa/Big-Brothers-Big-Sisters-asks-North-Scott-community-for-mentors-after-raising-193000-in-annual-fundraiser","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976701-58133dff79d3a9619a20d57974ba4504/orig.mp4?Expires=1771000257&Signature=nJdQjJpqgUL6itrC1lWte4K28PF9ZQARL2Aaw1q23Jz1WOeuaO6mbSfzJuuYmPgQHL~nQC7ZmXU8PDZg7HsiMUdv11C4NYvquTIux5~pA8eKtz5N3aVJrVfPEOZxlLHn8chtKJX3nPzqm7YjlDZOXFYbu3-y4UnjvYnMm58srzQUr0LGVKEwqACcefzjajkIuUyvf76W6HERMmBkAE4MmnEC2rEzfoM-O5MvxMzrhU616XoIa8dj2rzFUlLplG4vDzvVHhfJicjusmqFAve3-iawvVnhcdav1hJrviGrksn3A-lk2QPhjEBU8hEZd4z7TqAz~qSvpzGy5dzEkMC-zA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kayla Kesey, a representative of Big Brothers Big Sisters, told the North Scott School Board on Sept. 22 that the nonprofit raised more than $193,000 in its most recent annual fundraiser and is seeking more volunteers to mentor students in the district.

Kesey said the fundraising event, Over the Edge, included 110 repellers and that local superintendents participated as top fundraisers. “This year was our biggest year yet in raising over $193,000 for youth mentoring,” Kesey said. She described the program as matching adult mentors with students for lunch, after-school meetings or other regular mentorship activities.

Kesey asked board members and the community to consider who they know that might volunteer and noted Big Brothers Big Sisters serves Scott County and nearby areas, supporting more than 200 children in the region. She invited board members to participate in the group’s events and to consider hosting awareness activities at schools.

Board members thanked Kesey and posed for a brief photo presentation and a certificate exchange after the public-comment remarks.","Kayla Kesey of Big Brothers Big Sisters told the board the nonprofit raised more than $193,000 this year and is seeking mentors in the district; she thanked local superintendents who participated in the fundraiser and urged board members and community to recruit volunteers",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5976707,"Board approves student-built home construction contracts; multiple vendors selected for carpentry, HVAC and glass",138,1810000,1948000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5840381-06b358e59da4b06942bc482152a6d186&start=1810&end=1948","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5840381-06b358e59da4b06942bc482152a6d186/thumbnail_1810000.jpg","/articles/5976707/Iowa/Board-approves-student-built-home-construction-contracts-multiple-vendors-selected-for-carpentry-HVAC-and-glass","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976707-a27d5bb173ca30a1a0a0a80c76132453/orig.mp4?Expires=1771000257&Signature=cFW8X9mbUA9~uNIsAK86CQxT~Fz56Z6-mhrmXA-1KAXuBOSlPIQYyAFsCCCmXQAXMsKk7x7uDS-elnMr2i9m7-sh81zAYBhjhojw572w9z1msMUXG6p-TBkt4V-hRYzx4H-dSZH--nBgqZTORcRLA~sg6xGgLvFMS~SGh9IJpO4mlaN7JP88M8zmSGQg1-w~LMDwL6HSMUULZRs3mkY-UiFqEXIbnUplGSycDE~XeAna1q7A18cmtyzu~b8rdgfvtiN0xj7j8ZbQczUH7nKScHCtkd36ngU3agmKv~Lyc7vuRGMA7VUKzFpwVJ3lL9XaGZg7Be11XxZLWNLO4zMurQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Scott School Board on Sept. 22 approved multiple contracts and low-bid awards related to the district’s student-built home project.

Staff described three categories of approved work: carpentry/campus construction (awarded to Kippers Construction), HVAC/electrical trenching and system work (awarded to Precision Air) and mirrors/glass (awarded to Steve’s Mirror & Glass). Staff said the student-built home’s walls are up and weather has been favorable for construction; they also said students are progressing well on carpentry work.

Staff reported the following bid figures in the board packet: a roofing‑labor line with an initial $3,500 quote and a 50% discount to $1,750; Precision Air quoted $18,850 with a discount that brought the final price to about $17,030; and Stevens Mirror & Glass quoted $2,571.08 with a discount to $1,508.70. (These line items reflect the packet summary presented to the board.)

Board members voted to accept the recommended vendors and asked staff follow-up questions about alternates such as humidifier options and timeline coordination so work can be sealed before winter weather arrives. Staff said utilities trenching, gas and electric connections and other work are underway and that remaining change orders and contractor selections will be reported through the usual project updates.

Motions to approve the vendor contracts were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.","The board approved several contracts and bid awards for the district’s student-built home project, including carpentry (Kippers Construction), HVAC (Precision Air) and mirrors/glass (Steve’s Mirror and Glass); staff reported students are making good progress on the structure",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5976712,"Board awards $139,300 contract to Encore for wrestling-roof replacement; 20-year warranty, work scheduled for four days",153,1626000,1779000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5840381-06b358e59da4b06942bc482152a6d186&start=1626&end=1779","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5840381-06b358e59da4b06942bc482152a6d186/thumbnail_1626000.jpg","/articles/5976712/Iowa/Board-awards-139300-contract-to-Encore-for-wrestling-roof-replacement-20-year-warranty-work-scheduled-for-four-days","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976712-b72b9777259dfa5d14d54b072d003322/orig.mp4?Expires=1771000257&Signature=iVYXKNmkHgOPGk88EAb74jUkw3C4WnK3QPPoEG6HyQ5PLzHAYvJsnQl030GHuJrMC4ISex45BpCUE6YrR2DoaPJH3iA1scYct8rXv-9oUPHBgfvkvhi9~N7oUHU5C-OOsM-vvKDGQGbzZNmlpBSrJPEk0OiMMfQxdc1aEsJfA-ge21X7Wd3R4lBEZiD1PnqHoQQij8s0O59lO5f0yTHcw8pC-e6zPGFJ3dcYVMuQvQ45wcFdbD1vTX~MrGPLt-Agldf8b9k2S-h557jrwzWc95j2aOrzXsGeIXoOQFfSQz0jzbi0W8qMQhFue6CXxBjZ-I9L4W636gR0G6Dg~ATYxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The North Scott School Board on Sept. 22 approved a $139,300 contract with Encore (Encore Roofing) to replace the wrestling room roof at the high school.

Board packet materials showed six bids were received. The presenter said Encore’s price was unusually low because the owner intends to work with a small crew and said he is on the job personally; staff confirmed Encore provided references. The presenter warned that removing and reinstalling solar equipment on the roof could add roughly $30,000 to the job if required.

Board members asked whether the bid covered the entire roof, the warranty and timeline. Staff said the contract covers the full roof, carries a 20-year warranty and is estimated to be a four-day job the contractor will fit between larger projects this fall. Staff and board members said work would be external only and should not interfere with interior use of the facility.

A motion to approve Encore’s contract was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Board members asked staff to prioritize scheduling so the work is done before inclement weather and to confirm whether Encore is locally based; staff later said Encore is located in Iowa. The board will see any project details and schedule updates through usual facilities reporting.","After receiving six bids, the board approved Encore’s low roofing bid for the high-school wrestling-roof replacement at $139,300; staff noted a 20-year warranty, a four-day projected timeline and an estimated $30,000 charge if roof-mounted solar must be removed and reinstalled",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},5976718,"North Scott reports roughly $815,000 special-education deficit; board approves filing for supplemental aid",40,2164000,2204000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5840381-06b358e59da4b06942bc482152a6d186&start=2164&end=2204","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5840381-06b358e59da4b06942bc482152a6d186/thumbnail_2164000.jpg","/articles/5976718/Iowa/North-Scott-reports-roughly-815000-special-education-deficit-board-approves-filing-for-supplemental-aid","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5976718-637f0966086b98d026190e0a6bf595e8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771000257&Signature=ayJbTu~c-aiEcdqP~VgB10wJzWGhi44IsH6FINznYkReA8gpXeKraHRuM~vJ7~45ItTb5dKghnid0k0ZwZhsHGxPivz7C0cfvC2OaWifTSDd2NZKpHX7W8HzTDifWaYROGNjfwnoqEQblLG1HvWhOAc65QIT~osFsKxUd1QZt8CmpLN6MEkGxDbeV8Qa1WpsdRvE8xkXyOP8t9Qr3WEJf3hx~GshN98WlIz1r~p9gY1XoYYNpAY11n1UNVa2bNJDV~w7tswKen99RCvH~Rh8dfz1gpTGtdO2pZvxrH9wuTj2KOBkyB03XygzATiYDcaPAmoH-CSFf0GY7py6QWI6iQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff told the North Scott School Board on Sept. 22 that the district’s special education program showed a negative balance for the prior fiscal year and asked the board to approve submitting a state special-education supplemental request.

Staff reported year-end figures the board said were filed Sept. 15: revenues of $5,900,000 and expenses of $6,700,000, producing a negative balance of $815,000. The presenter said five-year average deficits have been about $616,000 and that amounts can vary with student counts, Medicaid participation and student need.

The board approved a motion allowing staff to submit a request for allowable flows to obtain supplemental special-education aid to address the deficit. Board members noted the state has signaled it will audit districts’ special-education coding and staffing more closely this year; one board member said the state intends to verify whether paraeducators and associates coded to special education are actually performing only special-education duties, and that deeper audits could follow.

The presenter told the board the supplemental request “will not affect this year’s budget” immediately but will inform future levy and reimbursement planning. Board members asked for clarity on documentation and time coding; one member said accurate timesheet and activity coding will be important if the state audits files.

The board approved the filing by voice vote. Staff said the supplemental application could generate increased workload for the district’s business and special-education staff if the state conducts detailed reviews.","District staff told the board that fiscal year reporting shows a special education deficit and asked permission to submit a state supplemental aid request to cover allowable shortfall; board approved the request and staff warned of a possible state audit of special-ed coding and staffing","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

North Scott presenters describe districtwide rollout of Character Strong social-emotional program

Big Brothers Big Sisters asks North Scott community for mentors after raising $193,000 in annual fundraiser

Board approves student-built home construction contracts; multiple vendors selected for carpentry, HVAC and glass

Board awards $139,300 contract to Encore for wrestling-roof replacement; 20-year warranty, work scheduled for four days

North Scott reports roughly $815,000 special-education deficit; board approves filing for supplemental aid