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Board approves SIAC appointments, concurrent DMACC courses; curriculum committee highlights AI guidance and math monitoring
Summary
The board approved members of the district's SIAC and a list of concurrent courses with DMACC and on-site offerings. Curriculum committee updates emphasized teacher professional pathways, AI guidance for students, and enhanced math screening and progress monitoring.
The Indianola Community School District Board of Education on Sept. 8 approved the membership of the District School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) and a slate of concurrent courses offered through the district's agreement with Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC).
Board members voted 7-0 to approve the SIAC appointment list and to accept the annual list of concurrent courses, including those taught on-site and those that require students to travel to DMACC.
During the curriculum committee report, staff described a new personal-learning-pathways initiative intended to reinforce teacher efficacy and student engagement by offering recognition and small incentives tied to professional learning. The committee also discussed guidelines for artificial intelligence (AI) in schools and what an "AI-ready" graduate might look like. District staff said discussions include both how students should be taught to use AI tools and how to detect and cite AI-sourced material in student work.
The committee reviewed math intervention plans and assessment requirements. Staff explained the district uses the FastBridge assessment platform and will continue to submit data to the Department of Education for statewide comparisons. Committee members noted K-6 students will be screened three times per year as required; staff said the district is increasing progress monitoring toward a two-week cadence for students receiving interventions.
Board members and staff described how student course interest data are gathered through the district's career-planning platform, Xello, and through counselors working with eighth graders and parents on four-year plans. Lacey Chernis, the district's newly created counseling and career lead, has begun work on work-based learning training and is supporting counselors on implementation.
A motion to approve the SIAC members was made by Sue Wilson and seconded by Eric Christiansen; the motion carried 7-0. A motion by Tim Mills to approve the concurrent course list, seconded by Ryan Worling, also carried 7-0.
