Linn‑Mar highlights career‑connected learning goals, honors Lions Volunteer Award winners
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Summary
At its April 13 meeting, the Linn‑Mar board heard a District Career and Academic Plan update emphasizing expanded career‑connected learning (job shadows, internships, industry credentials), and recognized multiple Lions Volunteer Award winners and district student achievements.
Administrators used the April 13 board meeting to spotlight career‑connected learning and community volunteers. Chad, who the board noted is moving into district leadership, presented the District Career and Academic Plan (DCAP) committee’s recent work and outcomes, and the board recognized the 2026 Lions Volunteer Award recipients.
Chad highlighted concrete metrics for career and technical education: “We’ve had over 343 job shadows,” he said, and added that the district currently has “41 active internships” and “over 275 unique students in Venture programs.” He also noted the district is offering 17 industry‑recognized credentials this year and plans to recognize students who complete two Venture programs with a lime‑green graduation cord.
The superintendent’s report also provided performance context: Amy reported that the Iowa Department of Education’s numbers show the district’s 4‑year cohort graduation rate for the class of 2025 at 95.25% and a 5‑year cohort rate for the class of 2024 at 96.13%.
Awards: presenters announced multiple individual and team recognitions, including John Christian (Living Legend Award), Alyssa McDowell (Innovator Award), Casey Robbins (Innovator Award), Jenny Rickles (Optimizer Award), and others; a retired therapy dog, Tully, received a district “Possum Pride” recognition for years of service. Presenters read short citations and the board invited recipients to a reception on May 13.
Why it matters: district leaders said the DCAP work embeds career exploration and planning into instruction beginning in grades 5–6 (state law change), expands internships and industry credential opportunities, and aims to coordinate guest speakers and work‑based experiences districtwide so students avoid duplicative exposure while gaining consistent, age‑appropriate career education.
Next steps: administration will submit the district’s DCAP for September review, continue refining action plans for 2026–27, expand stakeholder representation on the DCAP committee and return updates to the board.
The board’s recognitions and the DCAP presentation were not votes but informational items and ceremonial recognitions recorded in the meeting minutes.
