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Board unanimously approves transfer of MLA program into MBA building
Summary
The board voted 7–0 to move the MLA program into the MBA building to align administration and reporting; trustees discussed funding, at-risk population concentration and implementation timing, and were told the change could begin in 2026–27 if spring logistics allow.
The Marshalltown Community School District board voted unanimously (7–0) on May 18 to transfer the MLA program to the MBA (virtual/alternative) building, aligning the programs under the same administrative oversight.
Shauna (district presenter) told trustees the transfer aims to simplify data reporting and program oversight because Jordan and other staff already oversee both programs. She said the move is not intended to merge student programs but to place MLA and MBA under a common administrative structure; she also said state funding implications had been checked with the department of education and the Board of Educational Examiners and that adding MLA to the virtual-school building should allow continuation of at-risk funding that helps support MLA.
Board members asked whether concentrating at-risk students into the combined entity could trigger an undesirable state designation based on test scores. One trustee asked whether a concentrated at-risk population might "create a situation where we have a mega concentration of at risk kids in 1 attendance center that's always going to trigger some sort of state designation." Shauna replied that some subgroup targeting requires a minimum n (for example, 20 students) and that multiple measures beyond proficiency are considered. She said administrators are watching multiple indicators including graduation rate and nonacademic measures.
The motion as presented was moved and seconded and passed with an oral vote of 7 ayes and no nays. Board members asked staff to confirm logistical steps for a possible 2026–27 start date and noted spring scheduling and calendar adjustments would be required.
The board recorded the outcome as an approval; minutes show the motion carried 7–0. The transcript does not record a detailed implementation timeline beyond the goal of starting the change in the 2026–27 school year if feasible.
