Superintendent's Message for March 2024

Hello, Chargers!!

I hope everyone had a good break and had time to relax and enjoy the things that make you happy.  We are ready to finish the school year strong.

2024-25 CALENDAR DEVELOPMENT

I know the calendar has been a topic of conversation in our school district and the community.  I hope everyone understands that we are still developing it and trying to make it the best calendar for everyone involved - especially for the student’s learning experience while accomplishing and supporting our staff to get that done through professional development.  We are still working on a calendar to present to the school board for approval.  Approval takes two public hearings, so there is plenty of time for public input.  I have sent another draft calendar to the staff and am seeking their input.  This went out on Friday, so I will give them time to respond.  This version resembles this year's calendar, with Wednesday early outs for professional development.  I want to thank everyone who contacted me and gave me feedback throughout the past month.  

School Business and School Board Highlights 

New employee contracts, for the 2024-2025 school year, were approved last night, and we want to welcome the following people to the Charger Family.

1. Contracts/Letters of Intent
   1. Doug Hobbs Special Education Teacher for Van Allen
   2. Hannah Christian as 2nd Grade Teacher 
   3. Quinci Cottrell as K-5 Music Teacher 
   4. Brayden Good as Social Studies Teacher for the Middle School
   5. Nicki Schultz  as School Nurse
   6. Alan Schwarte as Middle School Principal

The school board passed the Instructional Support Levy Resolution. This levy will last for a period of five (5) years.  The Instructional Support Levy is made up of property tax and income surtax. Annually, the board will work with the Superintendent and Business Manager to determine the property tax and income surtax. Please see the entire explanation of this on our board agenda from March 18, 2024.

The school board also approved 10Fold Architecture & Engineering to rebid the High School Science Classroom HVAC Renovations Project. The tentative timeline is to open bids on April 4th. Since the bidding documents will remain the same, a new public hearing will not be required. This was due to some contractors withdrawing their bids and other technical mistakes in the bids.  

The school board also approved the bid from Midwest Heritage Bank to become the official bank for Chariton Community Schools beginning July 1, 2024. The school district recently accepted bids from all our area banks interested in becoming the official bank and they were the best fit for our district at this time. Our tentative plan is to accept bids from area banks every five years.  

Finally, Mr. Milledge included in his board report what the Charger Dome may look like after this summer’s facility upgrade project approved earlier this year.  The floor will be stripped down to the bare wood which must be done throughout the lifetime of a floor.  It was due last year but we put that off due to the multiple projects taking place in the district.  

Celebrations

Mr. Morgan included the following good news from Van Allen.  The staff organized a wonderful event for parents, grandparents, guardians, and other important people in their students' lives to come to the school and interact with their loved ones.  The talent show was also a huge success.

Our students never disappoint, as their efforts always give me plenty of opportunity to brag about their accomplishments.  Extracurricular activities are so important and teach many valuable lessons and skills.  This winter was no exception.  

Concert choir members selected to attend the Meistersinger Honor Choir were Kelly Morgan, Molly Colburn, Maddi Howell, and McKinleigh Milledge.  I had the opportunity to attend the concert and it was fabulous.  Thanks, Mr. Urich for making this possible for our students.

Mr. Curnutte and the Chariton Academic Team will be attending the National Academic Team Competition in Chicago in April.  Special thanks to People’s bank and Jodi Briggs, Branch Manager, for this donation of $770 to help cover some of the expenses.  

The CHS Archery Club had members qualify for the STATE Bullseye and 3-D Meet at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on March 2nd. State Bullseye qualifiers were Isaac Baird, Christian Brown, Jacob Gonthier, Gage Hart, Adrian O’Leary, Carson Oxenreider, Jason Pyatak, Jonathan Pyatak, Ledger Smith, and Leif Sundquist.  State 3D qualifiers were Ledger Smith, Isaac Baird, Carson Oxenreider, and Jonathan Pyatak. Congratulations to all these students.  

CHS had 9 individual Speech members qualify for 12 events at the state speech contest in Cedar Rapids on March 9th. Ms. Julieta and the students worked very hard to prepare for this event.  Students participating were Ethan Werts, Connor Dixson, Luis Acuna, Cody Dixson, Noah Hobbs, Issac Sundquist, Tommy Campbell, Bradley Hobbs, and Brett Morgan.

The Chariton Community High School FFA had some great individual and team performances at their sub-district and district competitions. Team members earned the following awards: Job Interview - Gold, Conduct of Meetings Team - Gold, Parliamentary Procedure Team - Silver, FFA Creed - Silver, Radio Broadcasting - Silver, Program of Activities - Sliver.  Karcyn Michael also received the State Academic Award for maintaining a 3.5 or higher GPA throughout high school.

Girls basketball, boys basketball, and our wrestling teams had a very successful season this year, and we had several athletes receive conference, district, and state honors.  They are as follows:

Charger boys basketball awards:

• All-Conference performers:
  • McKenzie Snook-1st Team
  • Tatyana Allen-Winston-1st Team
  • Addie McGee-2nd Team
  • Abby Doran-Honorable Mention
• Tatyana Allen-Winston was named to the IGCA All-District Team.
• Addie McGee and Mckenzie Snook were named to the IGCA Academic All-State Basketball Team.
• McKenzie Snook was named an Iowa Girls Coaches Association 3rd TEAM All-STATE member, Iowa Print Writer’s 3rd TEAM All-STATE member, and named to the IGCA All-District Team and the IBCA All-Region Basketball Teams.

The Charger boys basketball awards:

• All-Conference performers:

• Mason Smith-1st Team
• Quinten Gruwell-2nd Team
• Cameron Gibson-Honorable Mention
• Brock Oxenreider-Honorable Mention

The wrestling team awards and accomplishments:

• All-Conference performers:
  • Leah Chandler-1st Team
  • Blake Sharp-2nd Team
  • Dane Dyer-2nd Team
  • Ian Wilson-2nd Team
  • Lucas Anderson-Honorable Mention
  • Kaiden Anderson-Honorable Mention
  • Jacobie Garland-Honorable Mention

• Leah Chandler, who finished 2nd at the STATE wrestling meet in Coralville in February, was named to the Des Moines Register’s Honorable Mention Wrestling Team. 

I want to thank all the coaches, sponsors, and leaders of our extracurricular programs and teams. Their hard work and dedication to their programs and our students are unmatched. Thank you all! 

Quote for the month - Give one another grace and assume they have great intentions.

GO CHARGERS and THINK BIG !!!!  

Mr. Baker  #LBE

Phone - 641-774-5967

Email- brad.baker@chariton.k12.ia.us

Twitter -  @Super_Charger