Superintendent's Message for March 2025

Hello, Chargers!!

Welcome back, everyone!  I hope the break was a good chance to recharge your batteries and gain some much needed time to relax.  We are eager to continue our work to finish the year strong for all our students.  

2025-26 School Calendar Development

At Chariton CSD, we understand the critical importance of developing a school calendar that supports both our students' academic needs and our community's diverse needs. As we work toward finalizing our school calendar for the upcoming year, we are committed to ensuring that it not only meets the instructional requirements of the curriculum but also accommodates the unique schedules, traditions, and concerns of the families we serve.

The school calendar plays an essential role in shaping the educational experience, providing our students with the time they need to engage in meaningful learning while balancing necessary breaks for rest and rejuvenation. We recognize that our community comprises a variety of families with different work schedules, holiday observances, and extracurricular commitments. To create a truly inclusive calendar, we actively seek input from parents, students, staff, and community members.

By aligning the school year with these diverse needs, we aim to optimize student learning, foster family engagement, and promote overall well-being. Additionally, we strive to ensure that the instructional time is structured to give every student the best opportunity for academic success while maintaining a healthy work-life balance for our staff and families.

We are grateful for the ongoing collaboration with our community members as we continue to refine a school calendar that supports our students' needs and our community's values. We look forward to the continued dialogue and welcome any feedback that will help us create a positive and supportive learning environment for all.

We plan to have a calendar to consider approving during our April 14th School Board meeting.  

Legislative Update

Below are links to the latest RSAI Capitol Recap Report and Video from the 2025 Legislative Session. The video and the accompanying report include information about:

• Property Tax Overhaul Announced
• Governor’s Initiatives All Survive the Funnel Deadlines: Bill Numbers and Status
• SSA Still Stuck: Create Advocacy Moments
• Property Tax Statements: Subcommittee this Week and Des Moines Register Article
• Funnel Reminders
• Funnel Survivors
• Some Notable Bills Dead Due to the March 7 Funnel
• Advocacy Actions for the Week and Resources

Download this week’s RSAI Legislative Recap Written Report

Download this week’s RSAI Capitol Recap Video

Note: After recording this week’s Video, the House and Senate Republican Property Tax Bills were announced. See the written Weekly Report for initial details and stay tuned for more analysis. Find these weekly videos, written reports, advocacy tools and other helpful information on the 2025 Legislative page of the RSAI website.

Needs Assessment Survey - Extended

We have extended the IASB Needs Assessment Survey for our district.  Please take a few moments to complete this critical data collection survey so that we can enhance our school district.  Your participation in this survey is invaluable in shaping the future of our school district. Together, we can ensure that every student receives the support and opportunities they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Survey Link and Information

Family Literacy Night Held

Columbus and Van Allen Elementary held a Family Literacy Night on February 25th at Columbus Elementary.  We were impressed by the number of families and students that attended this event.  The night featured Mady Foster, a children’s author and second-grade teacher.  Bags with “I Love Reading,” and snacks were also handed out.  I want to thank all the parents and students who attended, as well as all of the staff members of our school.

Homeschool Assistance Program 

The Chariton Community School held an informational meeting about starting a homeschool assistance program for the 2025-26 school year.  38 adults and 11 kids attended this meeting held at Johnson Auditorium.  Questionnaires were distributed, and contact information was provided for follow-up questions or conversations.   Please reach out to Brad Baker or Alan Schwarte if you are interested in the program or need more information.

CELEBRATIONS

Elementary Music Program

A HUGE shout out to the following people for ensuring our second and third-grade students could participate in an elementary music program this year.  Due to the absence of a full-time instructor, these students have missed out on this experience for the last couple of years.  

Organizers, Instructors, and Participants

Dawn Morgan- Sub/Concert Director

Chelsea Belcher- Additional music sub

Ryan Gruman- Assisted with the concert

Tyler Urich - Assisted with the concert

Josh Morgan - Pianist

2nd Grade Teachers                     Third Grade Teachers              Chariton MS & HS students

Abbey Griffin                                  Salli Milledge                               Sarah Morgan

Caroline Hunkele                            Jennifer Pfeifer                             Genesis Martinez

Nicki Paige                                     Michelle Smith                              Molly Morgan

Allison Renaud                               Tessa Latham                                 Leif Sundquist

Melanie Robinson                                                                                 Adrian O'Leary

SCC Academic Team

The Chargers are CHAMPIONS again in the SCC! This is now the 4th Title in a row for the Academic Team (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025). Congratulations to the "B" team as well, who went 3-2 on the day, and the SCC All-Conference members from Chariton-Lucas Anderson, Luis Acuna, Ethan Werts, and Calvin Allwood.

Mr. Tim Curnutte also deserves a big round of applause for the job he does every year with this group. He puts a lot of time and effort into helping our kids achieve great things, and his work is definitely deserving of praise! Thank you, Coach Curnutte!

I would like to announce and celebrate Jayme Braida for being selected as School Administrator of Iowa’s Elementary Principal of the Year.  Her hard work and dedication to the profession are worthy of this award.  

Upcoming Board meetings

Proposed taxpayer notice public hearing- March 24th at 5:30 PM

Please visit our website at https://www.charitonschools.org/ for additional information about our school district.

GO CHARGERS and THINK BIG !!!!  

Mr. Baker, #LBE

Phone - 641-774-5967

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

Twitter -  @Super_Charger