NIC expands to 11

The North Iowa Conference (NIC) has been undergoing some changes lately.  Since adding North Union and Algona Bishop Garrigan as members recently, other districts have inquired, requested to join, and/or met with various members of the NIC.  During that process, one district had some very in-depth and obviously emotional discussions in their community.  Eagle Grove, a district on the  southwestern edge of the NIC, voted 3-2 at the board of education to leave the North Central Conference (NCC) starting in the fall of the 2014-2015 school year. As one would expect, it is not easy to leave a conference such as the NCC with their strong history of success and doing good things for students.  There is also a prestige that is held in the NCC as a perennial power, and...

Read more »

Growth in Shrinking Times

The North Iowa Conference (NIC) has lately been a leader in foward thinking.  With schools shrinking and merging, the NIC leaders have had the forethought to expand the conference or at least facilitate that growth.  In an approach of transparency and collaboration, the NIC has made affiliation available to schools that will benefit from a change of membership.  The schools of Belmond-Klemme, Garner-Hayfield-Ventura, Forest City, Lake Mills, Mason City Newman, North Iowa, Osage, and West Hancock have opened the doors successfully to North Union and Algona Bishop Garrigan.  Both schools have actively joined in the partnership which is the North Iowa Conference.  Additionally other schools have had similar conversations, including the entire Cornbowl Conference.  Collectively...

Read more »

Letter to the Editor

It has been quite a while since I have posted a blog.  Shame on me, and slap my hand.  I wish it was different, but some scary events in Connecticut caused me to sit down and write again.  The below was also submitted to the local paper who graciously printed it, so I held off on putting it here on Bronco Bits until that paper was released.  Although this post is about a week after I wrote it, the value remains, if for nothing more than my opportunity to write it. We live in an incomprehensible world.  That fact is not hard to support following the truly horrific events of this past Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.  The loss of 26 lives – most of them young, innocent children – is something that we must now confront.  Although...

Read more »

Twitter organizer, anyone?

Here is the proof that I've been living under a rock.  I just got up and moving on a twitter account - @SuptMLewis.  Yes, I know that is something that should have happened a long time ago, and I hope that it isn't just a quick flash in the pan for me.  As this "new to me" opportunity emerges, I just wonder how I am going to stay on top of it.  I know that isn't the point, but until it becomes relatively natural to post things (shoutout to Dr. Scott McLoed, who appears to have an ability to post on his blog, twitter, and 7 other places simultaneously - and all with entirely different topics) it will need to be a conscious effort.  My downfall with blogging, facebook, and whatever else is not a lack of enjoying it, but it is a lack of getting things out of the process...

Read more »

NEW!

New, new new!!  We all like the new stuff.  Cutting edge tends to catch our attention.  So as we start a NEW school year with NEW educators and NEW students, it should be an exhilarating experience.  So far it has been just that.  On top of that, let's add:  NEW approaches to curriculum (Core), NEW technology, NEW initiatives, NEW reporting (C-Plan, anyone?) and NEW fill in the blank for you. Someone stop me before I start selling a NEW mixer or NEW athletic shoes.  The one thing that still concerns me is that while we have all of these NEW things on which to focus, we tend to do so with the same approach with which we have become comfortable.  You do know that "we" tend to teach the way "we" were taught, which tends to be a little bit of a impediment...

Read more »

How Do YOU Define Success?

Listening to several people talk recently about the successes and failures that they had been experiencing caused me to stop and assess the concept for a moment.  In these conversations, the concept of success was relatively definable based on some objective form.  The concept of money, wins, happiness, possessions, and/or fame are all somewhat tangible concepts that people often use to measure success.  Typically it comes in a comparison with someone else such as "more money" or "more famous" than another person.  What eluded all of these people in the conversations was the fact that each one had their own "bar" set for what is success.  The possessions of one person may seem like a failure, while the next may feel exceedingly successful in amassing the same...

Read more »

Final Words to Belmond-Klemme's Class of 2012

The Belmond-Klemme Class of 2012 (which includes my own son) left the school doors just minutes ago.   In the welcome speech, I had the chance to have the last word before they officially completed their high school careers.  This is that speech: Good afternoon.  My name is Marshall Lewis, and I am the proud Superintendent of Belmond-Klemme.  It is my opportunity and pleasure to welcome you to today’s celebration of the students we serve…a celebration of the years of classrooms, sports, music, honors, accomplishments, and learning.  As a community of learners, we formally recognize today the advancement of these young men and women on the basis of their academic success.  We informally recognize today that the pathways of their futures...

Read more »

Updating Posts: Blogging and Negotiations

Recently I have posted a couple of blogs:  Does This Matter and Negotiations - Yay! In doing so, this is my opportunity to do a little "followup" on these two topics. First, I don't know if it matters!  My plan was to post a blog every 3-4 days in April to see if I had any more readers based on the frequency of the posts.  Well, I failed miserably on my end.  I posted 3-4 all month!  So essentially I have no clue whether it would have enhanced anything or not.  For those of you waiting on the edge of your seat for my doctoral data to emerge, I apologize, although I'm pretty sure there is safety in acknowledging there is nobody in that category. Second, the Belmond-Klemme school and both associations have achieved tentative agreements this past week. ...

Read more »

Negotiations - Yay!

True - most people that are actually involved in annual negotiations are not probably kicking up their heels in celebration.  Whether it is in the school system (like I am) or in any other industry, negotiation of contracts does not typically elicit a positive, warm and fuzzy feeling.  Many people envision this conversation as a necessary evil of doing business - a distasteful aspect of the interaction of management and labor. In all honesty, that is too bad.  What we really have is an opportunity for individuals representing different perspectives to get together and find solutions to what appears to be a problem:  "We want it" vs. "We don't want to give it."  Now, I'm not saying that the process should cause us to get all tingly and happy, because no matter how...

Read more »

Finding the Roses

It has been my typical effort to find something relatively intellectual or at least conversational for my posts.  After all, my purpose for blogging has been based in a desire to learn from others.  I'm clearly leaving that arena this time, and my post is much more personal and less professional. Recently, I had the opportunity to golf with one of my children.  We have done this before, and we always have a good time.  This time, however, was exceptional.  Because neither of us is good, we play best shot typically.  Usually we use 80-90 percent of my shots.  This time, it was about 70 percent his.  Essentially, this means he out played me.  In a normal situation, that would have frustrated me as I am very competitive and do not like to do anything...

Read more »

Fiscal Responsibility and Rugby

The Belmond-Klemme Community School District has been working very hard in recent years to make financial progress in stabilizing the future for our schools, educators, and students.  The balance is a difficult one as we strive to provide the best possible experiences for ALL and yet maintain a tight rope on the expenditure line.  Some progress has been noted in certain areas, but we clearly have a long way to go and the road ahead does not appear to flatten, straighten, or smooth. We will continue to be frugal and conscious in our efforts to provide for our students.  That means that we look at all of the expenses we amass at any time with the filter of "what is best for kids" and make appropriate determinations.  Not...

Read more »

Does This Matter?

This morning I just did a little review of my blogging stats.  The final conclusion is this:  It really doesn't matter what I do. I'm serious about that.  It appears that occasionally people happen across my blog and take a peek.  The statistics say that happens about 10 times a day or so.  The reason I believe this to be the phenomenon is that I haven't blogged since January 24th, and the numbers aren't really changing.  At one point I thought maybe a few people were interested in some of the topics and conversations that were being held here.  Some of that may be true, but it doesn't seem like that is the overwhelming majority. Now, that being said, I did have almost 800 hits in one month (compared to the 300 or so recently), so there may still be some...

Read more »

Snow Day!

Everyone loves a snow day!  At least it is my hope that you enjoyed the day doing something you like while Belmond-Klemme took a day of unplanned vacation due to winter weather.  Although it took some time to get here, North Iowa felt the snowy effect with a decisive Friday morning of the white stuff.  This time it looks like it will stay for a while, which means that roadways and travel become more unpredictable.  Keep your vehicle prepared and be wary of the wind, which can cause whiteouts and drifting even with no snow in the forecast.  This being the first day that BK has cancelled, we are on the third planned make-up day of the year.  February 20 will be used in order to keep the annual days of learning at 180.  This is Presidents' Day as well, and...

Read more »

Welcome to 2012

So the ball has dropped, the midnight kisses taken, the champagne toast given, and 2012 has begun.  To my east I saw a beautiful sunrise and the snow has stayed away from our Northern Iowa residence.  We have had time with family and friends, some time at the office allowed me to catch up on some (not all) outstanding items, and the Holiday Season, full of hustle, bustle, and stress has faded into the past. All in all, a wonderful and productive few days.  Life is beautiful and things are going well... So what?  (Insert sounds of screeching tires and crashing garbage cans here).  What can I possibly mean by, "So what?" Seriously?!?  How in the world can I say such a thing after the near miracle of a Holiday Break filled with all of the above? ...

Read more »

Good Bye to the Old Horse

After spending the last however long blogging on Bronco Bits, it is now time to close the door on my original blog:  Beating the Dead Horse.  Although the time I spent on that blog was equally enjoyable, and there were a few good discussions/arguments, it is just something that I have not kept current.  So, to that one reader somewhere in France that has checked in a couple of times in the last month, including today:  Farewell.  All of the articles that were written there have been uploaded (or is it downloaded in this case?) to Bronco Bits, so there is still a bit of the "Old Horse" in the "New Bronco" I guess.  If you are extremely bored and just are wondering how to spend those last few minutes of precious time this evening, feel free to look back at the...

Read more »