Dr. Shauna Smith,

Smith

Marshalltown Community School District Executive Director of Education Services

2025 Celebrations

The district’s theme of “EMBRACE THE LEAD” was more than a slogan this year; it was a visible strategy through several key achievements.

• Academic Gains: Four school buildings earned the “Commendable” status on the Iowa School Performance Profile, reflecting a steady climb in student proficiency and engagement. Three buildings were recognized nationally through the US News and & World Report for ranking in the top 40% in the state.

• Literacy Leadership: Being one of only 28 districts in Iowa to receive the Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant positions MCSD as a leader in Science of Reading aligned instruction and provides financial support for the adoption of high quality literacy materials.

• Innovative Career Preparation: The launch of the 3DE program at Marshalltown High School, fostered by local partnerships with Mechdyne and MARSHALLTOWN COMPANY, is an incredible opportunity for students to connect classroom learning to real-world business challenges.

• Infrastructure & History: The Franklin Field renovation project is nearing completion. This isn’t just a sports complex for soccer, football, and track; it’s a century of Bobcat history restored with modern turf, a six-lane track, and facilities that serve as a community hub near the 13th Street District.

• Attendance Turnaround: A 6% increase in daily attendance rates is attributed to our collaboration of school social workers and our district focus to decrease chronic absenteeism post-pandemic.

• District-wide t-shirt donation: Every single elementary student in the district received a new Marshalltown BOBCATS t-shirt, ensuring that every child, regardless of background, could literally “wear their pride” on their sleeve creating a unified visual identity. This donation was made possible by Terry Buzbee who has been a steady cornerstone, shaping countless opportunities for students in the Marshalltown community.

• Safety and Security: MCSD is a leader in safety protocols, training, and technology to support the security of our students and staff. This is made possible through our collaboration with the Marshalltown Police Department.

2025 Challenges

• While the successes were numerous, 2025 also presented specific hurdles.

Enrollment Fluctuations: The district saw a decrease in certified enrollment (total students living in the Marshalltown school district), which impacts future budget authority. MCSD continues to have fewer students open-enroll out each year and more students open-enroll into the district.

• Legislative Changes: Adapting to new state laws regarding chronic absenteeism required significant focus and communication with families.

2026 Goals

• Fully open the renovated Franklin Field by summer, which includes public use; transition from design to the first construction phases of the Miller Middle School expansion.

• Select K-12 literacy high quality instructional materials, partially funded by the CLSD grant to elevate literacy student achievement.

• Improve Iowa School Performance Profile scores towards a commendable status, both at the building and district level. This includes improvements in our targeted areas of special education and English Learners.

• Expansion of Junior Achievement’s 3DE community partnerships at MHS for more rigorous career preparation and real-world learning.

Sorenson

Kendra Sorensen and

Norton

Rachel Norton, Marshalltown Area United Way

As we reflect on 2025, one word clearly defines the year: PARTNERSHIP.

Throughout the year, Marshalltown Area United Way (MAUW) built upon strong relationships with valued, long-standing partners across corporations, local businesses, county and municipal entities, schools, colleges, and numerous other community organizations. We are also grateful for our local media partners–the Times-Republican, KDAO, and KFJB–who helped highlight MAUW’s work and accomplishments throughout the year. In addition, we were pleased to welcome new Leadership Circle-level supporters, including Members1st Community Credit Union, T2K Nutrition, Nied’s Pharmacy, and the Kiwanis Club of Marshalltown among others.

We are especially excited about several newer partnerships that further enhanced our work and community impact. Collaborating with Bobcat Café to cater MAUW meetings and events has not only supported local business but also provided students with authentic, career-based learning experiences. Additionally, our partnership with MCC Student Productions–who produced our campaign video, created engaging social media content, and provided event photography and videography–has significantly expanded our reach and visibility.

Serving as a trusted community liaison, MAUW participated in or presented at more than 50 community engagements in 2025, strengthening outreach across the human services sector. Together with our partners, we continued to create pathways that promote healthy lifestyles, expand youth opportunities, strengthen financial security, and foster community resiliency.

This year, MAUW hosted an impressive 17 fundraising events, led by two premier initiatives. The Charity Golf Event, sponsored by Gary Schaudt with Central Iowa Capital Advisors, exceeded expectations by raising $29,726, while Power of the Purse generated an outstanding $46,911. Combined, these events raised $96,955–surpassing last year’s total of $86,882. Additionally, our second annual Turkey Trot 5K/10K on Thanksgiving welcomed almost 200 participants, a significant increase from approximately 60 the previous year. We extend our sincere appreciation to the businesses, individuals, and volunteers whose sponsorship, attendance, and support made these events possible!

Because of this collective commitment, MAUW has currently reached 94% of our $900,000 campaign goal, supporting 30 vital local programs. As we enter the final days of the 2025-2026 Campaign, which concludes on January 6, 2026, we are deeply grateful to our partners, sponsors, donors, and supporters who continue to make this work possible.

We offer special recognition to our 2025-2026 Campaign Co-Chairs, Robert Maharry and Maria Gonzalez-Alvarez, whose leadership and dedication were instrumental in this year’s success.

While 2025 brought many accomplishments, it also presented opportunities for growth. On a day after day basis, MAUW receives inquiries from individuals and families who feel they have nowhere else to turn. Each scenario is met with compassion and care as we listen, assess needs, and connect community members to appropriate resources. In 2025 alone, MAUW responded to well over 200 inquiries for assistance.

Another significant challenge arose when SNAP benefits were temporarily unavailable due to a government shutdown. Recognizing the urgency, MAUW acted swiftly. Within 72 hours, we launched the Feed the Need Food Drive, establishing 14 drop-off locations across the Marshalltown area. Donations were distributed to five local nonprofit organizations, including the ISU Extension Office, which supports Little Free Food Pantries throughout the community. We also hosted a Day of Action to support community-wide volunteer efforts and coordinated a hygiene drive to provide essential items to individuals and families in need.

Looking ahead to 2026, we are excited to welcome our new Campaign Co-Chairs, Sadie Weekley, Captain with the Marshalltown Police Department, and Emma Michels, Director of Community Engagement with CAPS. Both bring a shared passion for service and a deep commitment to our community, and we look forward to a dynamic and impactful year ahead.

MAUW staff will continue expanding outreach through increased community engagement, presentations, and innovative events, while amplifying success stories that demonstrate the power of collaboration and inspire others to join us–because United is the Way™.

Heather Thomas,

Marshalltown Public Works Director

Thomas

As I look at this past year, public works staff were involved in overseeing more than $35 Million in Capital Projects in varying design and construction stages in addition to daily operation and maintenance activities. The progress made on these projects were some great successes, such as largely wrapping up the Headworks and Digester Project at Water Pollution Control; the Sanitary Sewer CIPP Project; 6th St Connector Trail, and the Riverview Park Improvement Project while making progress on PCC Street Patching, HMA Street Crack Sealing, and the Downtown Center / E Main St Reconstruction Street Project. However, in a similar realm, the challenges come from having a much greater need of capital projects to address aging infrastructure that exceeded our available resources and capacity. As we look towards 2026, we are looking to wrap up projects such as the 4th & Hughes Storm Sewer Repairs and Improvements; Iowa River’s Edge Trail Bridges 2- 5; Water Plaza; 6th St Trailhead and Pedestrian Bridge; Airport Master Plan, and the Downtown Center / E Main St Reconstruction Street Project. With bids due in January, we are also planning on the Center St Viaduct Rehabilitation Project being under construction in 2026. As we look at goals for 2026, we look at progressing design for projects on Highland Acres Road (Lincoln Way to Main St), E Main St (5th-12th Ave), Highway 14 (Anson St from Center St to 3rd Ave & 3rd Ave from Anson St to Riverside St), a Storm Sewer Improvement Project, a Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation project, a Sidewalk Project near Hoglan School, and pull together a 5-year Residential Street Improvement Program to present to City Council for their consideration of allocating future funding towards.

Gary Thompson,

Marshalltown At-Large City Councilor

Thompson

Personally I cannot believe how fast 2025 flew by, and Joel Greer’s guest editorial did an excellent job of listing the highlights of the year. Not much for me to add other than on the day I lost the election for Mayor, I gained my sixth grandchild. So the day was a victory after all.

In 2026 I am looking forward to working with the current and new members of the Council. My hope is we can agree to spend the taxpayers’ money conservatively while concentrating on specific projects that truly benefit the 27,000 people that call Marshalltown home.

The new year is going to be a very busy and interesting year. I am optimistic that Carol Webb, our City Administrator, is going to bring results oriented specific goals to the Council for approval. I ask all citizens to get involved, attend our meetings, and voice their opinions.