Bobcats Making Headlines

Marshalltown High School Athletics is proud to introduce Todd Oberthien as the next head coach of the Bobcats Baseball program.

As a former player and a coach, Coach Oberthien has exemplary leadership skills, extensive knowledge of baseball and genuine passion for the game. He currently serves as Housing Coordinator and assistant baseball coach for Marshalltown Community College.

“I am excited for the opportunity to help grow and lead the Bobcats Baseball program,” Oberthien said. “I will be looking to bring new energy and a new style of play to the team. I want kids to want to join the baseball team and know they are a part of something special. Bobcat Baseball is going to be fun, competitive, and energetic – it will be a community staple going forward.”

Oberthien’s background includes baseball coaching experience at Central College and Hartwick Ladora Victor Community School District. He also brings extensive coaching experience at camps and clinics for the Diamond Dreams Academy in North Liberty, as well as at Perfect Game All-Iowa Select in Cedar Rapids. 

“We are very excited to see what Todd will do to build and sustain Bobcats Baseball for the next generation of Marshalltown kids,” said MHS Activities Director Ryan Isgrig. “Not only will he bring his knowledge of baseball analytics, techniques, mechanics and logistics, but Todd will also sharpen our kids with life skills – leadership, teamwork, discipline and dedication – the things they need to be successful in life.”

As a player, Oberthien was no stranger to success. He graduated from Solon High School in 2013, where he earned distinction as an All-District utility player and was part of back-to-back Iowa State High School Baseball Championship teams in 2010 and 2011.

Oberthien continued his baseball career for two years at MCC. Upon graduation, he transferred to Mount Mercy University, earning a B.A. in Business and Sports Management in 2018. That same year, he was named the Heart of America Conference Honorable Mention Relief Pitcher.

“I believe Coach Oberthien will rekindle that fire that the Marshalltown community has always had for baseball,” Isgrig said. “I am confident he will cultivate a sense of pride in the Bobcats Baseball uniform and will ignite a renewed passion for the game among our student-athletes.”

The Bobcats Baseball season officially begins on May 2, 2022.

Alliant Energy is an incredibly valuable partner in the Marshalltown CSD’s Bobcat Ready efforts, and the company has been recognized with an MCSD Career Readiness Partner Award!

“I’ve been very appreciative of [Alliant Energy] getting on board with Junior Achievement – they were one of the first organizations that sent external volunteers to help us with that effort,” said Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte, who presented the award to Alliant Energy Training Specialist Lori Wildman and Senior Manager of Customer Operations Carla Gall.

Dr. Schutte also pointed to the company’s support of bringing Miller Middle School’s Modular Technology Lab to life and it’s key role in the Marshalltown Business and Education Alliance (MBEA) as further examples of commitment to Bobcat students’ career readiness.

Alliant Energy has also hosted MCSD teachers for externship academy experiences, and has implemented online programs allowing Bobcat students to learn about energy basics. Students are able to access valuable internship and pre-apprenticeship experiences through the MCSD-Alliant Energy partnership.

“We just like to engage students whenever we can,” Wildman said.

Thank you to Alliant Energy for being excellent partners in ensuring students are Bobcat Ready!

Another top-notch community partner has been presented with an MCSD Career Readiness Partner Award! 

Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte said Emerson-Fisher Controls has played a crucial role in several career readiness initiatives for Bobcat students. Emerson Director of Human Resources for the Americas Sarah Erickson accepted the award on the company’s behalf this week.

“They have been highly engaged with the District providing human capital support encouraging their employees to volunteer for Junior Achievement, the Lenihan tutoring program and the Women’s Impact Network,” Dr. Schutte said of Emerson. “They have been significant financial supporters of PLTW, STEM and CTE initiatives such as ST Math.”

He added that Emerson has played a key role as a member of the Marshalltown Business and Education Alliance (MBEA), and has provided Bobcat students with unique summer work-based learning opportunities.

Thank you to Emerson-Fisher Controls for being an outstanding partner in our Bobcat Career Ready efforts!

Having a safe, reliable way to get to and from school each day is incredibly important for all Bobcat students, and a recent grant award will support student transportation.

Lenihan Intermediate School was awarded $1,000 through the Theisen’s More for Your Community Grant – the funds will cover the cost of Marshalltown Municipal Transit bus passes for Lenihan students who do not ride a District school bus. The school was one of more than 350 grant applicants.

This award will support the partnership between MCSD and the City of Marshalltown to provide transportation services for all students, regardless of where they live within the District.

Thank you to Theisen’s for supporting Bobcat students!

Lennox Industries is among Marshalltown’s top employers, and the company has been an outstanding Career Readiness Partner with MCSD in supporting students, their parents and District staff in career readiness efforts.

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for that support for our District,” said Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte, who presented an MCSD Career Readiness Partnership award to Lennox Director of Plant Operations Miguel Gutierrez and HR Director Jess O’Neil earlier this week.

Gutierrez said he looks forward to continuing Lennox’s partnership with Marshalltown Schools on Bobcat Ready efforts.

In addition to the company’s support of STEM and career and technical education initiatives, including ST Math and Project Lead the Way, Lennox employees have consistently volunteered to provide career-based learning for Bobcat students through the Junior Achievement program. Lennox is also a committed member of the Marshalltown Business Education Alliance (MBEA).

Most recently, Lennox has partnered with MCSD on projects to install new air conditioning at the original portion of Marshalltown High School and to perform renovation work at Anson Elementary School. Thank you to Lennox Industries!

Four exemplary Marshalltown CSD staff members have been recognized with an Employee of the Quarter award for the First Quarter of 2021-22. The honorees include:

• Hannah Pfantz – Hoglan Elementary third grade teacher
• Yolanda Mejia – Woodbury Elementary food service
• Paul Sibbel – Lenihan Intermediate School band director
• Randy Weir – District Transportation bus driver

All four Employees of the Quarter were nominated by their peers due to their exceptional dedication, positive attitudes, and going above and beyond to serve Bobcat students and families.

“Not only is Hannah part of an amazing grade level teaching team which fosters innovation to engage and educate every student, she goes the extra mile to form connections with each of her students,” said XLP teacher Nicole Holman Lankelma, who nominated Pfantz.

At Woodbury Elementary, Yolanda Mejia was applauded for her positivity and hard work as part of the District’s nutrition team. She was nominated by Nutrition Supervisor Michelle Diers. 

“Yolanda is the ‘glue’ to our Woodbury kitchen. She builds rapport with students and staff, she’s friendly, a team player and a leader,” Diers said. “She knows individual student dietary needs and collaborates well with the on-site nurse for allergy accommodations.”

Lenihan Band Director Paul Sibbel does a great job of bringing music into students’ lives. 

“Mr. Sibbel has single-handedly recruited over 130 fifth-graders into our band program. This recruitment effort is felt through his 6th grade band, Miller’s 7th/8th grade bands, and in the High School band program,” said MHS Assistant Band Director Brian Lewsadder, who nominated Sibbel. “His efforts inspire young musicians to be the best they can be.”

Bus driver Randy Weir’s dedication to getting students to and from school safely, and his willingness to support the District’s transportation needs, were qualities highlighted in his nomination.

“Randy goes beyond just driving a route; whenever a call for assistance is put out over the radio communications from dispatch, Randy responds that he is available to help,” said MCSD Transportation Director Rex Kozak. “He works with the other drivers to make sure they understand what is expected and helps them out in any way he can. He will help the mechanics get buses to different locations for repairs when needed.”

Thank you to these four incredible school staff members!

The 2020-21 Marshalltown School Board’s dedication to learning and leadership has been recognized with an Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) Better Boardsmanship Team Achievement Award.

The Marshalltown School Board is one of just seven board teams statewide to earn the annual award. The board qualified for the team award because a majority of board members earned IASB Individual Achievement Awards, including Bea Niblock, Sean Heitmann, Mike Miller, Karina Hernandez, Sara Faltys and Jan McGinnis.

Both the team award and individual awards recognize board members’ dedication of time and effort to learning, advocacy, leadership and service projects to expand their knowledge and skills for better governance.

Additionally, Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte was named as a 2020-21 Award of Honor recipient for investing time and effort to build skills and knowledge needed to be an informed decision maker.

Congratulations to all of these exceptional school leaders!

Marshalltown’s largest employer is among the Marshalltown Community School District’s key partners. JBS Marshalltown Human Resources Director Patrick Brue recently accepted a Career Readiness Partner award from MCSD on behalf of the company.

“Marshalltown is extraordinarily well-known for having longstanding and strong relationships,” said Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte. “[JBS Marshalltown] has been an extraordinary partner.”

Dr. Schutte gave several examples of how JBS has supported the District’s Bobcat Ready efforts, including initiatives like the Better Futures post-secondary education funding program. The Better Futures program helps to cover post-secondary education tuition costs for local JBS employees and their families, including many Bobcat students.

Also highlighted were the company’s efforts to support MCSD through generous initiatives, such as donating water bottles and face masks for use by students and staff amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thank you to JBS Marshalltown for being an outstanding Career Readiness Partner!

Chilly fall weather didn’t stop several Lenihan Intermediate School Junior Conservationists from enjoying outdoor learning activities at Green Castle Recreation Area this week.

The fifth- and sixth grade Extended Learning Program (XLP) students chose to study water and aquatic animals this school year as Junior Conservationists. To aid in that learning, Marshall County Conservation Board staff hosted fun, educational activities at Green Castle’s Gander Lookout Shelter on Wednesday.

At one of the stations, students got to make their own soft-plastic fishing lures. The lures were made by heating up the plastic, pouring it into a mold, and then letting it solidify into a colorful, curly-tailed lure.

Students also teamed up to research fish behavior and anatomy in order to solve puzzles for a “fish escape room” activity. Additionally, MCCB staff offered plenty of fishing rods and reels for the students to cast a line from the bank of the lake.

The students are looking forward to learning more about different kinds of waterways and the creatures that call them home this school year. Thank you to the Marshall County Conservation Board for providing great hands-on learning experiences for these Bobcat Junior Conservationists!

The Marshalltown CSD has recognized Marshalltown Company’s outstanding support and service to Bobcat students, their parents and District staff in Bobcat Ready career readiness efforts.

Marshalltown Company CFO John Landherr accepted an MCSD “Career Readiness Partner” award from Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte on behalf of the company at this week’s Marshalltown School Board meeting.

“Marshalltown Company has provided significant financial support for STEM and CTE initiatives, including ST Math, Project Lead the Way and, most recently, our Construction Trades classes at Marshalltown High School,” Dr. Schutte said, adding that company employees have supported the District through volunteering to lead Junior Achievement classes and by supporting technology planning efforts.

Dr. Schutte also praised the children’s books written by Marshalltown Company President/CEO Joe Carter which highlight local career opportunities in the company’s line of work. Carter has personally presented to MCSD elementary students about the books, and copies have been donated to school libraries.

Thank you to Marshalltown Company for supporting Bobcat Ready efforts!