^{Emily Anderson • Linn Grove Reading}

^{Leigh Anderson • Linn Grove Reading}

^{Melissa Bowers • Linn Grove Special Education}

^{Kelly Brennan • Excelsior Special Education}

^{Jill Brockschink • Bowman Wodos Fifth Grade}

^{Chelsie Clymer • Indian Creek Special Education}

^{Stacia Dautremont • Elementary Prevention Specialist}

^{Courtney East • Bowman Woods Third Grade}

^{Katie Eschweiler • Bowman Woods Third Grade}

^{Barbara Frahm • High School Special Education}

^{Rebecca Frantz • High School Science}

^{Katie Goedken • Oak Ridge Special Education}

^{Beth Goldberg • Oak Ridge Seventh Grade Language Arts/Social Studies}

^{Sha Hall • Oak Ridge Intervention Specialist}

^{Amy Heinen • High School Language Arts}

^{Kristi Hills • High School Foreign Language}

^{Kelly Hobson • High School Math}

^{Alicia Jessen • Elementary English Language Learner Teacher}

^{David Kennedy • High School Guidance Counselor}

^{Lindsey Knopp • Linn Grove Reading}

^{Kathryn Knudson • Linn Grove Guidance Counselor}

^{Ryan Kreher • Oak Ridge Second Grade}

^{Todd Lane • Excelsior Science}

^{Beth Linderbaum • Bowman Woods Physical Education}

^{Lori Ling • Westfield Talented and Gifted}

^{Jessica Maassen • High School Math}

^{Heather Markuson • Westfield Kindergarten}

^{Ashley Marousek • Westfield Reading}

^{Brooke Martens • Westfield Special Education}

^{Rachel Morris • Novak Fourth Grade}

^{Tesha Moser • Bowman Woods Second Grade}

^{Anah Nelson • Excelsior Foreign Language}

^{Jenny Neymeyer • Linn Grove Music}

^{Dan Niemitalo• High School Science}

^{Christina Northwick • High School Math}

^{Stephanie Nuss • Oak Ridge Instrumental Music}

^{Andrea Hutchinson • Oak Ridge First Grade}

^{Amanda Orris • Oak Ridge Third Grade}

^{Meredith Petersen • High School Social Studies/TAG}

^{Shelly Pottebaum • Novak First Grade}

^{Ben Pullen • Excelsior Special Education}

^{Jessica Smitterbergh • Westfield  Special Education}

^{Daniel Terrell • High School/Excelsior Instrumental Music}

^{Rachel Thomsen • High School Title 1}

^{Katherine Vail • Excelsior Orchestra}

^{Brett Van Hove • High School Social Studies}

^{Lindsay Vogt • High School Language Arts}

^{John Wennekamp • High School Language Arts}

Nearly 450 students began the school year in a brand new building, Linn Grove Elementary. Approved by voters in a January 2006 bond issue, Linn Grove houses Little Lions preschool and alternative kindergarten as well as kindergarten through fifth grades. The new production kitchen produces food for Linn Grove as well as food to be transported to Wilkins and Indian Creek. The bakery produces baked goods for the High School, Excelsior, Linn Grove, Indian Creek and Wilkins.

Over 1700 high school students attended classes in the remodeled High School. Also part of the January 2006 bond issue is the new Steven J. Colton Music Education Center with rehearsal rooms versatile enough to hold marching band practice. The new and remodeled science classrooms, new administrative and guidance offices, an additional cafeteria and expanded "four corners" hallway are also part of the renovation.

Students at Novak Elementary enjoyed new, more energy efficient windows because of the successful passage of the same bond issue. Bathrooms were remodeled and the perimeter of the building was also waterproofed with the bond money.

Construction at Echo Hill Elementary is underway and workers hope to have the building enclosed before winter. Echo Hill will house current Oak Ridge elementary students and some current Westfield students when it opens in the fall of 2008.

Revenues from the passage of the SILO tax in February 2007 are expected to arrive in October. Revenues from the voter approved 10-year tax are for property tax relief, infrastructure and technology.

For the fiscal year 2008, the District is applying $1.5 million of SILO funds to offset principal interest payments on previously issued general obligation bonds.

Infrastructure needs are being addressed. This summer, the Board of Education recommended a committee be formed to develop and recommend a Ten Year Master Plan implementation in priority order for facilities (includes buildings, grounds, and fields/courts) at Linn-Mar. The plan will align the academic, activity, and athletic needs of students to provide stimulating, safe and quality environments considering the available and expected financial resources.

The committee will use enrollment forecasts, the DLR Master Facility plan study, community plans for the 29th and 35th Avenue extensions, Anderson-Bogert Traffic Study, Shive Hattery Plan, District Strategic Plan and Updated Technology Plan to determine their recommendation to the Board due in October.

Computers are beginning to be replaced with SILO dollars earmarked for technology. The four oldest labs in the district are being replaced with new Apple iMac computers.

Wilkins Elementary Playground Project
Wilkins Elementary is in the process of raising money to build a new playground. Parts of the playground were 25-30 years old and need replacement. Wilkins’ advocates, including parents, teachers, students, and other caring supporters, have started a $65,000 fundraising campaign to replace and update the playground equipment. Over two hundred donations have been received thus far, including several individual donations over $1,000.

All monetary donations are greatly appreciated, and individuals who donate over $250 will get their family name on a panel at the playground. Donations are tax deductible and checks can be made out to Linn-Mar Foundation and mailed to: Wilkins Playground Project, 2127 27th Street, Marion, IA 52302.  Please call Trish Grundy at (319) 210-8636 with any questions. 

In addition an account has been opened at the consignment shop, Stuff, Etc., located at 252 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE.  All sales of the items dropped off for the benefit of Wilkins, when sold, will go directly to the playground fund.  Please call Stuff, Etc. at (319) 373-2380 to make a drop off appointment.

November 30   12:00 p.m.
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection • 3500 29th Avenue, Marion

February 29   12:00 p.m.
Christ Community Methodist Church • 3000 Alburnett Road, Marion

Parent Advisory
The Superintendent’s Parent Advisory is an opportunity for Dr. Katie Mulholland, superintendent, to share information and take questions from Linn-Mar parents. The advisory sessions will be held in the Educational Services Center, 3333 North Tenth Street, Marion.

December 4   5:15 p.m.
Board Room (ESC, lower level)

February 27   5:15 p.m.
Board Room (ESC, lower level)

Linn-Mar Home School Assistance Program Begins

District patrons attended an informational meeting in July regarding Linn-Mar’s home school assistance program. The program, previously shared with Marion Independent School District, is in it’s first year and equips parents with resources. Home School Assistance Coordinator Renee Krepfle is available for questions at (319) 447-3360 or rkrepfle@linnmar.k12.ia.us

Booster Club Clothing Sale Days
The Linn-Mar Booster Club will hold their annual clothing sales from 9:00 a.m. – Noon in the High School Cafeteria on the following dates:

Saturday, December 1

Hall of Fame Awards Presented Linn-Mar inducted the inaugural class into the Linn-Mar Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, September 7.  Following are the winners:

Tom Gatto
Tom spent 12 years at Linn-Mar (1974-1986). Tom was head coach for Junior High Girl’s Gymnastics, Varsity Boys’ Gymnastics and Varsity Girls’ Gymnastics while at Linn-Mar. Under Tom’s guidance, the Linn-Mar Boys’ Gymnastics team won two State championships (1979 and 1981). In Girl’s Gymnastics, Linn-Mar won State Championships in 1983 and 1985. Tom was voted the State Coach of the year in 1981 and 1985.

Dale Lassen
Dale lettered four years in baseball as a catcher/infielder and had a career batting average of over .400.  He also lettered in football during his senior year which was Linn-Mar’s first year to field a football team (1962).  Dale’s best sport was basketball in which he also lettered 4 times.  He is the only one to do so at this time.  Averaging over 20 points per game his junior and senior years, the team went on to win the conference championships.  He was named to the All-Conference team and Honorable Mention All-State in 1962 and 1963, when basketball was a one class system. Dale graduated in 1963 holding all Linn-Mar scoring records: points in a game (40), field goals in a game which still stands to this day (19), career points (982) and currently 3^rd all-time at Linn-Mar.  All of these records were accomplished prior to the three point line and only a sixteen game schedule.                                                                                                      

Todd Lumsden
Todd participated in football for one year and baseball for two years. His main sport was basketball in which he participated in all four years of high school and was a three year varsity letter winner. His accomplishments in basketball are as follows First Team All-State (1983), All-Conference three years, All-Metro three years, Iowa’s Mr. Basketball in (1983), Captain of State All-Tournament team (1983) and Converse All-American (1983).   

Paul Stoppels
Paul served as Athletic Director for Linn-Mar from 1974-1986, where he was very instrumental in the building of the current football stadium press box. Paul also took the lead in getting Linn-Mar into the Mississippi Valley Conference.  Paul also served a term as coach for Middle School girls and boys athletic teams.

Brent Thurness
Brent was a two year letter winner in football.  He was named to the First Team All-Conference and All-Metro defensive back.  He was a member of two conference championship teams while also earning All-State Honorable Mention honors. Brent also earned 3 letters in Track and Field where he was a member of three conference championship teams and was a conference champion as part of the 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams. Brent took sixth place at the state track meet 1986 in the 400 meter low hurdles and was also part of the 4x100 relay team that finished seventh place at the state meet. Brent was also a letter-winner in wrestling.

Nominations for the Linn-Mar Athletic Hall of Fame were accepted in January.  Nominees were required to meet three criteria.

Athletes – they must be out of school six years or more, must have participated in athletics
at Linn-Mar and must be a good citizen in their adult life.

Coach or Administrator – No longer coaching in that sport at Linn-Mar or no longer an administrator at Linn-Mar.

Supporter of Linn-Mar Athletics – Helps promote and attends all Linn-Mar Athletic events.

To nominate an individual, a letter of recommendation was submitted to the Athletic office with the nominee’s accomplishments, involvement and relationship to Linn-Mar High School and then were voted on by a selection committee.