MFL MarMac Community School
Regular Meeting
Monday, February 12, 2024
The MFL MarMac Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors was held on February 12, 2024, in the Learning Commons of the Monona Schoolhouse.
President Gina Roys called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Members present at roll call were Tonya Meyer, Roberta Hass, Aaron Schroeder, Josh Grau, Danielle Schlake and Dr. Jon Moser. Also present were Tim Dugger; Superintendent, Karla Hanson; Board Secretary, and Student board members, Mindy Keehner and Aiden Whitney.
Motion by Roberta Hass, seconded by Josh Grau, to approve the agenda with the removal of 105 Assistance Animal policy, second reading. Mr. Dugger will be making more changes to the policy before the next board meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Tonya Meyer, seconded by Aaron Schroeder, to approve the consent items from the agenda as follows:
- Minutes from the January 15, 2023, Regular Board
- Bills against the district as listed: General Fund: $181,344.80, Management: $0.00; Enterprise: $1,170.00; Capital Projects: $7,383.52, PPEL: $55,236.28; Activity Account: $51,593.78, Food Service: $25,717.90; Little Bulldog Childcare: $7,638.90, Dr. Smith Childcare: $1,289.68.
- The Secretary’s Report, Activity Report and Food Service Report will be filed subject to audit.
The motion was unanimously carried.
Motion by Josh Grau, seconded by Dr. Moser, to approve the following:
Resignations: Jaydeane Berns, Vocal Music
David Corlett, 8th Grade Boys Basketball
Curtis Goodman, HS Business Teacher, Weightroom Supervisor, Paraprofessional
Brenda Davies, Food Service
Hires: Shauna Lange, Elementary Teacher
Shannon Bentien, Elementary Teacher
Ian Zahren, Vocal Music
Lily Hoeger, Girls Soccer Coach
Motion carried unanimously.
Ian Zahren, Independent Candidate for Iowa House District 64, introduced himself to the board and briefly talked about his commitment to and vision for District 64.
Brian Stark, Martin Gardner Architects, presented the plans for high school science room upgrades to begin this summer. The upgrades include new floor plan for the physics room to increase class size, new exhaust fans, lighting, flooring, lab tables, shelving and window shades. The cost is estimated to be around $500,000.00 and will be paid with State Sales Tax. Motion by Dr. Moser, seconded by Roberta Hass, to give Brian Stark approval to begin soliciting bids for the high school science rooms project.
The crow’s nest project will be reviewed at the March 11, 2024, meeting. Estimated cost for this project is around $100,000.00.
The board reviewed the proposed calendar presented by Mr. Dugger. August 23, 2024, will fall on a Friday this year. State legislators may change the allowable start date, which will require making adjustments. A public hearing will be held on March 11, 2024.
Motion by Aaron Schroeder, seconded by Dr. Moser, to set the Budget Public Hearing for March 26, 2024, to meet the Iowa Legislative requirements. A second hearing will be held on April 15, 2024. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Roberta Hass, seconded by Danielle Schlake, to approve the leased purchase of a 2024 Blue Bird LP 71-passenger bus. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Aaron Schroeder, seconded by Jon Moser, to approve the first readings of the following board policies: 102 Equal Educational Opportunity, 102.E1 Annual Notice, 102.E2 Continuous Notice, 102.E3 Section 540, 102.E4 Complaint Form and 102.E5 Disclosure Form. Second readings approved included: 100 Legal Status of the School District, 101 Educational Philosophy of the school District, 101.1 Mission and Vission Statements, 103 Long-Range Strategic Planning and 106 Title IX. Motion carried unanimously.
The board discussed changes in the Upper Iowa Conference. Crestwood has been approved to join the conference beginning in the 2025-2026 season. A vote is expected on allowing Waukon, New Hampton and Decorah into the district, as well. The board expressed concern over the large discrepancy in enrollment between some of the schools. Motion by Tonya Meyer, seconded by Aaron Schroeder, to accept New Hampton and Waukon into the conference and to recommend that every district plays all of the other districts in the conference. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Dr. Moser, seconded by Aaron Schroeder, to add Melissa Haberichter to the Facility Committee and accept the committee plan as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
REPORTS:
Mindy Keehner, Student Board Member, reported the following activities in the high school: Cancer Awareness Week resulted in four donations to local families, band members played with Dallas Brass at the Elkader Opera House, Bleacher Blast, Large Group Speech, State contests, All State, Legacy competitions, UIC Conference Champion title for girls basketball, SODA will participate in Day on the Hill, National FFA week is coming up, five football players signed letters of intent to three different colleges, two wrestlers made it to the state tournament and the boys and girls basketball teams have tournament play this week.
Larry Meyer, High School Principal, added the girl’s wrestling also finished up and Pathfinders is being used to help students explore different career options.
Denise Mueller, Middle School Principal, reports the following Middle School activities: winter sports are winding down, monthly safety meetings continue, wellness committee meets once a week, ski trips, author visit, winter formal, Cory Greenwood assembly, concert and kudos to the staff who has done an exceptional job of stepping up and filling in where needed while the district continues to struggle with a substitute teacher shortage.
Brett Jackson, Assistant Middle School Principal, added that both the high school and the middle school are addressing attendance issues.
Abbey Cottrell, Assistant Elementary Principal, reviewed the following activities: Luther College play, local library visits, winter FAST testing is complete, PK-5 teachers are looking at new math curriculum , preschool family Fun Night and Kindergarten Roundup is coming up, two new teachers have been hired, Osborne visit, and after school art program in McGregor on Monday and Tuesday nights.
Tim Dugger, Elementary Principal/Superintendent, informed the board that insurance rates decreased for two of the policies and increased around 3-4% for the other two policies offered. Iowa Legislature is looking into funding 4-year old preschool at a 1.0 weighting. It is currently at 0.5. The SSA rate has not been set by the legislature yet, but the Governor had recommended a 2.5% increase. The AEA bill continues to change and we are in “wait and see” mode. The increase in a minimum beginning teacher pay is also still be negotiated by our legislators.
President Roys adjourned the meeting at 7:13 p.m. The next meeting will be held on March 11, 2024, in the Monona Center Learning Commons.
Motion by Roberta Hass, seconded by Dr. Moser, to go into closed session to evaluate the superintendent. Motion carried unanimously at 7:13 p.m.
Motion by Dr. Moser, seconded by Tonya Meyer, to end the closed session at 7:47 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Karla Hanson, Board Secretary