MFL MarMac Community School
Minutes for Regular Meeting, FY23 Budget Hearing, and FY23 Calendar Hearing
March 14, 2022
The MFL MarMac Board of Education held its Regular Monthly Board Meeting, the FY23 Budget Hearing, and FY23 Calendar Hearing on March 14, 2022, in the high school learning commons of the Monona schoolhouse.
Vice President Roberta Hass called the meeting to order at 6:03 pm. Members present at roll call were Roberta Hass, Dr. Jonathon Moser, Aaron Schroeder, Tonya Meyer, and Collin Stubbs (via telephone due to work conflict). Gina Roys and Josh Grau were absent. Also present were Dr. Dale Crozier, Superintendent, and Karla Hanson, Board Secretary. Visitors were recognized and welcomed.
A Public Hearing was held at 6:03 regarding the FY 2023 budget. Hearing closed without additional input at 6:04 pm.
A Public Hearing opened at 6:04 pm for the 2023 Calendar. Hearing closed without additional input at 6:05 p.m.
Motion made by Dr. Moser, seconded by Tonya Meyer, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Tonya Meyer, seconded by Aaron Schroeder, to approve the consent items from the agenda as follows:
- Minutes from the February 14 2022, board meeting.
- Bills against the district as listed: General Fund: $125,450.38, Management: $0.00; Enterprise: $1,530.00, Capital Projects: $53,666.41, PPEL: $53,863.24; Clearing Account: $45,194.65 , Food Service: $ 28,720.69; Little Bulldog Childcare: $4,435.35; Dr. Smith Childcare: $571.03.
- The Secretary’s Report, Activity Report and Food Service Report will be filed subject to audit.
The motion was unanimously carried.
Motion by Collin Stubbs, seconded by Tonya Meyer, to approve the following contracts:
Paul Rasmussen – 7th Grade Volleyball
Chessie Andrist – Assistant Softball Coach
Jess Brehmer – Assistant Girls Track Coach
Stephanie Michel – 7th Grade Boys Track
Max Havlicek – Assistant Baseball Coach
Paul Gordon – Assistant Football Coach
Curtis Goodman – Summer Weight Room Supervisor
Mike Driscoll – Assistant High School Boys Basketball Coach
Sarah Strong – Elementary Paraprofessional
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Aaron Schroeder, seconded by Dr. Moser, to accept the following resignations:
Mike Driscoll – 7th Grade Girls Basketball
Eliza Philpott – Curriculum Director
Brandon Burke – Assistant Boys Basketball, Summer Weight Room Supervisor
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Collin Stubbs, seconded by Dr. Moser, to accept the FY23 Budget as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Aaron Schroeder, seconded by Tonya Meyer, to approve the FY23 Calendar as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Dr. Moser, seconded by Collin Stubbs, to approve the negotiated agreement between ESP staff and district, which included $1.00 per hour raises for the next three years and reinstating longevity pay. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Tonya Meyer, seconded by Aaron Schroeder, to renew the Iowa Natural Gas Risk Pool agreement for FY23. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Dr. Moser, seconded by Tonya Meyer, to increase mileage reimbursement from $.40 per mile to match the annual Federal rate, which is currently $0.585 per mile. District mileage reimbursement rate to adjust up or down when the Federal rate changes. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Dr. Moser, seconded by Tonya Meyer to authorize the district to pay all qualifying full-time teachers in accordance with the Governor’s State Retention Payment Plan and request full reimbursement for the District’s portion of FICA/Medicare, for the purpose of retention for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year, the 2022-23 school year, and future years, and we are grateful for those who have provided extraordinary service. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Tonya Meyer, seconded by Dr. Moser, to authorize the district to pay qualified staff due to systemic staff shortages in the state, staff vacancies in our district, in anticipation of continued future shortages in 2022-23, in anticipation of additional responsibilities in 2022-23, in anticipation of additional duties for all staff to assist with on-site, ongoing pandemic mitigation, in anticipation of a loss of learning of our student population that will require extra help from teachers and all staff, and to reinforce our desire to retain our employees for the rest of the 2021-22 school year, and for future school years, we move to pay all active continuing staff, excluding non-teaching coaches, excluding intermittent substitutes and excluding the superintendent per his request, a one-time stipend based on $1,000.00 for a full-time employee not covered by the Governor’s State Retention Plan, to be prorated as necessary for other employees and employees who do not work a full work day as done so and defined through the central administration, as funded by ESSER reserves as allowed. We are grateful for those who have provided extraordinary services to our students, and we hereby approve this motion and adjoining resolution. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION:
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the MFL MarMac Community School District recognizes that many school districts across the state are experiencing staffing shortages during the 2021-2022 school year due in large part to the pandemic and its residual effects, and that staffing shortages have also impacted the operations of the MFL MarMac Community School District; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the MFL MarMac Community School District anticipates that said staffing issues will continue into the 2022-23 school year and will make hiring and retention for next year increasingly challenging;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the MFL MarMac Community School District believes maintaining adequate staffing levels of all positions is essential to its educational mission and that when positions go unfilled it is a detriment to all students as well as other personnel; and
WHEREAS, the MFL MarMac Community School District believes that, in light of staffing shortages and the coinciding impact upon District operations, it is appropriate to provide a retention incentive to staff to remain employed with the District for the 2022-23 school year and to timely sign contracts for same; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MFL MARMAC COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT:
The Board hereby authorizes the Superintendent to facilitate a one-time retention incentive payment in the amount of $1000.00 to certified teaching staff who sign contracts with the District no later than May 31, 2022, to remain employed with the District through the 2022-23 school year who did not already receive the governor’s retention incentive.
The Board hereby authorizes the Superintendent to facilitate a one-time stipend based on 1000.00 for a full-time employee not covered by the Governor’s State Retention Plan, to be prorated as necessary for other employees as done so through the central office, and as funded by ESSER reserves as allowed. WE are grateful for those who have provided extraordinary services to our students.
Administration Reports:
Larry Meyer reported that winter sports are now over and that track practice has started, a social media awareness assembly was held, an afternoon of professional development for teachers was well received, the Speech group had a very successful year and high participation rates, Pops Concert was held, scheduling for next year is in progress, we had a virtual snow day, and the Food and Science class had a field trip to Edgewood Locker.
Denise Mueller reported the following about the Middle School: Twenty-six girls and 18 boys are signed up for track, the ski trip was finally able to happen, 4th grade participated in Read Across American, new student tours have taken place, Honor Band was a success, the play will happen on March 25 and 26, Art-After-School is over and there will be an art show on the 18th, an assembly with Matt Moser to discuss vaping was held, and the 8th grade will be travelling to Monona to tour the building and look at scheduling for next year.
Dr. Crozier discussed the need to renew our Return to Learn and Esser plans at the April meeting. There was good discussion between Board members and staff regarding the virtual snow day. The Wellness Committee will have items that can easily be meshed into the Strategic Plan. There will be a new Professional Development plan coming out by the end of the school year. IHSAA is sanctioning girls wrestling and Dr. Crozier feels this will be a good thing for the District. With the possibility of schools leaving our conference, it is necessary to look at inviting other local schools to join us. We plan to lease an LP bus next year and if it proves to be a good fit to our bus fleet, we will add a second one in 2023. The elementary project is moving along and we are pleased that many of the contracts are going to local vendors. Discussed the possibility of removing some trees on the property, specifically those near the baseball field. Graduation rates continue to be high – 98% in 2021 and 100% in 2020. High school office renovation is being considered. Shot clocks will be required for basketball next year. We are looking at ways to move the teams to the other side of the gym and that would require taking out some or all of the stage. Niki Brevig received a letter commending the district on its mental health services.
Meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karla Hanson, Board Secretary