MFL MarMac Community School
Regular Meeting
Monday, July 15, 2024
The MFL MarMac Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors was held on July 15, 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, Danielle Schlake, Dr. Jon Moser and Josh Grau. Also present – Tim Dugger; Superintendent, and Karla Hanson; Board Secretary.
Motion by Josh Grau, seconded by Tonya Meyer, to approve the agenda with the addition of two business items – Review bids for bread, milk, fuel oil and snow removal and consider an interfund loan transfer. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Roberta Hass, seconded by Dr. Moser, to approve the consent items from the agenda as follows:
- Minutes from the June 10, 2024, Regular Board Meeting
- Bills against the district as listed: General Fund: $238,291.14, Management: $73,056.79; Enterprise: $1,470.00; Capital Projects: $377,032.51; PPEL: $178,731.73; Activity Account: $36,602.39, Food Service: $0.00, Little Bulldog Childcare: $6,843.00, Dr. Smith Childcare: $3,047.09.
- The Secretary’s Report, Activity Report and Food Service Report will be filed subject to audit.
The motion was unanimously carried.
Sherri Kerr and Crystal Thurn were present to receive recognition from the School Board for their many years of teaching service to the district. Not present for the board meeting was Michelle Scherf, who also served as a paraprofessional for the district. Their work was greatly appreciated.
Motion by Josh Grau, seconded by Aaron Schroeder, to approve the following:
Contracts: Shawn Morrissey – Assistant HS Girls Wrestling Coach
Resignations: Tracy Decker – Assistant MS Football Coach
Motion carried unanimously.
HF2537 is a new law regarding chronic absenteeism and truancy. Mr. Dugger has been reviewing and revising all 500 series policies to stay in compliance with the new law. Motion by Tonya Meyer, seconded by Aaron Schroeder, to approve the first reading of the following policies: 501.3 Compulsory Attendance, 501.9 Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy, 501.9R1 Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy Regulation, 501.9E1 Chronic Absenteeism Parent Letter and 501.9E2 Truancy Parent Letter. Motion carried unanimously.
Federal law requirements for Title IX were discussed. Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity that receives funding from the federal government. Policies have been reviewed and revised as necessary. Motion by Roberta Hass, seconded by Josh Grau to approve the first reading of the following policies: 106.1 Title IX, 106.E1 Title IX Notices, 106.1R1 Title IX Purpose Requirements, 106.1R2 Title IX Conditions, 106.1R3 Title IX Response, 106.1R4 Title IX Grievance Procedure, 106.1R5 Title IX Resolution Procedures. Motion carried unanimously.
Larry Meyer discussed the early graduation rules and suggested that the board consider changing the deadline to November as situations change for students at a different pace now that many college credits are offered. Motion by Roberta Hass, seconded by Josh Grau, to approve changing the date to November and accepting the applications that have been received to date. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Meyer discussed a few changes in the High School Student/Parent Handbook. These include the procedure on how students from other districts are allowed to participate in our school dances, changes from the IA High School Athletic Association regarding number of ineligible days, requiring students to choose a primary sport when active in two sports within the same season, cell phone policies, etc.
Abbey Cottrell said that there are very few changes to the Middle School and Elementary handbooks and no change to the Preschool Handbook. There is now a Paraprofessional Guidebook.
Motion by Josh Grau, seconded by Dr. Moser to approve all handbooks as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
School fees, substitute teacher and support staff pay rates and mileage reimbursement were discussed. School fees will now include an additional $5.00 for elementary students to receive an activity pass, substitute teacher pay will remain at $18.75 per hour ($22.50 per hour for long term assignments) and mileage rates will continue to be set at the IRS amount (currently $.67 per mile). Motion by Roberta Hass, seconded by Tonya Meyer, to approve as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Dr. Moser, seconded by Danielle Schlake to approve the High-Quality Emergency Operations Plan as presented. The information contained in the document is confidential to maintain the integrity of the safety measures. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Roberta Hass, seconded by Aaron Schroeder, to approve the EMC Insurance renewal as presented. While rates have gone up in most categories, workmen’s compensation decreased significantly. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Aaron Schroeder, seconded by Dr. Moser, to approve the purchase of a 2024 Traverse from Birdnow Chevrolet. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Roberta Hass, seconded by Tonya Meyer, to approve the first reading of the 209 series and second reading of the 206, 207 and 208 series of board policies as follows: 209.1 Development of Policy, 209.2 Revision of Policy, 209.3 Dissemination of Policy, 209.4 Suspension of Policy, 209.5 Administration in the Absence of Policy, 209.6 Review/Revision of Policy, 209.7 Review of Administrative Regulations, 206.1 President, 206.2 Vice-President, 206.3 Secretary-Treasurer, 207 Board of Director’s Legal Counsel, 208 Ad Hoc Committees, 208.E1 Ad Hoc Committees Exhibit. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Josh Grau, seconded by Dr. Moser, to approve the interfund transfer of $800,000.00 from Management Fund to Capital Projects with an interest rate of 5.24% and repayment schedule of no more than one year. Motion carried unanimously.
Bids were sent to vendors for the following services for FY25 – snow removal, bread, milk and fuel oil. Three Rivers FS was awarded the fuel oil bid. Allen Roofing Company was awarded the snow removal bid. Milk will be purchased from Prairie Farms and Bread from Pan-O-Gold. Motion by Dr. Moser, seconded by Roberta Hass, to approve these bids. Motion carried unanimously.
Larry Meyer – High school principal reported that lots of summer projects are going on at the moment, baseball and softball are over, football and volleyball will begin soon. Abbey Cottrell added that summer school will be held July 29 through August 9 for grades K-8 and July 29 to August 16 for grades 9-12.
Tim Dugger, Superintendent, stated the staffing appears to be complete for the upcoming year. He will attend the UIC mediation on July 17 regarding allowing Decorah into the conference. Gina Roys added that Dr. Withers sent a letter stating that he would be not be able to meet in person this year, but appreciates the continued support from our district.
President Roys adjourned the meeting at 7:10 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 12, 2024, at 6:00 in the Monona Center Learning Commons.
Respectfully submitted,
Karla Hanson
Board Secretary/Treasurer