MFL MarMac Community School
Minutes for Regular Meeting,
October 10, 2022
The MFL MarMac Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors was held on October 10, 2022, in the middle school library of the McGregor Center.
President Gina Roys called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm. Members present at roll call were Gina Roys, Roberta Hass, Tonya Meyer, Josh Grau, Dr. Jon Moser, and Aaron Schroeder. Collin Stubbs joined the meeting at 6:09 pm. Also present were Emme Schroeder and Hailey Corlett, Student Board Members, Dr. Dale Crozier; Superintendent, and Karla Hanson; Board Secretary. Visitors were recognized and welcomed.
Motion made by Roberta Hass, seconded by Tonya Meyer to add “approval of district administration assignments” to the agenda. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Aaron Schroeder, seconded by Josh Grau, to approve the consent items from the agenda as follows:
- Minutes from the September 12, 2022, board meeting.
- Bills against the district as listed: General Fund: $90,148.21, Management: $0.00; Enterprise: $ 0.00; Capital Projects: $77,105.14, PPEL: $80,099.37; Activity Account: $75,596.42, Food Service: $460.99; Little Bulldog Childcare: $15,936.15, Dr. Smith Childcare: $6,676.04.
- The Secretary’s Report, Activity Report and Food Service Report will be filed subject to audit.
- Horizontal movement – Dan Anderson BA to BA15
The motion was unanimously carried.
Lindsey Fisk did a curriculum presentation on Character Education Days. This once-a-month program was implemented this year and is designed to build relationships. The first day was held during homecoming week. Students were grouped into 13 teams and worked on getting to know each other better and their teambuilding skills. Positive feedback was received from both staff and students. The board thanks Mrs. Fisk for taking the time to share information about Character Ed Days.
Motion by Josh Grau, seconded by Roberta Hass, to approve the following contracts:
New Hires: Tracy Decker – HS Assistant Track Coach
Victoria Nelson – Nurse
Ali Woods – Middle School Play Assistant
Marley Hundt – Elementary Paraprofessional
Resignations: Dr. Dale Crozier – Superintendent
Kailey Perry – HS Paraprofessional
Kristine Novey – Elementary Paraprofessional
Motion carried unanimously.
The Board agreed to hold a Board workshop on October 24, 2022, at 6:00 pm in the conference room of the Luana Tap to discuss options for replacing Dr. Crozier.
Motion by Tonya Meyer, seconded by Dr. Moser, to approve the Certified Annual Financial Reports, which include the certified annual report, treasurer’s report, transportation report and special education supplement. Motion carried unanimously.
Dr. Crozier discussed vulnerability study that was conducted by a consultant who is contracted through Homeland Security. The district plans to upgrade security camera and lighting throughout the district with a possibility of up to $250,000.00 in funding that will be received because of this study.
Motion by Aaron Schroeder, seconded by Collin Stubbs, to set a hearing for the Instructional Support renewal. The surtax cannot exceed 10% in instructional support and provides some property tax relief for property owners. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Roberta Hass, seconded by Collin Stubbs, to approve the district administrator assignments as follows:
Homeless Liaison – Denise Mueller
Migrant Liaison – Denise Mueller
Title IX Coordinator – Larry Meyer
Equity Coordinator – Dale Crozier
Foster Care Point of Contact – Kathy Koether
Special Education Coordinator – Kathy Koether
Home School Liaison – Dale Crozier and Denise Mueller
Level I Investigators – Dale Crozier, Larry Meyer, Denise Mueller, Kathy Koether
Level II Investigator – Schiller Law Firm
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Tonya Meyer, seconded by Dr. Moser, to accept the District Career and Academic Plan, a plan to help guide students to post graduation career options, as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Student board members, Emme Schroeder and Hailey Corlett: Fall sports are winding down, homecoming was huge success and lots of fun, FFA has been competing in various events, National Honor Society induction ceremony will be held soon, academic assembly was held, and Cora Keehner, Jerica Wille and Taryn Moser will represent the district at OPUS.
Larry Meyer, High School Principal: Activities this month included the counselors attending an Iowa Best Conference, the district held both evacuation and fire drills, picture day, and the Etiquette Meal and UIU is scheduled.
Denise Mueller, Middle School Principal: Several staff members attended a meeting at AEA to learn how to better address social/emotional needs of students, student council awarded a staff member the spirit award winning them a week of wearing jeans, fall sports are winding down, the Call of the Wild program is allowing students to get outside everyday and there will be a kayaking day this week. Nancy Moses and Robin Lang are helping in the nurses office, while Sara Kelly transitions out and we wait for the new nurse to start.
Kathy Koether, Elementary Principal: Students will be taking fall field trips, the old office have been removed and construction on the new offices is progressing nicely, the elementary had an evacuation and a fire drill, the end of the quarter is October 19, and Greg Walcott presented to the staff recently about how to take care of yourself and each other.
Dr. Dale Crozier, Superintendent expressed gratitude to the Board and Community for twenty-two years of service and expressed that he will recommend that the Board hire a superintendent search firm that will do a community assessment for his replacement. Crozier said he will assist the Board in the preparation of the search, but not have any part in the selection process. Crozier said he will continue at full force until his contract ends in June of 2023.
Crozier said that he is anticipating the final enrollment numbers to show that we gained about three to four students this year. Change orders to the elementary construction project included adding more rock to the driveway, flooring, brick work, and HVAC. Crozier reviewed items disposed through the revised disposal policy, as well as obsolete items sold and disposed of. Dr. Crozier, Gina Roys, and the Eastern Allamakee Board President are tentatively planning to travel to Orlando this spring where they have been invited to present at the National School Boards Association on Board and Superintendent Communication.
A discussion was held about the possibility of soccer being added as a sanctioned sport at MFL MarMac. We currently have three former soccer coaches on staff and a survey is being sent to students to get an idea of how many students would be interested. Estimated startup costs are around $20,000.00.
A bench constructed by Keef Williams and organized by the Class of 2008, was presented in memory of Dallas Thompson. It is in the auditorium lobby.
Dr. Crozier participated with the Iowa Department of Education in a DE Site Visit of Keystone AEA in Elkader. The visit was very positive, and there were no citations toward Keystone. The visit reinforced our need to market the school. The final report is scheduled to be presented at the State Board Meeting on November 16th.
The Board reviewed the possible revisions to the mission statement, which may be simplified to “Grow & Achieve/Collaborate & Believe”. Board member Roberta Hass has been looking at other school’s statements and found that a simplified statement with supporting statements below create a greater impression on those who read it. There will be a SIAC meeting on October 27 at 5:00 pm in the Learning Commons, and this will be further discussed.
The meeting adjourned at 7:10 pm.
The next meeting will be on November 14 at 6:00 pm in the Learning Commons of the Monona Building.
Respectfully submitted,
Karla Hanson
Board Secretary