MFL MarMac Community School District
Regular Meeting Minutes
November 9, 2020
The MFL MarMac Board of Education held its Regular Meeting on Monday, November 9, 2020. The meeting was held in the auditorium of the Monona schoolhouse.
President Gina Roys called the meeting to order at 6:01 pm. Members present: Gina Roys, Dr. Jon Moser, Roberta Hass, Collin Stubbs, and Josh Grau (via telephone). Absent members: Tonya Meyer, Brian Meyer. Also present were Dr. Dale Crozier, Superintendent (via Zoom); Karla Hanson, Board Secretary; Larry Meyer, High School Principal; Kathy Koether, Elementary Principal; Eliza Philpott, Curriculum Director. Guests were recognized and welcomed.
Motion by Dr. Moser, seconded by Roberta Hass, to approve the agenda as presented. The motion was carried unanimously.
Motion by Dr. Jon Moser, seconded by Collin Stubbs, to approve the following consent items from the agenda:
- Approval of the October 12, 2020, board minutes
- Bills against the district as listed: General Fund: $81,452.43; Management Fund: $0.00; Capital Projects: $30,027.25; PPEL: $15,004.27; Little Bulldog Childcare: 8,880.43; Dr. Smith Childcare: 8,918.16. Clearing Account: $17,650.22; Lunch: $19,688.22.
- The Secretary’s Report, Activity Report, and Food Service Report will be filed subject to audit.
Motion carried unanimously.
The Board recognized the following retirees for their years of service with the district: Judie Oelke (34 years), Lynn Jones (38 years), Twila Converse (17 years), Jasen Thompson (20 years) Eric Dettbarn (32 years), Jeanne Krueger (10 years), Dawn Dull (37 years) and Harry Larson (25 years).
The scheduled District EMC program overview was tabled until the December meeting.
No change in policies regarding Covid19 were proposed, however, there was a discussion about the rising rates of positive tests in Clayton and Allamakee counties. Despite the increasing numbers in the community, the school is not currently seeing large numbers of students testing positive. There is a possibility that we may extend Thanksgiving break in one form or another.
Administration has been working on creating a plan for virtual and snow days. These will be similar, but not the same. A letter to families is being drafted to explain what will happen and student expectations. Teachers will be working from school on virtual days initially. This could change as the situation is re-evaluated. Hourly employees will have the option to do professional development, make days up at the end of the year, or to come into work, if there is work available. Teaching will be done from home on snow days. Elementary will be online for snow days if there is advance notice and devices can be sent home. If not, students will have packets to complete and return.
Currently, no extracurricular events are being cancelled. It was noted that events are live streamed this year.
Collin Stubbs moved, second by Dr. Moser, to accept the SBRC Application. There was an increase in students for FY21, as well a gain of $183,690 in spending authority. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Roberta Hass, seconded by Dr. Moser, to accept the resignation of assistant softball coach, Pat Wille, to accept the split assistant girls basketball coaching contract with Jess Schubert, Jeremy Schellhorn and Brian Bugenhagen, and to accept the paraprofessional contract with Peggy Schultz. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Josh Grau, seconded by Collin Stubbs, to approve the Title 1 Application. A carryover balance of $2,742 will be added to the yearly award of $121,791.00, which is used to fund one full time and one half time teaching position, as well as supplies and substitute teacher expenses. Motion carried unanimously.
The board agreed to review Board Policy sections 600, 700, 800, 900 and 1000. Roberta Hass and possibly another board member will work on these and present to the board for review at a future time.
Motion by Dr. Moser, seconded by Roberta Hass, to accept the SIAC Committee and minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Collin Stubbs, seconded by Dr. Moser, to accept the School Bus Lease agreement and resolution as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Administrator Reports:
Eliza Philpott reported that the State testing was peer reviewed and has met all the requirements. It is scheduled to take place in the spring of 2021.
Kathy Koether, reported that a donation of $16,000 was received from the Merle Gruber Trust. $10,000 will be used for technology and the remainder will be used for the food service program. Winter gear collections and distribution has begun. Special thanks to the community for supporting this effort. Conferences were very well attended between the three options of face-to-face, telephone or Zoom.
Larry Meyer, High School Principal, also reported good participation at the high school conferences. He gave praise to all the retirees for their service and thanked them for positively touching so many students. All the staff, and especially the nursing staff, were commended for their unwavering dedication during these difficult times. Student reporting (SRI) is complete, National Honor Society induction ceremony was held, Perkins and Neitrcep funds have been approved in the amount of over $17,000 this year and will be used for CTE programs, fall sports have wrapped up, winter sports will be in full swing within a week, and the annual Veteran’s Day program will be held virtually on November 10.
Dr. Dale Crozier noted that there is an increase of students this year. Depending on the number of athletes signed up for baseball next spring, there may be a need to add a third coach this year. Food service director, Pat Echard, has been investigating possible alternatives to our current breakfast and lunch programs. More information will be shared as it becomes available. The boiler in the McGregor Center will likely need to be replaced at an estimated cost of approximately $40,000. The Little Bulldog Childcare Center experienced its first corona virus shutdown, but it is currently serving the community again. The School Board Convention will be held virtually this year and board members were encouraged to participate. It was noted that the Monona center had a “Welcome Wednesday” to help teachers connect and staff has also created a Self-Care Committee. Mental health services are available to any staff member struggling.
The meeting adjourned at 6:50 pm.
The next board meeting will be held on December 14, 2020, in the Monona Schoolhouse Auditorium at 6:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karla Hanson – Board Secretary