MFL MarMac Community School
Minutes for Regular Monthly Meeting
February 8, 2021
The MFL MarMac Board of Education held its regular monthly board meeting on February 8, 2021, in the high school learning commons of the Monona schoolhouse.
President Roys called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Members present at roll call were Gina Roys, Tonya Meyer, Dr. Jon Moser, Roberta Hass, and Collin Stubbs. Brian Meyer and Josh Grau were absent. Also present were Dr. Dale Crozier, Superintendent, and Karla Hanson, Board Secretary. Visitors were recognized and welcomed.
Motion made by Tonya Meyer and seconded by Dr. Moser to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Dr. Moser, seconded by Roberta Hass, to approve the consent items from the agenda as follows:
- Minutes from the January 11, 2021, board meeting.
- Bills against the district as listed: General Fund: $121,224.60; Management:
- $35,390.35; Enterprise: $820.00; Capital Projects: $80,259.06; PPEL: $17,113.09; Clearing Account: $35,288.37; Food Service: $20,400.92; Little Bulldog Childcare:
- $4,739.60; Dr. Smith Childcare: $1,582.36
- The Secretary’s Report, Activity Report and Food Service Report will be filed subject to audit.
The motion was unanimously carried.
Motion by Tonya Meyer seconded by Dr. Moser, to approve the following contracts: Nancy Hunter, Food Service; Paul Gordon, Assistant Baseball Coach; Meg Lammers, Guidance Assistant; Jan Metcalf, MS Guidance. The motion carried unanimously. Motion by Roberta Hass, seconded by Josh Grau, to accept the revisions to Board Policy sections 800, 900 and 1000 as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Tonya Meyer, seconded by Dr. Moser, to set the 2021-2022 Calendar Hearing Date for March 8, 2021. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Dr. Moser, seconded by Roberta Hass, to set the Budget Hearing Date for March 8, 2021. Motion carried unanimously.
Principal Reports:
Kathy Koether reported that QRS reporting for the preschool is in process and that we are one of the only schools with a 5 rating. There will be an in-person visit to inspect the playground and classrooms. Once complete, the rating is locked for two years. FAST testing has begun and ISAS testing for 4th-12th grade will happen in February. The 3rd grade will have their testing in March to give them a little more time to make up for lost time due to the pandemic. This year the Junior Kindergarten schedule was modified to be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday due to virtual Wednesdays. Now that we are going to be in-person five, it has been decided to keep the schedule as is. Parents have been notified. Registration has begun for next year’s 3 and 4 year-old preschoolers.
Denise Mueller reported that in the McGregor Center, FAST and ISAS testing are scheduled and that the writing area has been identified as an area in need of improvement and steps are in place to correct that. The middle school boys basketball team is wrapping up and the middle school play has been practicing for their March production. Teachers continue to work to make virtual and snow days as productive as possible, especially when they are dealing with having their own children at home while trying to teach. Sixteen Canvas learners will be returning to in-person learning. Fundraising efforts are in process for the Eagle Bluff trip and we continue to keep our fingers crossed that the students will be able to have this opportunity next fall.
Eliza Philpott reported that the behind-the-scenes background work has begun for the upcoming testing. Proctors need to be trained. Eliza is looking into a new program called e-Central Learning which is designed to find qualified teachers for specific classes with the goal of offering more courses to our students. AEA also has a program called Authentic Learning for K-12 which partners community resources to specific needs in the classroom. She will send out the link for an upcoming bootcamp for those interested.
Dr. Crozier noted that the SIAC Committee will meet at 6:00 pm in the Learning Commons on February 16, 2021. Norplex has again given the district a grant of $1,000. Rose Grau, Class of 2021, was interviewed by a group that included Dr. Lebo, Director of the Department of Education, and Governor Kim Reynolds, on the impact that Covid19 had on education in Iowa. Basketball tournaments are coming up soon and the wrestlers have advanced nine to the next round of tournament action. Speech and music groups have also participated in competitions and represented our district well.
Investigation continues into moving our food service to an outsourced company. Dr. Crozier visited Clayton Ridge to see how the program is working for them. It is a long process to complete and he recommended that the district move slowly in making a decision on this matter. There is currently no plan to make any changes this year.
Governor Reynolds removed the State mask mandate last week. However, at this time, the district will continue to require face coverings. This decision is based on the quarantine rules that have not changed. Without masks, the number of quarantined students would most likely go up significantly, and it is the goal of the district to keep as many kids in school as possible.
Erik Peterson and Ryan Martindale were present to discuss the need to upgrade computers in the near future. The proposal was to sign a four-year lease for approximately $108,000 per year for 13” Apple laptops for 7-12th grade and some staff. K-6 grade will use iPads with removable keypads. The oldest device would be 3 years old and the district should be in a good spot for at least 5-6 years. It was also recommended to upgrade the 35 Smart Boards at a cost of approximately $35,000.
Dr. Crozier also discussed the proposed calendar for the next school year and will publish that information according to the law prior to the March 8 calendar hearing date. He is also working on the budget for FY22 and talked about the different factors that are considered when completing this process.
The next monthly board meeting will be held on March 8, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. in the Learning Commons of the Monona High School.
Meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Karla Hanson
Board Secretary/Treasurer