Board Minutes – 4-12- 2021

Posted: April 12, 2021 at 11:37 AM

MFL MarMac Community School
Minutes for Regular Monthly Meeting and FY21 Budget Amendment Hearing
April 12, 2022

The MFL MarMac Board of Education held its regular monthly board meeting and FY21 budget amendment hearing on April 12, 2021, in the high school learning commons of the Monona schoolhouse.

President Roys called the meeting to order at 6:01 pm. Members present at roll call were Gina Roys, Dr. Jon Moser, Roberta Hass, Brian Meyer, Josh Grau, Tonya Meyer and Collin Stubbs. Also present were Dr. Dale Crozier, Superintendent, and Karla Hanson, Board Secretary. Visitors were recognized and welcomed.

President Roys called the FY21 Budget Amendment Hearing to order at 6: 02 pm. Motion by Jon Moser, seconded by Tonya Meyer, to close the meeting at 6:04 pm. Roll call vote to close the hearing at 6:04. All Ayes.

Motion made by Roberta Hass and seconded by Collin Stubbs to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Roberta Hass, seconded by Collin Stubbs, to approve the consent items from the agenda as follows:

  • Minutes from the March 8, 2021, board meeting.
  • Bills against the district as listed: General Fund: $194,965.01; Management: $0.00; Enterprise: $1,100.00; Capital Projects: $162,190.00; PPEL: $15,902.91; Clearing Account: $47,336.78; Food Service: $27,649.71; Little Bulldog Childcare: $28,722.52; Dr. Smith Childcare: $1,574.52.
  • The Secretary’s Report, Activity Report and Food Service Report will be filed subject to audit.

The motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Tonya Meyer, seconded by Collin Stubbs, to accept the following resignations, hires and transfers pending suitable replacement where applicable:

  • Resignations
    • Leslie Henkes: Paraprofessional
    • Jean Pellymounter: Paraprofessional
    • Scott Torkelson: Transportation
  • New Hires:
    • Payton Miller: MS Science
  • Transfers:
    • Kaitlyn Stone-Strock: MS Music and Band
    • Jaydeane Berns: Guidance (.5 FTE), Vocal Music (.5 FTE)
    • Pat Wille: PE (1.0 FTE)

Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Dr. Moser, seconded by Josh Grau, to approve the contract extension with MEA as presented. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Tonya Meyer, seconded by Dr. Moser, to accept the termination of the A.N. Busse Scholarship in 2022 and replace it with a Superintendent’s Scholarship. This is because the funds will be depleted from the A.N. Busse Scholarship at that time. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Roberta Hass, seconded by Dr. Moser, to accept the operational sharing contracts as follows: Transportation with Postville, Curriculum with Allamakee and Central, Superintendent with Eastern Allamakee. We will not be sharing a Librarian next year, however, will continue sharing Business Teacher with Easter Allamakee. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Josh Grau, seconded by Collin Stubbs, to File the FY20 Audit. Dr. Crozier noted that there were no major findings in the final audit and that the school continues to maintain a very favorable solvency ratio. Motion carried unanimously.

High school report by Larry Meyer included: class scheduling is almost complete, ISASP tests are completed and we are awaiting the results, Spring sports are in session, Sophomores have ordered their class rings, etc., from Jostens, graduation plans are in progress with plans to have in-person graduation in the gym, students sang the National Anthem at the State Basketball tournament again this year, conferences were attended by parents at a lower rate than in the fall, the FFA had their annual banquet, learning surveys will go out to the student body, and finally, prom will be held on April 23 at Tri-City Golf Course.

Denise Mueller reported on the middle school. Dawn Colsch and Brent Pape received a STEM grant which they will use for hydroponics equipment, the need to update the science rooms was addressed, interviews are being conducted for Reading/Language Arts teacher, ISASP testing is done, puberty talks took place, a large number of students are participating in track this year, grades 4-6 were able to see the MS production of Help Desk in hopes of getting more excitement and participation from students next year, no field trips have taken place yet and there needs to be consideration made about whether or not they are possible with social distancing and mask requirements, and finally, a much needed fun day was held and the kids and staff both appreciated it.

Elementary highlights from Kathy Koether included the announcement that the preschool received the highest QRS rating of 5 and that ISU will be coming to visit the facilities in the near future, conferences were attended at about 95% rate, summer school will happen for two weeks in both June and August, reading month is in progress, three STEM grants have been received, interviews for elementary music position continue, the spring concert will be virtual this year, and finally, ISASP will begin this week.

Curriculum Director, Eliza Philpott, talked about Authentic Learning and how it can be used to take advantage of local resources and businesses and get them involved in our student learning process. Computer Science requirements will be mandatory in the future and the district is looking at what we already do and what will be needed to stay in compliance. Social/Emotional Learning strategies are being investigated.

Superintendent, Dale Crozier, congratulated the eight nominees to All State. He also acknowledged the districts appreciation to Luana Savings Bank for the many computers that have been donated over the years. The district had 100% graduation rates for 2019 and again for 2020. This is a testament to the attention to student needs and the hard work from the staff. The district will donate three used computers to the Murphy Helwig Library. Hunter safety will be incorporated into the conservation class currently taught by Dan Anderson. Class ratings are being evaluated by the IHSAA and we currently do not know how that will affect the district. The current five-year strategic plan will expire soon. Dr. Crozier recommended creating a two or three-year plan with about 25 adults and 10 students. He is also recommending that the district move forward with the elementary project and begin getting bids in six or seven months.

The next monthly board meeting will be held on May 10, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. in the Learning Commons of the Monona High School.

Meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Karla Hanson – Board Secretary