MACS to lose six staff members
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The Mount Ayr Community Schools board of directors learned six staff members had submitted requests to vacate their positions at their regular meeting Monday, February 13.
Three teachers were among those announcing their resignation. Katie McGahuey, a current middle school/high school science teacher, Gilberto Castreje, the high school Spanish instructor, and Sabrina Fox, the K-12 vocal music and drama teacher all announced their intent to resign.
Long time technology director, Mark Edwards, announced his retirement at the conclusion of the current school year.
Additionally, two volleyball coaches, Chelsey Daily and Hannah Dentlinger, announced they did not plan to return next year.
After the list of personnel seeking to resign was announced, board member Craig Winemiller put forward a motion to accept all but the Spanish teacher’s resignation. “I disagree with it,” Winemiller stated.
Sammy Elliott, the newest board member at the table, questioned whether there was some kind of contract in place that required a certain number of years.
School administration clarified that there was no contract in place that would require the continuation of service. “It’s been 10 years,” stated superintendent Jason Shaffer, “We’ve learned something through this process that may change how we make decisions in the future.”
Looking back in previous issues of the Mount Ayr Record News, a story from the November 13, 2014 issue provided greater insight into the situation.
The Mount Ayr school district had worked with Castreje to obtain a temporary work permit H-1 visa through the Visiting Teachers from Spain program prior to the 2012-2013 school year.
At that time, finding a teacher through the Visiting Teachers from Spain program cost Mount Ayr approximately $1,500, and teachers hired through the program are allowed to leave their employment at any time, regardless of reason.
The H-1 visa would have expired in another three years, so the district considered sponsoring an application for a “green card,” to provide permanent residence and work status in the United States.
The green card application process was expected to cost the Mount Ayr district approximately $10,000 to $12,000 over the next three years.
At that time, former superintendent Joe Drake noted if the board chose to sponsor Castreje’s application, a long-term employment agreement could be worked out between the district and Castreje by which Castreje would reimburse the district if he left employment by a specified number of years. However, a long-term contract was not negotiated.
Ultimately, the motion made by Winemiller on Monday, February 13 failed, and a new motion to accept all resignations as presented was put forward by Zach Lynch and seconded by Elliott.
The Mount Ayr School district is now in the process of recruiting applicants for several positions.
