Pay, personnel dominate school board meeting
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The Mount Ayr board of education approved increased salary schedules, and a myriad of personnel changes at their regular meeting on Monday, April 15.
New Salary Schedules
New 24-25 salary schedules and benefits for certified staff, non certified staff and administration were approved, reflecting new minimum teacher salaries to comply with HF 2612 being signed into law on March 27 by Governor Kim Reynolds.
The bill to improve special education and raise teacher salaries, dramatically increased the amount Mount Ayr and Diagonal community schools will pay teachers starting with the 24-25 school year.
Superintendent Jason Shaffer noted they will be utilizing state funds to help pay teacher salaries.
“The state is earmarking TSS and TLC dollars to provide $11,297 per staff member, to help get us to the new minimum salary,” explained Shaffer.
In general, new teacher salaries were figured by taking the current base salary for each teacher, adding $7,921 in TSS dollars, and $3,376 in TLC funding, with a few exceptions for specific contracts and coaching agreements.
Non-certified staff will receive a 3% raise overall in the 24-25 school year, while some staff members received a larger increase based on additional training or certifications, so the average is closer to a 4% raise.
The starting salary for custodians was bumped up to a rate of $17 per hour to be more competitive with other organizations, associates starting salary was set at $15.84 per hour, and food service was set at $16 per hour.
No TSS dollars are available to increase non-certified staff salaries.
The three administrator salaries were also approved as presented, which included a collective three percent raise for Elementary Principal Chris Elwood, Secondary Principal Josh Vanderflught, and Michael Moran, Dean of Students.
Personnel
The board approved five resignations including Shayna Mason, who currently serves as an associate. Her last day will be April 18.
Ashton Trullinger is stepping down as a wrestling cheer coach, and Brent Wise is stepping down as a bowling coach after the 23-24 school year.
A letter of resignation was received from Anna Neathery, who is contracted as the elementary school counselor through the end of this contract year.
Betsy Budach also submitted a letter of resignation. Although her letter was received after the date set for early retirement.
Superintendent Jason Shaffer noted that although she is past the date set for utilizing the management fund, he told her they would come back and visit if they can come up with something.
Sammi Jo Elliott made a motion to accept all resignations, the motion was seconded by Zach Lynch, and unanimously approved.
The board of education approved several new contracts for the 24-25 school year, including hiring Katelyn Holmes as a middle school science teacher at $53,150, pending licensure in Iowa.
Andrew Nicholl, who is currently a third grade teacher, is moving to a 220 day contract as Technology Director in the amount of $52,800.
Natalie Peterson was hired as a bus driver in the amount of $18,437, pending licensure.
Kristine Brammer was hired as a custodian. She will receive $6,985 to finish out this school year , and will receive $35,589 for the 24-25 school year.
Mike Moran was hired as the elementary summer school coordinator, in the amount of $2,500.
Administration noted they are in the process of working out something with AEA to contract services for a social worker, to replace Bailey Drake, so they can continue to get sharing dollars.
The board of education also approved hiring several coaches for the 24-25 year, including Trae Ehlen, who will serve as an assistant wrestling coach for $2,534 and middle school football coach for $2,172.
Shaun Kniep is returning to the drama program as a co-director for $3,122, along with Julie Rivera who will receive $2,395.
Chris Elwood will serve as the middle school baseball coach for $3,015.
Ryann Martin will serve as the head coach for the Sparks dance team, and Sarah McAlexander will serve as an assistant coach.
Kinda Larsen is stepping down as home school coordinator and paid cross country coach, but has agreed to help with cross country as a volunteer.
Principal Reports
Elementary principal Chris Elwood reported students in 3rd -6th Grade completed the ISASP tests during the week of April 1, and makeup tests were completed last week. He hopes to have results to share at the May board meeting.
Fourth quarter midterms will be sent home with elementary students on Friday, April 19.
The SIAC committee will be meeting on Wednesday at 5:00 to discuss our current curriculums and upcoming curriculum adoptions.
There will be an informational meeting for preschool students, followed by registration for the 2024-2025 school year on Wednesday at 6:30 in the elementary library.
Middle school and high school students are working with Ms. Quick to put on a Petting Zoo and STEM Festival for elementary students on Thursday, April 18. Kindergarten through 2nd grade students will go to the Petting Zoo in the morning, and 4th through 6th grade students will participate in the afternoon. Third grade students will be on a field trip to the Civic Center that day.
Secondary principal Josh Vanderflught reported he will be working with the handbook committee to review and revise the Student/Parent Handbook for next year. He is also working with Mrs. Victor to review and revise the Flexible Education Handbook for next year.
He met with Tess Rinehart and reps from SWCC to outline all of our concurrent enrollment options/offerings for next year.
ISASP testing went very smoothly for the MS/HS building, and 100% of students have been tested.
ACT testing was provided at MACHS on Tuesday, April 9 for students from Mount Ayr and Diagonal grades 9-12.
Students in 11th and 12th grade are offered an OnToCollege ACT prep course throughout the year through John Baylor. The course provides ACT test taking strategies as well as some testing practice.
A college/career day was held for all HS students on April 3 with 17 businesses and 8 colleges in attendance. Students signed up for four, 20 minute sessions, to learn about colleges and careers that they were interested in. They plan to offer this every other year.
On May 1, there will be a school wide decision day assembly to honor the decisions that seniors are making. Seniors are recognized with certificates and breakfast sponsored by TRIO.
Prom is on Saturday, April 20th.
Conditions for learning
All public schools in Iowa use statewide online surveys to assess Conditions for Learning in grades 3 through 12, and it is a part of the school performance profile again this year.
The Conditions for Learning Surveys (CfL) are used to improve safety, student engagement and the overall learning environment so that all Iowa students have optimum conditions for learning.
Two versions of the survey are administered to students; one for students in grades 3-5, which will be completed during the week of April 22, and one for students in grades 6-12 that was administered on April 11-15.
Regular business
In new business, the board approved:
Approved SWCC 28E Agreements including welding, health occupations, welding career academy (program), CTE building trades program, auto collision (at SWCC), computer networking/ IT, carpentry and building academy (at SWCC), auto repair and carpentry, art / music general education courses, and introduction to business, which Gail Thatcher teaches.
They are also adding public speaking (speech), which will be taught by Shaun Kniep. Morgan Quick is also going to teach a college credit Ag class. Intro to education could be offered by Julie Rivera if there is interest.
Approved an AEA purchasing agreement for food service program;
Approved 100 and 200 series board policies which are reviewed every five years. No major changes were made to the policies.
Approved cancellation of credit cards with Macy Jarred’s name and issuing new cards with Amanda Cannon’s name on them.
Approved out of state field trips for Kansas University relays, five TAG students going to Rochester, MN and a senior trip to Kansas City on May 10 at a cost of cost $75 per person. Seniors will be leaving at 9:00 a.m. and returning at 5:30 p.m. after spending the day at Power Play.
Reviewed two quotes in response to a request for proposals for a school audit firm, and approved the low bid from BerganKDV at a cost of $25,500 for 2024 (the cost of a single audit would be included in the total amount). A second quote from Eide Bailley at a cost $30,450 for 2024, plus $6,000 for a single audit, totaled $36,450. Stephanie Newton noted that the prior cost was $13,000 a year, and it is getting more difficult to find firms willing to perform school audits.
Approved two fundraising requests.
Superintendent report
Superintendent Jason Shaffer reported they are looking at alternative sites for the new bus barn and new phones are coming in June.
