Administration to seek better communication
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The Mount Ayr School Board met Monday evening and covered a wide variety of issues, including the the Budget Hearing for the 2023-2024 budget.
The final proposal calls for a Property Tax rate of 12.07925 compared to 12.0792 last year.
There was no public comment on the proposed budget and it passed the board unanimously.
During the citizen comment portion of the meeting, several spoke to a need in better communication in the district.
Three speakers, Jen Malone, Tiffiany Johnson and Mark Budach urged the council and administration to have better communication with parents when situations with students or school personnel arise.
Amy Bautista, Elementary Principal, has recently resigned and is no longer working in the district. In all, three principals have been hired in the past two years.
Superintendent Jason Shaffer said that the district would look at the procedure they use to hire administrators.
Malone and Johnson also questioned parent communication when there are incidents with their child.
During the principal’s reports, Secondary Principal Josh Vanderflught said that there was 97% attendance for the spring conferences. He also reported they have one senior that probably will not meet graduation requirements by the end of the year and two others that “must take care of business” to make it to graduation.
Vanderflught also updated the board members about concurrent enrollment opportunities with SWCC next year.
Among other updates, Vanderflught said that Amanda Malone, Addie Doolittle and Ivy Bice attended the POI Honor Band event in Bedford. Mount Ayr had several others selected but they were unable to at tend due to the school play.
It was reported that Ella Waske was selected to attend the Perry Research Institute Scholars Program at the University of Iowa this summer. The two-week program introduces students to a variety of academic research so they can explore their interests and plan for the future.
Vanderflught said the senior trip with year will be to Des Moines to visit Pizza Ranch and then to Great Escape, and arcade type facility, in Pleasant Hill.
In the elementary report the board learned that 97% of parents attended conferences. Those that were not able to attend in person, will be, or have been contacted to provide an update.
Among other activities, elementary will have a “book bash” as a book drive fundraiser. Each student will have the opportunity to earn 10 free books with every student guaranteed a book.
It also was learned that Trinity Christian Church has donated $500 for elementary and secondary students who have negative lunch balances.
In other action
• the board approved an out of state field trip.
• approved a partnership agreement between FFA, 4-H Extension and the school board.
•Approved non-certified salary schedule and benefits.
•approved the district ICAP Plan.
•approved fund raising requests.
•accepted the resignations of Melissa Friedrich as middle school girl’s basketball coach and Robin Lacquement and elementary school counselor.
