A teacher retirement package was approved by the Iola-Scandinavia School Board at its April 14 meeting.
According to the motion, any teacher who retires within the next three years will be compensated $200 per year of service, not to exceed 30 years (or $6,000 per year) into a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA).
A teacher who retires by June 2014 will receive the retirement benefit for five years; retirees in June 2015 will receive it for four years; retires in June 2016 will receive the compensation for three years.
To qualify for the post employment benefit, a teacher must be at least 55 and have been employed consecutively by the I-S School District full time for a minimum of 15 years.
In other business, the board discussed the state’s lifting of the 180 school day requirement and now requirement of set hours of instruction.
District Administrator David Dyb suggested that the district not change the existing calendar. Instead, the board could consider replacing class days with teacher work days on selected Fridays in 2015.
Board member Kirsten Hoyord suggested that the administration check with the teaching staff for their input.
Board member Mike Koles said that adding a few minutes to the end of each school day would help cut costs for busing, meals, etc.
The board approved the following summer projects:
• Upgrade high/middle school kitchen freezer/refrigerator; add shelves, replace oven, etc.
• Upgrade technology district wide.
• Replace set of exterior doors at elementary school and middle/high school office counter.
• Upgrade FACE classroom from four to six stations.
• Upgrade building door security to card access.
It was noted that the kitchen upgrades will be paid from the lunch program fund and the ISES upgrades will come from the discretionary fund.
Projects delayed included construction of a second driveway access for the high school parking lot and electrical upgrades in the computer lab. The Buildings and Grounds Committee agreed that these two items could be delayed because they can be finished in house.
High School Counselor Robin Tomski presented a list of 33 classes that have less than 15 students enrolled for the 2014-15 school year. Upon his recommendation, the board approved allowing “the flexibility for the remaining 31 classes to be offered.”
The board agreed to offer a coaching contract to Jessica Wennesberg for varsity volleyball and accepted the resignation of Sue Glodowski as freshman volleyball coach.
A full-time teaching contract was approved for Renee Reuter for physical education and health.
50/50 raffles
Dyb reported his findings regarding 50/50 raffles in other area schools. He found most of the districts have policies to allow the raffles.
Dyb said there are two issues to consider: the raffles become part of the school district’s climate, and the raffles need to be equitable to all school groups.
“I do believe we want to have this be part of our school,” said board member Bruce Beyersdorf. He suggested that each sport be allowed to hold a 50/50 raffle during its playing season.
Other board members noted that some sports, like football, attract more spectators, and therefore, would have an advantage on the amount of money they could raise.
“Who gets to sign up first?” asked High School Principal Sara Anderson. “It has to be something you regulate.”
An audience member asked if the raffles were only for sports. The board replied that the fundraising idea is available for all co-curricular activities.
The board agreed to consider criteria for the 50/50 raffles at its next meeting.
Field trip scheduling
The scheduling of field trips was a topic at the April 14 meeting.
Dyb noted that spring sports are hit hardest with rescheduling, and most field trips are scheduled for spring.
In addition to making the students choose between a field trip and a sporting or other activity, the spring rescheduling also affects the availability of buses and bus drivers.
Koles said that the field trips could be dispersed more evenly throughout the school year.
Anderson suggested that the field trips tied to education could be pre-loaded – tour Lambeau Field, then read about Lambeau, instead of the other way around.
“Students should not be penalized for missing a practice or a rehearsal,” Hoyord said.
Anderson presented the scenario that missing a practice could affect the outcome of a playoff game.
“The precedent was set last fall,” she said, recalling the controversy over students not being able to go on a field trip because of a football playoff game.
“They could have been back (in time) and done both,” she said.
Board member Jeff Oppor said his daughter is already worrying about missing a pre-paid trip to Great America because of softball.
“Our softball team is as good as it’s ever been,” he said.
“There is nothing I like about conflict. However, out of conflict, comes resolution,” Anderson said.
The board agreed to “leave the decision up to the individual parents, with the understanding that the policy will be developed in the future.”