MFL grad Larry Meyer to be MFL MarMac’s new high school principal
By Audrey Posten, North Iowa Times Editor
The MFL MarMac School Board approved a contract for Larry Meyer as the new high school principal at its June 13 meeting.
A 1977 MFL graduate, Meyer most recently taught math, science and physical education at Maquoketa Valley, where he’s been since 2005. From 1981 to 2002, he taught and coached in the Garnavillo School District. Meyer’s duties will begin July 1.
In addition, the board approved a special education contract for Elise Martins, as well as the resignations of McGregor Center secretary Julie Mullarkey and bus driver Jim Elliott.
“They both put in over 20 years,” Superintendent Dale Crozier said of Mullarkey and Elliott. “They will both be missed.”
School fees
The board approved raising breakfast and lunch prices 10 cents each, per state mandate. Yearbook costs will be increased $5, all book rentals will increase $10 and drivers education will now cost $200, up from $175.
School supplies
During the fee discussion, Crozier asked school board members if they felt, or had heard, that the beginning-of-the-year school supply lists were excessive, putting too much of a financial burden on parents. Board members did not believe so, but Jonathon Moser brought up the idea of the school providing basic supplies, using a set amount of money contributed by parents for each student. Parents could then purchase any specialty items. This would not be for the upcoming year, but possibly in the future.
Other schools are going to this system, Moser said, noting that it would equalize the socioeconomic playing field.
“Especially for the younger kids,” he said. “Then, everyone has the exact same stuff. I compare it to the laptops in the high school, where everyone has the same thing.”
Elementary principal Kathy Koether said community members are good about donating school supplies. Students are allowed to go through the selection at the start of the year.
“That continues with supplies all year long,” she said. “We have good community support.”
Koether said the board also needs to take into consideration that parents with students on free/reduced lunches often don’t pay fees at the beginning of the year, but do buy school supplies.
Crozier said he would put together a committee to study the idea.
Director and administrative contracts
The board approved a 3.47 percent raise for all district directors, as well as a 1.9 percent raise for Koether, at her request. McGregor Center principal Denise Mueller will receive a $4,000 raise as well as a $3,000 stipend for mentoring incoming high school principal Meyer. The board also rolled over Crozier's contract and froze his salary, at his own request.