MFL MarMac plans to have some virtual snow days in coming school year
By Audrey Posten, Times-Register
MFL MarMac will plan to have some virtual snow days this coming school year. Superintendent Dale Crozier, speaking at the June 14 school board meeting, said an effort by the state legislature to nix the ability for districts to have virtual snow days was unsuccessful—for now.
“But [the issue] is not dead yet and will come back next year,” he anticipated.
Crozier said MFL MarMac currently has 1,144 hours on its calendar. Even if that’s dropped to 1,135 to accommodate a later start to the elementary school day, that would still put the district well above the 1,080-hour requirement.
“We could still have three or four virtual snow days, and all we’d have to do is build enough hours for early outs and late starts,” he said.
At the request of the teachers, Crozier noted the first two snow days will be “traditional” snow days, meaning no virtual learning. The following three or four snow days would then be virtual.
“If we do that, then we get out four days earlier at the end of the year,” Crozier said. “I noticed not everyone was on board with our virtual snow days, but I did notice they were all on board May 26 when it was the last day of school. We didn’t have to go into June. So that’s something to consider.”
Crozier said the district will revisit the topic again at a later time.
Staffing changes approved
The board approved several staffing changes at the meeting, including the resignations of Carrie Grove as an elementary teacher, Darnell Burton and Kyleigh Picha as elementary paraprofessionals and Meg Lammers as elementary guidance staff. Brandon Burke was hired as weight room supervisor, Amanda Howes as assistant business manager and Erin O’Brien as speech assistant.
Additionally, the board approved a 2.7 percent increase in salary for administrative staff and directors. Elementary principal Kathy Koether, at her request, will receive only a $500 increase, and Crozier, also at his request, will have his salary frozen for fiscal year 2022.
Activity route drivers will also get a pay bump for the coming year, from $11.20 per hour to $15 per hour.
Fees approved
The board approved school fees for the 2021-2022 school year, including a 10 cent increase for lunch and $25 increase for driver education. Other fees will remain the same.
Preschool gets five stars
During her report, Koether noted the MFL MarMac preschool has officially received a five-star rating through Iowa’s Quality Rating System. The status earns the program $3,000 for new activities and equipment.
“I believe we’re the only five-star preschool in Clayton County,” she told the board.
