Bargaining strategy with Certified and Classified Association was up for approval at the MMCRU Boards on Monday night’s Board meeting. MMC School District and the MMC Teachers’ Association—The MMC Board approved the increase of base wage $1,250 for a total without TSS of $32,250. Returning staff for 2023-2024 will receive an increase of $1,750 (4.16% on wages). Horizontal lane movement will be paid at $1,250. The horizontal lane measurements are BA, BA+10, BA+20, MA, MA+15, and MA+30.
The base wages for the extra duty schedule, which is based on a percentage, would increase $1,250 to $32,250. Addition of Junior High Student Council sponsor with a base percentage of 3%. Addition of Junior High FFA Sponsor with a base percentage of 3%.
The extra duty base wages are set forth on Attachment A to this agreement. The base percentage of each extra duty position is listed under 0 year.
Personal days—Employees will have the option to roll over and be paid out personal days. Employees will be given two personal days per year with the ability to roll over one day for a maximum of three days and also be paid out a maximum of one personal day each year. If an employee only has one personal day remaining, they may choose to either roll it over or have it paid out.
Labor Management Committee meetings will continue. This is a one year offer for the 2023-2024 school year.
2023-2024 MMC Teaching Contracts were for Ann Barkel, Dawn Bates, Brenda Bird, Brittany Chochran, Emma Davis, Breeana Devos, Caitlin Dreckman, Shar Duncan, Matt Hansen, Tessa Hansen, Alicia Hergott, Kellie Hogg, Leah Johnson, Ashton Karr, Kendra Knapp, Melissa Lansink, Shari Lehnhoff, Megan Letsche, Nick Long, and Cammy Ly.
Continuing with: Jennifer Nieuwenhuis, Kyle Oswald, Katy Pratt, Alecia Regennitter, Dawn Roberts, Angeleah Roling, Rachel Ruskamp, Ashley Schmillen, Angela Schnepf, Samantha Schroeder, Mark Schuttler, Amanda Seuntjens, Lisa Spieler, Allison Stevick, Elizabeth Swearingen, Jessica Todd, Darcy Weber, John Weller, and Melisa Young.
Then we go to the 2023-2024 MMC Classified Assignments: (COOKS) Jan Bauer, Carol Braun, Christy Carlson, Michele Hansen, Linda Roseen and Ashley Wells. (CUSTODIANS) Leslie Pedersen and Linda Pedersen. (BUS DRIVERS) Gary Husman, Janice Husman, Leslie Pedersen, and Dave Theisen. (PARA PROFESSIONALS) Donna Bolton, Kelsey Campe, Mary Deichmann, Melissa Doellinger, Becky Geerdes, Sandra Lehner, Debra Mayer, Michaela Nelson, Emily Pedersen, Laura Petersen, Rose Reimert, Steven Scheutz, Carla Weber, Brookelyn Wilson, and Natasha Young. (SECRETARIES) are Kristi Ames and Anita Penning.
The Last and Best Offer was: Returning staff for 2023-2024 would receive the following increases: $.60/hour (4.47% on wages) for Custodial, Secretarial, Cooks, and Para-Professionals. Bus Drivers—$75.00/month (4.48% on wages)
Personal days—Employees will have the option to roll over and be paid out personal days. Employees will be given two personal days per year with the ability to roll over one day for a maximum of three days and also be paid out a maximum of one personal day each year. If an employee only has one personal day remaining, they may choose to either roll it over or have it paid out. This is a one year offer applicable for 2023-2024.
Approved contracts (with changes) for 2023-2024 Licensed and Coaching Staff contracts were: Ben Aberson (HS Archery Coach); Brenda Bird (HS NHS—National Honor Society Director). Brenda Bird (HS Play); Lonnie Boekhout (HS Athletic Director); Shane Bork (HS BB Boys Asst.); Emma Davis (HS Band); Emma Davis (JH Band); Breeana DeVos (HS Vocal); Breeana DeVos (JH Vocal); Caitlin Dreckman (JH Volleyball); Nick Dreckman (HS Wrestling Asst.); Shar Duncan (HS Archery Asst.); Matt Hansen (HS SkillsUSA); Tessa Hansen (Elementary Vocal); Brad Hodgen (HS BB Boys Asst.); Timothy Jones (HS Bowling); Ashton Karr (JH Volleyball); Gillian Letsche (HS BB Girls Head); Kyle Oswald (HS FB Head); Sam Schroeder (FFA Director); Lisa Spieler (HS Cross Country); Taylor Weiler (HS BB Cheerleader); John Weller (HS Yearbook) and Melissa Young (HS BB Girls Asst.)
However—then it was moved to amend the agenda, creating D-1 Ratify the Classified Associations Agreement and D-2 that was Classified Work Assignments.
Now we go to D-1 which was moved to ratify the Classified Staff work assignments and carried 4-0. D-2 was moved to approve the total package increase of 3.89% to returning staff for the 2023-2024 school year and was carried 4-0.
The total package increase of 3.89% to returning staff for Classified Work Assignments for MMC for the 2023-2024 school year were approved but tabled for R-U.
The Budget Hearing date for FY24 and the date FY23 Budget Amendment Hearing was approved by MMC for April 10, 2023 in the MMC Principal’s office in Marcus at 7 a.m. and Remsen’s date is April 10 at 7:30 a.m.
Approved was Resolution to levy for FY 24 budget guarantee. (See Supt’s report for more information on this.)
Local Gov’t Risk Pool Renewal was tabled until further information is presented. The Iowa Local Government Risk Pool (Iowa LGRP) was formed out of a need communicated by school districts to meet their unique budget challenges and help them navigate the changing energy landscape. Governed by a board of directors of school superintendents, the Iowa LGRP was organized under the Iowa Code chapter 28E in the fall of 2019 and has quickly grown. WoodRiver Energy and ISFIS are service providers to the program, with decades of combined energy service experience working with Iowa Schools and local governments.
This program transfers risks of increases in natural gas costs due to weather-driven demand and other market forces away from the school district. When Winter Storm Uri caused natural gas prices to spike 200-300 times, the average price in Feb. 2021, participating districts were not impacted. In addition to the budget protection, the premium may be paid from the district’s Management Fund rather than General Fund, according to an opinion from the State Auditor of Iowa. The premium is based on 125% of the average historical usage at the lowest prices the Pool is able to lock in ahead of the winter heating season. There are 122 districts participating in this program.
Approved for staff resignation was Special Education teacher, Kathy J. Pedersen who is retiring at the end of the 2023 school year.
R-U approved the bus bid from Blue Bird and approved the Bus Barn Door from Tri-State for an estimated subtotal of $6,220.
MMCRU approved AEA Cooperative Purchasing Agreement for the 2023-2024 school year.
Copier Agreements from Access Systems were approved by MMCRU.
A gratuity bonus of $2,500 was approved for Matt Hansen for Fundraising Efforts.
MMC approved the 12 Passenger 2019 Ford transit T-350 with 86,000 miles that was priced at $42,990.
MMCRU Middle School/Remsen Elementary Principal Toby Young reported the Projected Class Numbers for 2023-2024 as follows: PS with 19 (with sections); TK with 8-10; K with 15; Grade 1 with 26 (2 sections); Grade 2 with 21; Grade 3 with 16; Grade 4 with 22; Grade 5 with 56; Grade 6 with 37; Grade 7 with 35; and Grade 8 with 48.
Brandon Weisert, MMCRU Elementary and High School Principal reported the Marcus Elementary and MMCRU High School have concluded he third quarter with grades going out last week. We have had a very eventful last few weeks with our Band and Choir POPS concerts, Dance Night, Foundation Supper and Gnimocemoh Week.
Ms. DeVos and Ms. Davis put on a great POPS concert. It was great to see the growth through grade-levels as they were all performing individually and together. Dance night had over 70 elementary participants in Dance Camp and between both elementaries and Mrs. Schroder, they put on a very nice show.
Gnimocemoh was last week—this is a backwards homecoming event with dress up days, trivia, an assembly, and an opportunity to block classroom doors with donations of food items. If classroom doors get blocked, then they have the option to play games that day as a reward.
Student Recognition: Agriculture: March 4 was the Northwest Iowa FFA District Contest. Reporters Scrapbook: Sophie Hohbach and Emma Vasher (Bronze); Floriculture: Perla Solano, Issac Astidias, Charles Easton, Ava Prescott, Carson Loutsch, and Kaden Neddermeyer; Nursery Landscape: Kaden Neddermeyer and Carson Loutsch; Delegates: Kaden Neddermeyer and Carson Loutsch and Northwest District Vice President: Mason Peters.
Bowling: Carson Miller qualified for state bowling. Boys Basketball: All-Conference: Brayson Mulder 2nd Team; Kyler Bork Honorable Mention. Girls Basketball: All-Conference: Kora Alesch 1st Team & 3rd Team All-State; Avery Schlenger 2nd Team, and Jadyn Young Honorable Mention.
Special Olympians: State Basketball: Jaxon Woodall, Tessa Weiler, Kaysen Ankenman, and Christian
Speech: State Contest Participants; Andrea Penning (Poetry), Ashley Hurtado (Solo Musical Theater); Hope Russell (Solo Musical Theater and Acting); and Kaden Neddermeyer (Literary Program). Kaden’s performance was selected to perform a the All-State Festival on March 27.
Archery: State Qualifiers: Individual 3D: Emma Vasher, Elizabeth Pederson, Elspeth Hogg, Olivia Spenner, Mitchell Schnepf, Brayden Olson, and Mason Peters. Individual Bullseye: Emma Vasher, Elizabeth Pederson, Elspeth Hogg, Olivia Spenner, Brayden Olson, Mason Peters, and Mitchell Schnepf. Team 3D: Emma Vasher, Elizabeth Pederson, Elspeth Hogg, Natalie Plagman, Caitlin Wetter; Brianna Schuetz, Caitlin Olson, Olivia Spenner, Brayden Olson, Mitchell Schnepf, Mason Peters, and Josh In Elementary, we celebrated Read Across America which we paired with a Read-a-thon fundraiser to help raise money for the playground. Our Marcus Elementary students to date have read over 28,000 minutes in just a few weeks. Students and teachers dressed up, read up on Dr. Seuss, celebrated, and even ate some green eggs and ham.
At the end of the month we will complete ISASP testing in both buildings. These are our state assessments that we take every year and main driver in determining our school performance profile.
Superintendent Dan Barkley reported that both districts have tentatively settled with the MMCEA and the RUEA are seeking board approval for both of these settlements. In addition, the MMCCA (MMC Classified Assignments—cooks, bus drivers, Paras, and secretaries) has also tentatively settled and are also seeking approval of the tentative settlements. I appreciate the good faith effort put forth by the associations and the board negotiations committees for both districts. An amicable and fair settlement is one way in which we are creating a culture that makes it easier to retain and attract talent to work in our schools.
Now that the contract settlements have been completed (assuming board approval tonight), we present to both boards the licensed teaching and coaching contracts for your approval. All coaches have been evaluated through the winter sports season. We are hopeful that by focusing on relationships and providing a worker-friendly/family-friendly environment that we will retain most of the staff currently working at MMCRU and hopefully attract new staff members to join us as well.
The resolution to levy for the FY24 budget guarantee is a mechanism put in place by the districts in case our enrollment would drop. The budget guarantee is a mechanism put in place by the legislature many years ago to cushion the blow of declining enrollment. While I am not anticipating a decline, the new ESA legislation makes retention of students an even greater “wild card” than before, so it is even more important for us to pass a resolution to levy for the FY24 budget guarantee, should we lose students this upcoming year.
Thus far, the move of the south wing of the high school to the Methodist church across the street has gone relatively smoothly. The temporary location is not perfect, but I believe our staff and students are doing a good job of making the best of our temporary solution. I’m thankful to the church for allowing us to rent their facility for the remainder of this school year.
The administration is seeking approval from the RU board to cut a hole in the southern portion of the bus barn in Remsen, in order to put in an additional door. By doing so, we can be more efficient with our space and avoid having to back-up buses as much in that location.
Congratulations to Toby Young who was named the 2023 School Administrators of Iowa Middle Principal of the Year. Mr. Young does an outstanding job as leader of our campus in Remsen, and I am happy that SAI has recognized his fine work. His honor is another artifact of the outstanding educational opportunities that our students at MMCRU have in our districts, due to the hard work of our outstanding staff. Also, Matt Hansen has been names as a finalist in the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science teaching (PAEMST). Matt will soon find out whether he won the state competition. If so, he is eligible for a $10,000 award and a trip to Washington D.C.
Construction continues to progress on the new facilities in Marcus. Many windows have been installed and soon sheet rock will begin to be installed in the new elementary facilities. Asbestos has been removed from the south wing of the high school, so work has begun on gutting that portion of the high school so the complete remodel of the high school can be accomplished in the summer.
The RU Building Committee met again to refine and improve their plan for updates in the RU facility. Soon we will have a revised scope of work which we will share with the full RU board after it has been vetted by the RU Building Committee. HVAC work will happen at RU this summer, and the additional updates will happen in the summer of 2024.
Now that universal school choice is a reality in Iowa, MMCRU needs to consider ramping-up our efforts to market and brand our schools. I have begun reaching out to individuals who specialize in marketing to see what ideas we can glean to target our audience in an effort to improve our schools and make MMCRU more attractive to families within and outside of our districts. Soon we will have a marketing meeting once again to discuss new ideas, and in the future I may want to hire or contract with a person on a part-time basis to help organize and refine what we do in this area. We need to be strategic and forward-thinking if we wish to survive and thrive in the increasingly competitive educational marketplace. Marketing and branding will be more important than ever to the future prosperity of MMCRU.

The Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn Board of Education met in a joint regular board meeting with Remsen-Union Board of Education on Monday, March 20, 2023 at the Remsen-Union Media Center at Remsen, Iowa. R-U Board members present were Krier, Tentinger, Loutsch, Penning, and Harpenau. Absent: No one. MMC Board members present were Staab, Olson, Leavitt, and Prunty. Absent: Dreckman.

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