The Clintonville School District’s attempt to clarify language in its overload pay policy was tabled by the school board at its meeting, Monday, March 23.
Clintonville School District Superintendent Tom O’Toole said the purpose for the proposed changes was to clarify the language in the policy and make it reflect what currently happens.
He said teachers at the middle school and high school have been teaching six classes, so the district wants part-time designation based on six classes.
Jean Morgan, co-president of the Clintonville Education Association, asked the board several questions regarding the proposed changes.
O’Toole said the district isn’t looking to create a lot of part-time staff, adding that part-time staff leads to turnover.
Board Member Jim Schultz said he had concerns about overload in general.
He said there seems to be “no limit” as to the amount of time a teacher spends teaching.
“Do we have any limits to what we can assign to them. I’d like to see something to allow them to get a breath,” Schultz said.
After discussing the matter, the issue was tabled to allow O’Toole to meeting with teachers in the district. The first reading of the policy changes will take place at the next school board meeting.
The board unanimously approved sending a letter to residents of the district regarding pending legislative recommendations. The purpose of the letter is to ask for assistance from those in the district.
Before approval O’Toole read the letter to the board.
The letter states the district has operated under state imposed revenue limits, but funding has changed over the past few years. The district’s budget is now less than it was four years ago.
The letter addressed several recommendations in Gov. Scott Walker’s budget proposal.
In the letter, the district asks residents to contact their state government representative and Walker to express concerns about the budget proposal.
Al Hartwig, a resident in the district in attendance at the meeting, commented on the letter.
He said workers in the private sector haven’t received raises for years, and the private sector employment is down.
“When is the government — federal, state, and local, including a school board — going to say, “Hey, maybe these people can’t afford it,” Hartwig said.
He said it’s time for schools districts to get back to basics.
“We don’t need self-esteem training and everything else in school. Let’s get back to reading, writing, and arithmetic instead of worrying about all of this other stuff, and maybe you wouldn’t have to come and ask for more money every year,” Hartwig said.
Hartwig questioned the cost of sending the letters throughout the district.
“You’re always wandering around with your tin cup. Why don’t you worry about cutting expenses once instead of going around asking for handouts,” Hartwig said.
The board unanimously approved repairing and replacing the Clintonville Middle School roof during the summer. The cost is to come from fund balance.
The district received seven bids, ranging in cost from $82,750 to $144,079. The board approved the bid of $82,750 from Northeastern. The company has worked with the district in the past.
The board unanimously approved entering into a wrestling cooperative team program with Marion High School for the 2015-16 school year.
During discussion, Schultz asked how many wrestlers would come from Marion. Clintonville High School Associate Principal Eric Ward said he knew for sure one student from Marion will participate next year.
“We’re anticipating in the next few years anywhere from 6-8 additional wrestlers,” Ward said.
He said the goal is to build the wrestling program up over the next several years, and the co-op should help accomplish that.
The administration presented to the board the results from the high school solo & ensemble contest.
Schultz said he noticed there are very few instrumental performances ranked high.
“I’m concerned that the lack of lessons in the middle school is contributing to the quality of the band instruction,” Schultz said.
Board Clerk Jim Dins agreed.
“We have a proud tradition in music and I think our music staff is good,” Schultz said.