School Board extends teacher retirement deadline

"A lot has changed with the budget as far as retirement," explained District Administrator Joe Price. "We should give people the opportunity to apply for retirement at this time."

Price noted the I-S School District has until April 15 to send lay-off notices to teachers.

Price also announced that the I-S teachers union has expressed interest in negotiating a contract before the state eliminates their right to collective bargaining.

In other staffing news, the board approved medical leave for Sam Bertsch and Kristin Bertsch.

The board also accepted the resignation of Willy Mork as track coach and approved a contract for Stu Erickson as assistant baseball coach.

In other business, the board approved 38 open enrollment applications. The applications included 22 out of district students applying to attend I-S schools and 16 I-S students applying to leave the district.

Summer school was approved for June 13 through July 1, and Aug. 1-12.

"I think it's important for our kids to have summer school," stated elementary principal Tess Lecy-Wojcik.

Board members questioned if summer school numbers would still count toward state aid.

"There is no indication that the state will drop summer school from the student count," Price said.