H-D/CAL boards joint for joint meeting

The Hampton-Dumont and CAL school boards came together for a joint meeting on Monday, July 24.

At the meeting, the new members of the respective boards were introduced to each other and discussed shared items of interest for the districts, from shared positions to transportation requirements.

Moving into the H-D board's regular meeting, Dan Aalbers and Alexis Vosburg, representing the Hampton-Dumont Education Association, presented the board with their initial offer for the 2022-23 master contract.

The teacher's association is asking for a roughly 3.245% increase in compensation, along with some specific provisions such as a $1,000 retention stipend for current teachers, more flexibility on using sick days for family illness, and some form of bonus compensation for teachers that don't use their sick days.

"We don't know what that language that would look like, but it's something we we'd like to discuss," said Aalbers.

Superintendent Todd Lettow expressed his appreciation to the teacher's association for presenting their initial proposal and will be working with the board to present a counter offer over the next few weeks.

In other personnel matters, Lettow approached the board about a way to retain Child Nutrition Director Sara O'Tool, who had resigned from her position during the previous meeting for personal reasons. O'Tool has since indicated that she would be willing to work part-time for the district, with some flexibility to work from home, in order to get the school through the year. The board was receptive to that arrangement.

The board also discussed how the shared contracts for the business management staff between H-D and CAL as the two districts return to having two different superintendents. It was agreed that Business Manager Lisa Lewis' contract would remain essentially unchanged, save that she will be working entirely for the Hampton-Dumont district.

In other personnel matters, the board approved contracts for new Superintendent Aaron Becker, substitute teacher Sophia Martinez, High School Administrative Assistant Anna Koch, and Permanent Substitute Teacher Kari Subbert. The board also accepted the resignation of Cara Schwake as a school associate and the retirement of paraeducator Debra Horner.

In other business, the board discussed athletic event ticket prices, noting that an increase in ticket price may soon be implemented. The board also floated ideas to help reduce the cost for students, looking favorably at West Fork's sponsored game program, which pays for students to go to home games.

Superintendent Lettow also reported on COVID-19 activity in the district, stating that cases seem to have peaked last week with 32 students and ten teachers out. Those numbers have come down considerably since then.

The board discussed current policy regarding testing and isolation, asking for clarification on what kind of tests are accepted and how long students are expected to stay home when testing positive, particularly if days are counted by school days or full days.

Director of Innovative Programs Steve Madson updated the board on his work, particularly with the alternative school. Madson reported on the successes of the program, which has been able to help keep students in school that may have otherwise dropped out.

Finally, the board discussed a list of summer projects to consider for 2022 and planned for interviews for a new High School Principal.