The Mineral Point School Board held its regular monthly meeting Monday, and did so for the first time virtually.
Superintendent Mitch Wainwright, Board President Jeff Basting, and Board Secretary Angie Schubert were present in the Board Room practicing social distancing while other members of the Board checked in from home on their computers.
The public was able to watch the meeting live online. Additionally, the video is available here: https://youtu.be/xKr47Xdiq9M
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, districts throughout the state are looking to add a Board policy on meeting virtually under emergency needs.
Other business:
— The Board unanimously approved applying to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for a waiver of instructional hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Go to the 22 minute mark)
— The Board unanimously approved a 1.81% CPI increase for teacher contracts for the 2020-21 school year. (Go to the 31 minute, 30 second mark)
— The Board unanimously approved tabling the approval of summer contracts. There was a proposed $5 an hour increase for non-Mineral Point staff who teach summer school. Current Mineral Point staff are paid at a percentage of their current wage. It was requested Wainwright bring back comparative numbers from other districts. (Go to the 35 minute mark)
— The Board approved by a 5-2 vote (with Steffes and Basting voting no) a 1.81% CPI increase for additive contracts (such as coaching and advisors). (Go to the 41 minute mark)
— There was a proposal to add $1 an hour to the support staff wage schedule. A motion was made to change that number to $0.50. That motion failed by a 4-3 vote with Lindsey, Steffes, Sullivan, and Chambers voting against. Support staff will receive their step increase next year (or a CPI increase if they are off the pay scale). (Go to the 56 minute mark)
— The Board unanimously approved an increase to substitute teacher wages. The proposal was to increase substitute teacher pay by $15/day and long-term subs by $25/day. The new rates would be $115/day for a sub, increasing to $125/day after 10 days in the district. A long-term sub would be paid $150/day. Any sub coming back to the district for another year of work would start at $125/day. (Go to the one hour, 19 minute, 30 second mark)
— The Board unanimously approved the addition of a middle/high school English Language Arts teacher. With the large number of middle school students in 7th and 8th grade, the building level principals requested this addition. The new teacher will work with both middle and high school students. (Go to the one hour, 58 minute, 30 second mark)
— The Board discussed the health insurance increase of 5.5% for next year, which is the second year of a two-year agreement approved last year. (Go to the one hour, 33 minute mark)
— The Board tabled a vote regarding a request to pay the home to school route of the bussing through First Student. Currently the contract states the district is responsible for “services rendered.” (Go to the one hour, 39 minute, 15 second mark)
— Wainwright held a discussion around the preliminary 2020-21 budget as development has started. (Go to the nine minute, 30 second mark).
— It was mentioned the Spanish trips to Spain and Puerto Rico have been postponed, as has the middle school trip to Washington DC, originally set for this summer. (Go to the 20 minute, 30 second mark)
— The Board approved the credit card statement and bills payable by a 6-0-1 vote with Basting abstaining. (Go to the two hour, five minute, 45 second mark)
— A special Board meeting for the oath of office is scheduled for Monday, April 27 at 6:30 pm. The regular May Board meeting is set for Monday, May 11 at 6:30 pm.