The Webster City School Board acknowledged the initial proposal from the Webster City Education Association Monday evening.

Trish Bahrenfuss, on behalf of the WCEA, proposed a yearly salary increase of 5 percent, which would raise the regular salary schedule and extra-curricular salary schedule each $1,040. The association also proposed a one percent increase in the extra-curricular department for publications (high school director), instrumental music (middle school), and vocal music (middle school). This would be an increase from four to five percent.

The board approved an increase in school lunch costs for the 2017-2018 school year.

“The lunch prices are set as a part of the National Nutritional Program guidelines set by the federal government,” said Superintendent Mike Sherwood.

Prices are increasing as follows:

• Student lunch price at the high school to increase from $2.75 to $2.90

• Student lunch price at the middle school to increase from $2.70 to $2.80

•Student lunch prices at Pleasant View and Sunset Heights to increase from $2.50 to $2.60

• Adult lunch prices to increase from $3.50 to $3.75

• Student breakfast price to increase from $1.50 to $1.75

• Adult breakfast price to increase from $2.00 to $2.25

According to Sherwood, the price increase is due to Section 205 of the Health and Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 and the authorization of the National School Lunch Act of 2010, which requires school food authorities participating in the national school lunch program to ensure that schools are providing the same level of support for lunches served to students who are not eligible for free or reduced-price lunch as they are for lunches served to students eligible for free lunches.

The board set a public hearing concerning the tentative 2017-2018 school year calendar for Monday, April 24.

According to Sherwood, the current starting date for the 2017-2018 school year is August 23 for students. August 8, 9 and 15 would be new staff orientation days with August 16 and 17 set aside for professional development. The last day of school is tentatively set for May 25.

There are four days to make up for the 2016-2017 school year, according to Sherwood. The last day for pre-k through 4th grade students is scheduled for Wednesday, May 31. The last day for students in grades five through 12 is scheduled for Thursday, June 1 with a three-hour early dismissal.

Middle school and high school parent teacher conference meetings were also discussed by the board.

“Different from the calendar this year is there are no parent-teacher conferences scheduled by date,” said Sherwood. “In meeting with Mrs. Bahrenfuss, and she’s surveyed staff, as far as looking at parent-teacher conferences over a couple week period, staff would schedule the conferences over the two weeks as needed outside the contract day.”

“Because of Infinite Campus and things being available online, we don’t see very many people at conferences,” said Bahrenfuss.

The board approved four resignations:

• Kathy Prime, 6th grade special education/ELL instructor

• Andy Brim, 4th grade at Sunset Heights

• Sandra Ausenhus, pre-k through 8th grade media specialist

• Mary Baum, elementary music instructor

Five contract recommendations were approved by the board:

• Sandra Ausenhus, pre-k through 12 electives

• Andy Brim, elementary math and science

• Rachel Chamberlain, elementary English language arts/Social studies

• Jama Hisler, 5-12th grade math and science

• Michael Ross, 5-12th grade English language arts/Social studies

One voluntary transfer request was also approved by the board. Erica Miller, who currently teaches seventh grade math and science requested a transfer to eight grade math and science for the 2017-2018 school year.

Two fundraising requests were approved by the board:

• Second Grade Shower Strike fundraiser to help support the building of wells in Kenya

• Webster City High School Boys Golf team plated supper at Briggs Woods

The third and final informal board meeting with Northeast Hamilton and Stratford is scheduled for Thursday, April 20 at 5 p.m. in Blairsburg.

The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 24 at 6 p.m. at the school administration office board room.