With President Jeremy Pickard, member Jed Seward, and Superintendent Brian Stone absent, the Mid-Prairie Board of Education kept things short and sweet at their first meeting of the summer.  

Up for consideration was a wage increase for Superintendent Stone, who will soon begin the second year of his three-year contract.  His salary for 2022-23 was $156,000, an amount he has indicated he would be comfortable maintaining, according to Board Secretary Jeff Swartzentruber.  

All other staff received wage package increases of 3.2% for the 2023-24 school year.  Stone reportedly indicated he would not be comfortable with such an increase for himself.  Swartzentruber said perhaps a 2.69% wage increase should be considered.

Board member Jake Snider wondered why any wage increase at all should be entertained, given Stone’s consent to forgo such.  

“I just don’t understand why we’re having the conversation,” he said.  “We’re projected to be $800,000 to $1.5 million over budget next year.  That doesn’t make a ton of sense to me. Why would we be dishing out a raise for someone who doesn’t necessarily want the raise or feel that they need the raise?”

Ultimately, the board tabled the decision until Superintendent Stone could be present so they could discuss it with him.  Due to expected board member absences at the next regular meeting, a special meeting will have to be called before July 1 to resolve the matter.

Board actions

After a presentation by Kristan Hunter, District Curriculum/Professional Learning Leader, the board approved the Illustrative Mathematics curriculum for 36 classrooms for 2023-2030.  The total cost of the program is $96,793.77, which includes seven years of access to both digital and print resources.  Broken down, that amounts to $3.13 for one year of access for each student.

The board approved a dairy bid from Prairie Farms, as no other milk and dairy providers were able to offer service to the district.

Finally, the board confirmed the termination of Middle School Assistant Principal and Assistant Activities Director Nathan Carlson’s contract.  The board previously eliminated the two half-time assistant principal positions at the middle and high schools, so Carlson could not continue in his role.  He was offered a new contract for Activities Director of both middle and high schools, but he refused it.

Secretary Swartzentruber reported to the board that the district received about nine applications for the open Activities Director position.  Four of the candidates were interviewed, and two of those will be invited to a second interview.  Swartzentruber indicated approval of one of those candidates for the position would likely be on the agenda at the board’s next meeting.

The next regular meeting of the Mid-Prairie Board of Education is scheduled for June 26 at 6:15 p.m. at the Central Office Community Room.