1. The board will present their fiscal year 2022 annual budget for a public hearing on April 8 at 6:30 at GMG Elementary in Green Mountain.

The proposed school tax levy will be a slight decrease from fiscal year 2021 at $12.27 per $1,000 of property valuation. Part of the proposed budget will be the continuation of a surplus levy that works to accelerate the payoff of the district’s general obligation debt. The largest portion of GMG’s debt service are the funds used to pay for the 2009 gym renovation project at the GMG Secondary school in Garwin.

2. Staff contracts were considered and approved for the 2021-22 school year at a board meeting on March 22. Teachers will receive the greater of a 2 percent or $900 increase. Administrators will also see a 2 percent increase. Non-certified staff will see an increase of $0.30 per hour with bus drivers receiving a $1 per hour increase.

The board voted 6-1 to extend extra-curricular contracts to all existing positions with the exception of the head varsity football coach and the weight room supervisor. Adam Anthony has been the head varsity football coach for the past three seasons, compiling an overall record of 3-23. The Wolverines are currently on an eight-game losing streak after moving to the 8-player game format a year ago. Joe Illingworth has been serving as the weight room supervisor this year. Board member Ann Jackson was the lone vote against the extra-curricular contract measure.

3. The board approved an assistance animal policy that sets guidelines and regulations for the use and implementation of service animals by students and staff members. The policy states the district shall allow the use of qualified service animals and assistive animals to accompany individuals with disabilities in all district facilities the public is normally allowed to go, including classrooms and school buses.

Service animals are dogs and in some instances miniature horses trained to do work or perform tasks for individuals with disabilities.

The use of emotional support or therapy animals may also be allowed but on a case by case basis at the discretion of the superintendent.

4. GMG junior high students will have the option to participate in baseball and softball this summer. The board approved a proposal to add junior high seasons of the two summer sports at their March 8 meeting. Coach hirings have not been finalized yet but are anticipated in the near future.

5. The board accept three resignations at their March 8 meeting. School nurse Desiree Mullikin and secondary math and activities director Michelle Bradley both resigned effective at the end of the school year. In early March Bradley accepted a contract to return to South Tama County as a full time high school math teacher. The board also approved the resignation and early retirement request of elementary special education teacher Keith Krier.

School board meetings will return to in-person attendance. Meetings are typically the second Monday of each month and alternate locations between the school buildings in Green Mountain and Garwin.