MP School District gets ready for new leadership

BY KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

The Mt. Pleasant Community School District may have filled the superintendent position, but the district isn?t quite done filling leadership roles.

Interim Superintendent Dr. John Roederer said now the superintendent position has been filled, it is time to get to work hiring a full-time director of instruction. With the board?s permission, Roederer said he would like to begin advertising the position tomorrow (Tues.) and have the ad active for the next three to four weeks while he gathers applications. He said he would hope to interview for the position around mid-March.

?The last couple of years, the position had technology with it (instructor of technology), but we are putting technology out of that,? said Roederer. ?It will be directly focused on instruction.?

?It is so important that the person we bring in is highly knowledgeable in curriculum, instruction and assessment, along with being able to communicate well with the staff, faculty and administration because the key to success is communication,? Roederer added.

The board also authorized Ed Chabal, director of business and finance, to issue a contract to John Henriksen for the superintendent position. Henriksen?s salary would be $170,000, plus health insurance benefits.

During Monday?s meeting, the board also approved posting notice of intended action to amend the district?s vacation policy. The amendment to the policy would allow employees returning to the district to be given credit of years experience with the district when calculating vacation leave.

?This involves the hiring of our superintendent, John Henriksen, giving him more vacation that he requested or felt was appropriate in his contract,? said Board President David McCoid.

Full-time employees who have served a full year are entitled to one week of vacation with pay. After two years, employees receive two weeks, three weeks after 10 years, and four weeks after 20 years of service.

Board member Melinda Huisinga said this is practiced in the corporate world.

Lastly, Roederer spoke briefly to the board about the district?s next task ? hiring a director of curriculum. The position became vacant after Darren Hanna resigned prior to the 2015-16 school year. Since Hanna?s departure, the district has hired an interim director.

Roederer added the district is also looking for a director of food service. He said he has one individual who may be interested in the position.

Lastly, the board discussed the relocation of Central Office. Roederer said the City of Mt. Pleasant has notified him they would like to take back the office space on the second floor of the Mt. Pleasant Public Library on July 1, 2016. Roederer said he believes this would be an opportunity to find a space that would not only house Central Office staff, but staff from support services.

Roederer added he felt the city would be willing to work with the district if they were not able to get into a space until the end of July or first of August.

In other business, the board approved the hiring of Caitlyn Schmeiser, Harlan one-on-one para; Krista Mitchell, Middle School one-on-one para; Don King, Middle School night custodian; John Henriksen, Superintendent; and Ginger VanBibber, Lincoln para.

The board also accepted the resignations of Jamy Ball, elementary exercise science teacher and boys? golf coach. Ball?s resignation will take effect at the end of the school year, as well as the resignation of Maggie Hawkins, food service, effective Feb. 19.

Paul Olson, special education bus driver was terminated effective Jan. 15, as the student he was driving left the district. The board also approved the following volunteer coaches: Dave Hutchcroft and Daryl Shy, Middle School girls? track; and Ed Wilkerson, bowling.