SCC school board approves extension of pay for full-time employees

This past Thursday, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds extended her proclamation to close down schools and non-essential businesses through April 30, to slow the spread of COVID-19.

No more than a few hours following the announcement, the South Central Calhoun Board of Directors acted quickly to take care of its full-time staff.

In a public hearing and special meeting held at the SCC High School Media Center, the board voted to continue the current pay status for employees of the district. The resolution for the district to pay its full-time staff was first enacted on March 20.

During the 37-minute meeting, the school board held a public hearing on the 2021 fiscal year budget, approved the contract of incoming Superintendent Brad Anderson and discussed options to provide instruction through the closure.

The school board started up the meeting with its public hearing addressing the 2021 fiscal year budget, where Superintendent Jeff Kruse reviewed the levy rates for the individual funds and uses of special funds. The combined levy rate, which came up to $11.12 per $1,000 assessed value, was a decrease from the current rate of $11.25.

Because of closures and limits on meeting size, the board opened the floor to public comment. Other than receiving a call earlier in the week, there were no comments. This prompted the board to close the public hearing.

Moments later, the board approved the 2021 fiscal year budget with the new levy rate.

The board then welcomed Brad Anderson to the meeting, and reviewed the two-year contract that will go into effect on July 1. Anderson was selected to replace Kruse, following a statewide search alongside Grundmeyer Leader Services.

Following the review, Anderson’s hiring was made official when the board unanimously approved the contract.

As Gov. Reynolds ordered schools to remain closed through April 30, Kruse discussed the extension of school closures. According to Kruse, the School Administrators of Iowa (SAI) recommended the extension of employee pay while the Iowa Department of Education has provided options to continue instruction through the closure period.

By providing instruction, any make-up days would be waived.

“Our board will review options outlined by the Iowa Department of Education for continuing learning during the closure, and consider which is the most appropriate path forward for our students, families and staff,” Kruse said in a statement made this past Friday. “We want to ensure that we have the ability to provide high-level teacher and learning experiences, and that all students have equitable access.”

According to Kruse’s statement, a specific plan would be announced by April 10.

Before adjourning, the board then went on to approve the recommendation to continue the pay status for staff through April 30.

The next regularly scheduled school board meeting is slated for 6 p.m. on April 20 at the SCC Middle School in Rockwell City.