Merton Community School District Board of Education Minutes

Merton Community School District Board of Education Minutes MERTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Board of Education Monday, March 23, 2026 6:00 p.m. Merton Intermediate School Little Theater President Imes called the meeting to order at 6:01 PM. The Pledge of Allegiance followed. President Imes announced the meeting was properly posted. Board members in attendance were Nicole Cotton, Patrick Griffin, Dean Dobbertin, Rebecca Imes, and John LaFleur. District Administrator Russ was in attendance. There were no reporters and three citizens in person. Approval of Agenda Motion by Dobbertin second by Imes to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0. Community Forum President Imes gave a farewell thank you as her service to the board has ended. Student Showcase The student showcase set to be presented will be rescheduled. Approval of Consent Agenda Items Motion by Dobbertin to approve consent agenda items with the removal of personnel items to be heard separately. Second by Cotton (Approval of Minutes, Approval of Financial Report, Bill Listing and Donations). Motion carried 5-0. A. Approval of Minutes Approved Board Meeting Minutes from Monday, February 23, 2026, at 6:00 PM. B. Approval of Financial Report, Bill Listings, and Donations Approved Direct Deposits #900067618-900067731 in the amount of $204,330.06. Approved Direct Deposits #900067732-900067845 in the amount of $186,258.49. Payroll Wire Transfers #202500237-202500262 in the amount of $382,993.17. Total Payroll in the amount of $773,581.72. Accounts Payable Checks #57478-57510 in the amount of $110,689.04. There were no AP Wire Transfers, Credit Card transaction #22026 in the amount of $18,850.33. ACH/Direct Deposit #252600062-252600066 in the amount of $1,179.40. Total Accounts Payable of $130,718.77. Total Disbursements in the amount of $773,581.72 C. Personnel Actions (Action)-addressed separately from other agenda items. Motion by Cotton to approve the letter of resignation for Rebecca Kohl as presented. Second by Griffin. Motion carried 5-0 Motion by Cotton, second by Griffin to approve letter of appointment for Karla Vanden Boom as presented. Motion carried 5-0 Motion by Cotton, second by Griffin to approve letter of appointment for Olivia Boray as presented. Motion carried 5-0 Motion by Cotton, second by LaFleur to approve letter of appointment of Karly Mutranowski as presented. Motion carried 5-0 Motion by LaFleur, second by Griffin to approve letter of appointment for Samantha Cook as presented. Motion carried 5-0. Delegations to be Heard There were no delegations to be heard. District Administrator's Report/Principal's Report Our Principal Report this month had Bob Blessington and Steve Newcomer discussing District Learning Walks. They are brief and informal classroom visits (non-evaluative) involving both school leaders and teachers. The core objectives are to monitor curriculum implementation consistency, observe real-time instructional practices, and assess levels of student engagement. The purpose is to focus on school-wide trends, ultimately providing evidence-based support for educators, improve student learning outcomes, and affect professional development planning. Donations No donations to report. Open Records Requests No open records requests outside of typical state/nation wide requests. Committee Reports The Negotiations Committee met with Arrowhead United Teachers Organization (AUTO) on March 9th to exchange salary proposals for the 2026-27 School Year. A 2.63% increase is what was discussed as an agreement between the two, and what is being recommended to the board. New Business A. Final Review of K-8 Science Curriculum (Action) This is the final reading/review of the newly proposed science curriculum as it was first presented to the Student Achievement Committee and the full Board on February 23, 2026. A final budget will be brought to the board for review in April or May. $140,000 is the currently recommended budget. Motion by Cotton second by Imes to approve the new K-8 Science Curriculum as presented. Motion carried 5-0. B. Approval of Fiberoptic replacements (Action) The District has been postponing this project for the past 10 years due to the fiber optics still functioning. It is now being recommended that we replace the fiber optics between network closets and between both buildings. The replacement of the fiberoptics is important as we look to the future. Higher speed capability will be necessary as technology evolves. The administrative recommendation is to approve the replacement of the District's fiber optics not to exceed $39,000.00 Motion by Cotton second by Griffin to approve as presented. Motion carried 5-0. C. Addendum to Arrowhead District Transportation Cooperative (ADTC) 66.0301 Agreement (Action) Addendum to the ADTC 66.0301 was discussed. This addendum would eliminate the ADTC 66.03 agreement at the end of the 2027-28 school year instead of the 2029-30 School Year. The reason for the addendum is to allow more Arrowhead School Districts flexibility within a future transportation contract. AHS is desiring fewer buses and additional student minutes. AHS, as the fiscal agent, has started this process and all feeder Districts are expected to sign it as well. AHS approved this on March 11, 2026. Motion by Cotton, Second by Griffin to approve the addendum to the ADTC 66.0301 agreement as presented. Motion carried 5-0. D. Approve 2026-27 Master Agreement with Arrowhead United Teachers Organization (Action) The Board's Negotiations Committee and the Arrowhead United Teachers Organization (AUTO) have reached a tentative agreement to increase teacher contract compensation by 2.63% (CPI from 2025), or $104,391.50. AUTO has ratified this agreement within their membership. The final step would be for the Board to approve the agreement. The Negotiations Committee is recommending the Board approve the 2026-27 Master Agreement between the Merton Community School District and the Arrowhead United Teacher's Organization as presented. Motion by Cotton, Second by Griffin to approve the agreement as presented. Motion carried 5-0. E. Approve 2026-27 Administrative Salaries (Action) The proposal for administrative salaries for 2026-27 shows a 2.63% salary increase from last year's contracts. Discussions about staff compensation occurred in a closed session on February 24, 2026. Movement by Cotton, second by Griffin to approve the proposal as presented. Motion carried 5-0. F. Approve 2026-27 Instructional Specialists Letters of Appointments (Action) The proposal for instructional specialist salaries for 2026-27 shows a 2.63% salary increase from last year's contracts. Discussions about staff compensation occurred in a closed session on February 24, 2026. The administration recommends the Board make a motion to approve Instructional Specialist salaries for the 2026-27 school year as presented. Motion by Cotton, second by Dobbertin to approve the proposal as presented. Motion carried 5-0. Future Agenda Items and Meetings 1. April 27, 2026 @ 6:00 PM (Open Session) a. Monthly Meeting w/Community Forum to begin the meeting 2. May 2026 TBD @ 6:00 PM (Open Session) a. Monthly Meeting w/Community Forum to begin the meeting 3. June 2026 TBD @ 6:00 p.m. (Open Session) a. Monthly Meeting w/Community Forum to begin the meeting Motion by Cotton, second by Dobbertin to adjourn at 6:50 p.m. Motion carried 5-0 . Respectfully submitted, Nicole Cotton District Clerk WNAXLP May 13 2026 LWIX0513760