Clear Lake will continue sharing school staff with MC

Will plan for possible end

On a unanimous vote Monday night, the Clear Lake School Board approved continued sharing of four district positions, including that of Superintendent Anita Micich.
 Despite the action, board members laid the groundwork for some changes and stressed they must begin planning for a future in which they likely will not share a superintendent.
 “The end is in sight. What is our plan going forward?” asked Board member John Loge. “We have to make sure we are equipped going forward.”

 Loge was referring to the Dec. 8 vote of the Mason City School Board concerning continued sharing of a superintendent with Clear Lake. That Board split its vote, 3-3, on a motion to discontinue sharing Superintendent Anita Micich with Clear Lake on a 60:40 basis. The tie vote resulted in the measure failing.
 Clear Lake Board member Chyrl Bergvig suggested the Board begin to concentrate on putting aside some of the savings the district has been realizing through sharing to fund hiring of a new superintendent, if needed.
 Board Secretary Lorna Leerar shared figures with the Board at Monday’s meeting which show the district, helped by state incentives, has spent just $121,930 for the shared superintendent over five years. Total district savings by sharing a superintendent tops $765,000.
The combined savings of all shared positions is over $1.3 million to the Clear Lake School District, Leerar reported.
The School Board also voted unanimously to continue sharing its IT director, food service director and transportation and grounds director. Sharing will also continue with Mason City for TAG and French instructors; with Ventura for consumer science; and with Garner for the Alternative High School.
The Clear Lake School Board will advertise immediately for a Facilities/Operations supervisor. The Mason City School Board voted Dec. 8 to not continue sharing Todd Huff with Clear Lake in 2015-16. Board members hope to make the hire soon, allowing the new person to work with Huff until his contract expires July 1, 2015.
While approving the continuation of sharing the Transportation and Grounds director position with Mason City, the Board said they intend to shift those duties to the new Facilities/Operations supervisor after the 2015-16 school year. Board members said that based upon the size of the district, they believe one person could handle the combined duties. Clear Lake previously had one person directing building, grounds and transportation departments.