MC School Board keeps superintendent sharing agreement in place

On a 4-3 vote, the Mason City School Board will continue its superintendent sharing agreement with the Clear Lake School District next school year.  

The Board’s attorney had recommended the group readdress the issue after a 3-3 vote in December.  At that time it was believed failure 

to pass a motion to discontinue the 60:40 sharing agreement with Clear Lake for the services of Superintendent Anita Micich meant the issue was dead.  At the time of the vote, Board member Darshini Jayawardena could not  be reached by phone as planned for the vote.  Since December Board member Tim Becker resigned and has been replaced.

Monday night Board members Jayawardena, Paula Recinos, Scott Warren and Mark Dodd voted to continue the sharing agreement.   Board President Bob Thoms, Janna Arndt, and new Board member Jim Collins voted against it.

The 2015-16 school year will be the sixth that the two districts have shared a superintendent, as well as other positions.  

At planning meetings earlier this year, Clear Lake 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 Clear Lake School 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 Mason City School District has saved more than $940,000 since the sharing agreements were established.