School Board continues personnel discussion

The Clear Lake School Board continued to make tough personnel decisions at its regular Monday night meeting.  The Board approved hiring one additional teacher for the next school year, but passed on several other hiring recommendations by staff.  

On a 3-1 vote, the board approved hiring an additional first-grade teacher to help with the large amount of students at that grade level.  Chad Kuhlers voted against the hiring.  Board member Chyrl Bergvig was absent from the meeting.

Despite support voiced by a few students and Middle School Principal Steve Kwickel, the Board chose not to make a motion to retain eighth-grade history teacher Chelsey Shreeve for the next school year.  Kwikkel pointed out that test scores showed the addition of Shreeve has made a positive impact for the district. Since no action was taken, the School Board could revisit Shreeve’s possible layoff at a later meeting. 

State law dictates that school districts have until April 30 to notify teachers of possible layoffs.  Those teachers then have a right to a private hearing with board members before final action is taken.

The board also chose to take no action on Superintendent Anita Micich’s recommendations to make a part-time vocal music instructor full-time and to add a technology-related coaching position. 

The board did approve sharing plans with West Hancock for a media specialist one day a week and a Spanish instructor with the Hampton-Dumont school district.  

The board has committed to cutting its budget for the next school year by about $600,000.