Sharing of school leader could be in question

MC School Board must vote on issue again

The Mason City School Board has been advised it should re-vote on that district’s sharing agreement with the Clear Lake School District. 

Monday night, the attorney for the Mason City School Board told the group its 3-3 vote in December to discontinue the 60:40 sharing 

agreement with Clear Lake for the services of Superintendent Anita Micich must be resolved.  Mason City Board members Janna Arndt, Mark Dodd and Bob Thoms voted in favor of the motion, while Paula Recinos, Scott Warren and Tim Becker voted against it. Board member Darshini Jayawardena could not attend the meeting, but had planned to vote via phone, however she could not be reached.

Since December, Tim Becker has resigned from the Board.  He was replaced Monday by Jim Collins.  The next meeting of the Mason City School Board is March 16.

Following Mason City’s December vote, the Clear Lake School Board unanimously 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 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.