Superintendent sharing will top Monday agenda

Mason City School Board casts 3-3 vote on issue

The Clear Lake School Board will discuss the future of various sharing agreements with the Mason City School District when it meets Monday night, Dec. 15.

The Mason City School Board met Dec. 8 and voted to discontinue sharing Facilities/Operations Supervisor Todd Huff with Clear Lake in 2015-16.  The Board split its vote, 3-3, on a motion to discontinue sharing Superintendent Anita Micich with Clear Lake on a 60:40 basis. Mason City School Board members Janna Arndt, Mark Dodd and Bob Thoms voted in favor of discontinuing the sharing agreement, while Paula Recinos, Scott Warren and Tim Becker voted against it.  Board member Darshini Jayawardena was absent.  Arrangements had been made for Jayawardena to vote via telephone, but efforts to reach her during the meeting were unsuccessful. 

The tie vote resulted in the measure failing.  Therefore, sharing will continue.

It is uncertain if the Mason City Board will vote again on the superintendent question prior to Clear Lake’s Monday meeting.

“We will definitely be talking about the sharing agreements for the Superintendent, IT Director, Food Service Director, and Transportation Director on Monday.  We will also discuss what to do with the Maintenance Director position as a result of the Mason City board decision,” said Clear Lake School Board President Mark Tesar.

Tesar and Mason City Board President Bob Thoms met following a workshop meeting between the two boards Dec. 1.  Tesar said he will be sharing a summary of that discussion with his board on Monday.

“The 3-3 vote was a bit of a surprise to me,” said Tesar.   “I continue to be grateful that the Mason City board has considered sharing the superintendent position with the Clear Lake district so we are able  to increase opportunities for all of the students in both districts.  The Mason City vote will impact the discussion for our next board meeting as we consider which sharing agreements make sense for the Clear Lake district to continue for another year.”

The Mason City Board was in favor of continuing sharing agreements with Clear Lake for its transportation/grounds supervisor, IT director and food service director.  All positions are shared through one-year agreements.  

Mason City holds the contract for the superintendent, transportation/grounds and facilities/operations supervisors. Clear Lake employs the IT and food service directors.