Cadott School Board; Salary changes approved for retention and recruitment

By Julia Wolf

After seeing how the district’s compensation stacks up compared to other districts, the Cadott School Board voted to increase the pay for some positions, during a regular meeting July 12.

The board learned of the differences at a Committee of the Whole meeting last month. The difference was especially noticeable in secretary and paraprofessional positions.

Jenny Starck, district administrator, presented an updated graph, where it aligns closer to what others are paying, for board approval. Starck says the updates move the midpoint for paraprofessionals to $16.75 and the midpoint for secretaries to $19.50.

The salary changes also differentiated the administrative assistant for business services from building secretaries and changed the school psychologists contract from a 210-day contract, to a 200-day contract, keeping that position flat.

Becca Blanchette, board member, asked if the salaries are something they should look at every year, on their own, with outside help every five years or so.

Starck says they should be at the regional level on a regular basis. She says CESA has started doing surveys to help with that process.

“The only other thing is, if we all of a sudden have a lot of turnover,” said Starck, adding they could have an outside company look at just those positions.

Board members also approved additional extra-curricular offerings.

Best Buddies was added to the list, after Starck realized it was not on the list previously, with a cost similar to a class adviser.

For cross country, the motion maintains the extra coach added last year, as the numbers have grown.

“Typically, that coach has focused on junior high, because that is where a big bulk of kids were,” said Starck, adding that could change over time.

The board also accepted a donation for $144, from Citizens State Bank, toward unpaid lunch fees.

Members also approved the hire of Diana Frierson, custodian; Jeff Golden, custodian; and Nicole Jessick, junior and senior high school head cook.

The board also accepted the resignation of Kristin Drake, fifth-grade teacher.

I have accepted a position with another school district as an instructional coach, wrote Drake. Cadott has been instrumental in my growth as an educator, and has made it possible to develop my strengths and leadership skills.

The resignation of Dana Mengel, track coach, was also approved.

Thank you for the opportunity to coach the junior high track, wrote Mengel. I have enjoyed working with the kids and watching them progress in their skills.

Members also accepted the resignation of Jill Alexander, sixth-grade teacher.

I have accepted a principal position with another district,

wrote Alexander. I would love to stay, but because I feel a calling to leadership, I’ve decided to serve in a different capacity.

In the information portion of the meeting, Starck went over the DPI Wellness Report, which looks at the district’s wellness policy every three years. The report helps districts determine whether they are following their own policies concerning nutrition, physical education and wellness, and whether those policies meet the standards to be exemplary.

Starck says the main weaknesses she noted, was that the district administrator is supposed to report to the board on the wellness policies annually. Another thing that lowered the district’s score, was not listing positive wellness activities the district already does in the policies, such as recess at the elementary level.

“So, some of those we are going to look at updating, just so that we’re more in compliance,” said Starck.

She also says there is an ad-hoc Staff Wellness Committee and they are looking to become more systematic with the committee.

Starck also reported on the eSuceed grades. There were two students with multiple failed courses and Starck says she thinks both are planning to return to in-house classes next year.

Brad Sonnentag, board member, asked if those students will be able to graduate on time. Starck said they should be able to and said counselors will work with the students to get them back on track.