DEWITT — The Central Community School Board held its regular meeting Tuesday despite only two members present in the flesh, Jim Irwin and Kurt Rickard.

To meet quorum requirements, board president Christy Kunz participated via Skype from La Guardia Airport in New York.

The three members approved 2012-2013 contracts with all school personnel except Superintendent Dan Peterson, whose contract will be on the agenda at a July 2 special meeting for his evaluation and a board goal-setting session.

The Central DeWitt Education Association contract was approved with a $600 raise to the base pay, setting it at $27,851. The schedule has 21 steps and ends with an education specialist/doctorate degree pay of $61,644. Language changes were included because of the realignment of buildings and a $90 payroll deduction for family health insurance was added in the 3.62 percent increase package.

In support personnel, a number of language changes were approved and new pay increases were the following: for teacher associates at Step 2 a 15 cent hourly increase or a 2.26 percent package; for custodians, a 20 cent per hour across the board increase or 2.29 percent; for bus drivers, no step movement and a 5 cent hourly increase added to the wage schedule, substitute driver rate and activity trip rate or a 2.59 percent package; for food service workers, a 20 cent per hour across the board increase or a 2.21 percent package; and for secretaries, at year one, $12.92 per hour (a 10 cent increase), at year two, a $13.34 (11 cents) increase, at year three, a $13.54 (11 cents) increase or a 1.99 percent package.

Central Business Director Cindy McAleer noted that health insurance increases and Iowa Public Employees Retirement Program costs are a big part of the packages. Some of the language changes also equalize the disparity between the percentage increases with teachers and administrative schedules.

Administrators received an across the board increase of 3.5 percent. A two-year contract was approved with the salary for the second year not set but not to be less than the first year.

Central High School Principal George Pickup’s salary will be $95,000 and with benefits $123,819; intermediate/middle school principal Jim Wichman, $97,803 with benefits $121,479; Director of Student Services Terri Selzer, $83,058 with benefits $102,907; and Innovation and Technology Director Amy Wichman, $68,453 (for a 190 day contract) with benefits $87,061.

In supervisors and other support staff contracts, building and grounds supervisor Keith Walker’s salary is $58,048 with benefits $80,212; building and grounds assistant Mike Mumm, an hourly rate of $17.26 (total package of $54,390); maintenance Gary Schneider, $16.88 per hour (total $53,466); maintenance Kurt McCaulley, $16.46 per hour (total $52,442); food service supervisor Luanne Barber, a salary of $30,977 with benefits $48,638; transportation supervisor Steve Thiltgen, a salary of $43,142 with benefits $62,827; mechanic Ryan Jones, an hourly rate of $18.95 (total $58,487); family resources Amanda Greubel, a salary of $30,993 with benefits $41,176; juvenile court officer Jill Kleppe, a salary of $38,489 with benefits $57,369; business manager McAleer, a salary of $69,612 with benefits $94,018; administrative assistant Gayle Pepmeier, a salary of $38,439 with benefits $57,341; and administrative assistant Karey Carlin, a salary of $33,957 with benefits $52,115.

McAleer said the raises were in line with state averages. Peterson said the district has funds for the increases but the 2013-2014 budget will be tighter depending on factors such as enrollment.

The board approved the resignations of Casey Kettmann as seventh grade assistant football coach, Tom Meade as eighth grade boys track coach, Jered Birt as assistant varsity football coach, and Rachel Truelsen as assistant varsity volleyball coach.

The last open faculty position of fifth grade was filled by Collin Ellis. Ellis is at BA Step 1 and graduated from the University of Iowa.

Employed were Kale Petersen as assistant boys basketball coach, Michael Miller as head varsity football coach and Heath Kelley as eighth grade boys track coach. Nine teacher associates’ contracts were terminated with the expectation some would be rehired. Toni Gassman was transferred to the high school secretary/registrar position,  Andrea Roseland to cook at St. Joe’s, Carla Baxter to intermediate/middle school kitchen manager, and Madonna Schlofeldt to St. Joe’s cook.

The contract of Craig Reuter as high school science teacher was amended to BA24 Step 8.

In addition, Peterson noted there will be five sections of kindergarten and two jump start classes which shows increased kindergarten enrollment.

The board approved policy changes recommended by administrators and the Iowa Association of School Boards; nutrition department rollover bids for milk with Prairie Farms, bread with Sarah Lee, service work with Star and water conditioning with Kirby;  and a contract with Berens-Tate Consulting Group of Omaha, Neb., for arbitrage rebate services. The company will make sure the district complies with tax exempt guidelines for its general obligation bonds.

The bid of Midwest Tennis and Track of Boone for $61,675 was approved for the resurfacing of the new high jump, long jump and track area.  

The board accepted a donation of flag poles for the sports complex by the Roger Oltman family, and David and Amy Necker were appointed to the School Improvement Advisory committee.