School activity handbook will undergo review

by Marianne Gasaway

The Clear Lake School Board will consider proposed changes to the district’s activities handbook at its June meeting.

Last month Activities Director Dale Ludwig spoke with the Board about conflicting information in the book.  Specifically, Ludwig said clarification was needed concerning rules for club and high school sports eligibility.  In question was an eighth grade student who wanted to play club and high school softball at the same time this spring.  

Ludwig’s interpretation of the activity handbook was that the action would be a violation of the district’s rules.  However, school officials were notified by the district attorney that language in the handbook was vague and if the matter was placed before a judge, the district would likely lose.

At the May 11 School Board meeting Superintendent Doug Gee proposed he and Ludwig, along with building principals and head coaches review the activities handbook and make recommendations

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for changes.  Action on the suggestions could follow in July.

Gee suggested team meetings with coaches, parents and athletes would also be a good way to communicate the contents of the activities handbook.

Other business

In other business, the Board voted to keep district fees the same in 2021-22.

Sharing agreements for a guidance counselor and social worker were also approved.  As she has done for the past two years, guidance counselor Deb Sharar will spend one day per week at Lake Mills and four days in Clear Lake.  Lake Mills will pay 20 percent of her salary and benefits.  

A 28E agreement Garner-Hayfield-Ventura will also be repeated.  Social worker Ashley East will be shared.  She will spend one day a week at GHV and four days in Clear Lake.  GHV will pay 20 percent of her salary and benefits. 

The School Board also approved an increase in the fine arts supplemental schedule pay in fiscal year 2022.  Head positions will receive a 1.5 percent increase; assistants will receive a 1 percent pay hike.

Based on tentative enrollment numbers provided by Superintendent Gee, the Board agreed to hire two additional lower elementary teachers.  Early projections show the kindergarten class could exceed 100 students, resulting in 20 or more students in each section.  This year there was four teachers for 92 kindergarteners. Large classes are also anticipated in first and fifth grades.  The additional staffing will be hired on a two-year contract and placed where needed.

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