Madison Central School Board approves personnel items

The Madison Central School Board has approved a two year agreement for the district’s classified staff.  

Madison Central Business Manager Mitchell Brooks explained the agreement to board members during their meeting Monday.  Brooks said the agreement includes a three-percent wage increase each year, and base pay for classified staff will increase by 30-cents an hour each year of the contract.  He said the agreement also includes an increase in the district’s contribution to the classified employees’ health insurance, and an increase in the base pay for bus drivers’ daily routes.

As part of the board’s personnel action on Monday, members approved several resignations, new hires, and re-assignments.  The board approved the hiring of Ben Young and Schuyler Walcheck to both work as part-time Technology Coordinators for the district.  Both were hired to work 20 hours per week at a rate of $18.10 an hour.  The board also approved the hiring of Cassondra Grogan as the Madison High School Art teacher to replace Holly Evans, and Kim Bruns to replace Karen Rahn for this year as a Middle School Reading and Social Studies teacher.  Board members also approved hiring Nichole Ludeman and Taryn Bickett as year-long substitute teachers, and approved the hiring and salaries of eight food service staff.  

Approved by the school board as re-assignments includes Karen Rahn to Middle School Humanities, Melissa Blessington to Middle School Paraprofessional, and Heather Meehan as an Elementary Paraprofessional.  Resignations approved by the board Monday included High School Art teacher Holly Evans, Library Aide Linda Janke, Middle and High School ELL Instructor Jada Baltazar, High School Special Education Para Megan Padget, and custodian Sheena Barrick.  

Also during their meeting Monday, the school board approved the appointment of School Nurse Ashley Coomes as an essential employee.  Superintendent Joel Jorgenson explained to the board what that will mean.

Jorgenson said that more employees could be added to the list in the future, based on guidance the district receives from the state Departments of Health and Education.  He said that the district will be able to get medical grade personal protective equipment for the nurse as an essential employee.