School board OKs superintendent pay increase

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

The Charles City Board of Education approved a pay increase for the district superintendent at its meeting this week that was less than it gave teachers and other staff, but more than he said he wanted.

The board unanimously approved a 1.9% package increase for Superintendent Mike Fisher, who is completing his first year with the school district.

Board President Robin Macomber noted that the 1.9% increase is less than the 2% given to the senior leadership team, less than the 2.33% increase given certified staff, less than the 2.34% increase given administrative support and less than the 2.43% given non-certified staff, but she made it clear the difference in his increase wasn’t based on performance.

“Actually, Superintendent Fisher asked for no increase in wage,” Macomber said.

“He’s worked very hard the last year and we so appreciate everything you’ve done,” she said, addressing Fisher. “This is just a small token of our appreciation, for sure.”

Fisher, who was the principal at Hoover Middle School in Waterloo before beginning his position in Charles City last summer, said, “I’m very thankful and very blessed to be here.

“It’s not about the money,” he said. “It’s about the special kids and I just appreciate the generosity of the board and the entire district, so thank you very much.”

Fisher’s salary increase is $3,822, including changes in the benefits package to coincide with current teacher benefits. He was hired at a base salary of $150,000 when he started as superintendent last July 1.

Also at the school board meeting Monday evening:

• The board approved conveying to the city of Charles City three small right-of-way parcels near the North Grand Building, as part of cleaning up title issues for that property so the school district can sell it for development. There were no comments from the public regarding the action at a public hearing held prior to the decision.

• Heard a presentation from each of the district’s vocal and instrumental music teachers regarding their programs in the past school year.

• Heard a presentation on the trip to Peru on which Robert and Phoebe Pittman led 16 students.

• Heard from Supt. Fisher that negotiations with TLC: The Learning Center to lease space in the North Grand Building for its child care programs are continuing and he may have a report in a month or so.

• Approved the resignations at the end of the school year of Joclyn Rawn, kindergarten teacher; and Ryan Fank, K-2 special education teacher and co-head wrestling coach; and of Bob Kloberdanz, assistant varsity football coach, effective immediately.

• Approved the appointments of Angie Holzer, high school Spanish teacher; and Sherri Meza, teacher librarian, effective in August.

• Approved transfers of Eric Johanningmeier, high school math teacher, to TLC coach; Lisa Nelson, middle school and high school reading teacher, to kindergarten teacher; and Donna Forsyth, Iowa BIG North teacher, to half-time Iowa BIG North teacher and half-time middle school and high school exploratory teacher.

• Approved reciprocal agreements with bordering school districts to allow buses to travel into adjoining districts when necessary for safety or efficiency reasons, or to transport private school or open-enrolled students.