FM board may add student reps

STUDENT BOARD MEMBER

I hope we could find some students that would be interested, but my only concern is that those that would be interested, I’m guessing, would be that small percentage that is involved in everything and it might be difficult.”

Mio Santiago, FMCSD Board Member

FORT MADISON – The Fort Madison Community School District Board of Directors could be looking at an expansion in the coming year.
At Wednesday’s regular meeting of the board, an agenda item brought up the discussion of adding a student representative to the board.
Superintendent Dr. Erin Slater said several of the other districts she’s been part of have had a student sit as a non-voting member of the board.
Central Lee School District has had a student representative as part of that board for many years.
Adding a student representative is allowed by process to have a student on the board, Slater said.
She said the board would go through an interview process. The term of office would be for a full year.
An Iowa Association of School Board memo on the subject said the district should determine what process should be in place to select the student representative.
“I’ve seen it in the two other districts I’ve been in,” Slater said.
She said the two districts had different approaches where one used a junior to serve for two years and continuity, and the other used a senior so more students were part of the program.
The idea was presented as a form of policy, but Slater wanted to have a discussion with the board about the interest level.
Board member Mio Santiago said he thought it was a great idea.
“I hope we could find some students that would be interested, but my only concern is that those that would be interested, I’m guessing, would be that small percentage that is involved in everything and it might be difficult,” he said.
Part of the responsibilities would be to communicate board action to the study body. Santiago asked how that would be handled.
Board member Brad Menke agreed that it was a fantastic idea.
“I have no problem with a student being on the board with us, but there’s the aspect is could there be a committee of students that sits here and represents that board,” he said.
“Instead of trying to put that all on the shoulders of one individual. That’s the way I can see it. Like Mio said, the people that would be involved in this, they’re in everything.”
Board member Amy Thacher pointed out that there’s an option for more than one. Menke said there would be one seat but the students could sort out who would be on the board. Maybe one person who would have a proxy.
Board member Paul Wilkerson said the high school could put it to a student vote, or have the student council president serve as the student representative.
Board chairman Josh Wykert said that election has already been made so that could be the determining factor in who got the spot, but Menke pushed back that it could be too much for one student.
Wilkerson said if they had a limited committee that supports the student board rep, then they could nominate and vote someone out of their committee.
Menke said it’s a lot of work for the adults.
“How much are we pushing on these kids to get them stressed out? But, if they had a committee to help, then that might be a good idea,” he said.
Santiago said it’s a leadership opportunity for students, but maybe they talk to the administration at the high school for their input.
“But I love the concept,” he said.
In other action, the board approved a 3-year extension of Slater’s contract through June 30, 2027. Her current contract was set to expire on June 30, 2025. With the extension, Slater’s base pay increased from $193,717 to $204,237 or 5.4%.
Slater will continue to receive an additional $14,000 in compensation as part of a vacation buy-back. Her contract allows her 25 days of vacation, five work weeks, but the buy-back is for seven days at $2,000 per day.  The contract also provides for full premiums on health and dental insurance, a company vehicle, and a $100,000 life insurance policy.
Slater just started her ninth year with the district and her 34th year in education.
“I am excited to begin another year of service to the FMCSD school district and community. Together with administrators, board, and staff, FMCSD has accomplished great things and continues to provide strong education environments for kids,” she wrote in a prepared statement.
The statement indicated under Slater’s term the district has improved student achievement, added preschool programs, increased extracurricular opportunities, increased concurrent enrollment offerings, overseen a $36 million construction and renovation.