by Steve Schulz,
Editor
The Verndale School Board approved a new, one-year contract for Superintendent Jim Madsen Monday, but only on a part-time basis.
The board signed off on a $40,000 year salary plus benefits for 180 days of service between July 17, 2006, and June 30, 2007.
Board Chairman Marcus Edin said the district is pursuing a sharing agreement to split the hours and salary of a superintendent. Verndale has already had discussions with Eagle Valley and Sebeka schools, and "we're hoping to meet with a couple others," Edin said.
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Madsen, who will now have the title of interim superintendent, joined the district as a high school principal in 1980. In 1985, he became the district's full-time superintendent. He left in 1997 and took superintendent jobs with three other districts: Mabel-Canton (1997-99), Henning (1999-2001) and Pine River-Backus (2001-04).
He returned as a full-time superintendent to Verndale in 2004, and has served in that capacity until this summer.
He was actually retired for 48 hours until the new contract took effect.
In other action Monday, the Verndale School Board:
- Raised the admission price for adults for school sporting events from $3 to $4, but kept student admission at $2. After noting other districts charge $4 for students and $5 for adults, the board voted for the change, but stressed most local people still buy season passes at much lower prices: $10 for students, $25 for adults and $50 for families. The new price, the board said, would mostly affect visitors from out of town.
- Increased the reimbursement rate for teachers and staff for mileage and meal allowances. The mileage reimbursement went from 30 cents to 35 cents when a district vehicle is unavailable, and from 20 to 25 cents for when a district vehicle is available, but the staff member chooses to take his/her own vehicle anyway. Meal rates rose for breakfasts from $7 to $12, for lunch from $9 to $11, and for dinner from $13.50 to $16.
- The board approved bread, milk and fuel bids from Pan O' Gold, Cass Clay and G&L Service, respectively.
