Principals to receive a 3.41% total package increase this year, 2.42% next year

The Austin School Board unanimously approved a two-year, 5.83 percent total package increase for the district’s principals for the upcoming contract year and next.

The board, meeting Monday evening, followed the recommendation of Executive Director of Human Resources Mark Raymond.

The Austin Principals Association ratified the agreement on Feb. 14.

Principals will receive a 3.41 percent total package increase this year, and 2.42 percent increase in 2021-2022. The district also agreed to a $500 increase in a matching contribution to retirement accounts.

The package is held by 14 principals in the district, Raymond said.

In other business:

Calendar: Approved the 2020-21 school calendar and 45/15 modified calendar. The first day of school on the regular calendar is Aug. 31. The December holiday break will be Dec. 23-Jan. 1. Spring break will be March 29-April 2 and graduation will be June 4. The modified calendar shows a first day of July 28, with intercessions on Sept. 28-Oct. 16 and March 15-April 2. The December holiday break will be Dec. 21-Jan. 1.

Seals: Approved to award bilingual and multilingual seals to graduates, following a recommendation by Executive Director of Educational Services John Albert. Students who demonstrate a required proficiency in speaking, writing, reading and listening in a language or languages other than English may be awarded a bilingual or multilingual seal which allows them to earn up to four semesters’ worth of free credits if they attend a Minnesota State college or university. The seals may be awarded no matter how the language was learned. Also qualifying under the requirements are American Sign Language and American Indian indigenous languages. Students must request the college semester credits within three academic years of graduation from high school and upon enrollment to college.

Retirements: Accepted requests for retirement this year. From the certified staff: Lisa Deyo, Southgate; Sharon Hoefflin and Marsha Wilson, Banfield; Norma Olson, I.J. Holton; Wayne Olson, Austin High School; Violet Osmonson, Ellis Middle School; and Greg Wehner, special education case facilitator, elementary level. Non-certified staff: Marie Knutson, food service, Neveln; Karen Tracy, food service, AHS; and Karen Vaith, food service, Woodson.