More express 4-day week angst

Ian Erickson addressed the Carlton school board during Monday's regular meeting, informing the board he was taking two of his children out of the Carlton school district.

Erickson emphasized that he liked the school district, teachers, and principals, "but we feel like the four-day week has forced our hand," he said.

Child care was not an issue. Instead, Erickson thought his two younger children should be in school more than four days in a week to provide the kind of educational continuity they required.

There were other issues as well.

"I'm concerned about the amount of kids I see moving to other districts," Erickson said. "We like the small class sizes ... but there's a point where classes can be too small."

Erickson is in favor of consolidation and was concerned about how the changes in enrollment between Carlton and Wrenshall would affect progress toward a merger.

In her report, superintendent Donita Stepan said although it was clear some families had left the district, others were coming in because of the four-day week.

After the meeting, Stepan emphasized that it is very hard to have reliable numbers on enrollment gains and losses at this moment, since it will be some time before all the enrollment paperwork catches up to the district. Final numbers will be known in September or October.

"We're down a little bit, but I'm confident they're going to come back," she said.

Two weeks ago, Stepan directed elementary principal Kari Solarz to contact families leaving the district and ask if free daycare would make a difference in their decision. Results seemed to show that daycare was not the reason they left.

"They were leaving because they wanted a fifth day of instruction," Stepan said.

As for consolidation with the neighboring Wrenshall district, the issue was not mentioned during the meeting except in Erickson's remarks. After adjournment, board chair Julianne Emerson indicated there has been no movement on the issue. She said Carlton was waiting for a response from Wrenshall.

In other matters, the board approved two new contracts with the Teamsters Union: the first one representing the custodians (Teamsters I); and the second one representing food care workers, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, secretaries, data specialists, and the American Indian home school liaison (Teamsters II).

Teamsters l received a $1 hourly raise the first year and a $1 hourly raise the second year with some money added to their 403(b) contribution. Incentive pay was added for custodians who obtain a boiler license, and longevity pay was increased. Juneteenth is now a holiday for custodians.

Teamsters ll received a $2 hourly raise the first year and a $1 hourly raise the second year, along with Memorial Day as a paid holiday.

Finally, the Northern Lights Academy special education cooperative will expand its presence in the secondary school building. The board approved the new agreement with NLA, which will allow use of unused classroom space, netting the school district an additional $23,000 in revenue.