At Monday night’s school board meeting, many veteran teachers occupied public comments voicing their support for the cash-in-lieu of insurance benefit program that has been the subject of debate amongst the board in recent weeks.

Speaking first was Joy Schirmer, an instructional coach within the district. She commented on the negative impacts on employees and Marshalltown having a higher salary schedule for veteran teachers. Schirmer asserted that she would be paid 5,881 dollars more at Marshalltown but the cash-in-lieu is an attractive benefit.

During her comment, Schirmer invited all staff members in attendance that would be impacted by the decision to stand, inviting the board to consider those staff members as they make decisions.

“I don’t know how taking money from one pool of teachers compared to another group of teachers is fair in any way. So all I’d ask for you guys to do, please think about that and let’s be fair to everyone. Keep it the same,” Dustin Peska added.

Missy Jesina spoke on an email she sent to the board the morning of the meeting, that had the support of 25 employees. Noting that specific group of teachers possess 520 years of experience at South Tama. Jesina made the case that the elimination of the program would not be an effective cost savings, as health premiums are more volatile with aging and veteran staff members.

“I appreciate that the board is asking some questions and challenging some of the recommendations put before them. Some are saying that schools need to be run more like a business but I want to remind the board members that a business is only as good as its employees. I’m disappointed that the first place that we’re looking to make budget cuts is targeting loyal veteran employees,” Deanna Zmolek added.

Karen Murty directed her comments in a different direction.

“If you guys quit worrying about (the) woke agenda and start teaching the kids to do reading, writing, and arithmetic, and teach them a trade,” she said.

Murty continued by adding that all departments should take budget cuts evenly to reduce the tax burden on farmers.

Dixie Forcht, a teacher who is the president of the teachers union, spoke as well, adding her concerns with the potential cut of benefits. She spoke on the district’s revenue problem with the addition of the Tama-Toledo Christian School, noting that employees may walk if benefits are cut.

Anne Michael, who taught 33 years before retiring from the district, spoke as well. Michael’s remarks were based on finances for public schools.

“We should not have to pit private schools against public schools. Neither one is the problem. The problem is the state legislature,” she said.

During Superintendent John Cain’s update, he shared his thanks to the speakers from earlier in the meeting.

“I do thank everybody for being here tonight. I don’t have too many comments but I think in the end, I hope to find more unity in our approach than differences,” he said.

When the board started discussion, two main trains of thoughts emerged. Rick Hopper shared that he thought the program wasn’t fair and that it should be phased out, while Megan Thiessen shared her support for keeping the program, which has a natural sunset built in. The benefit has not been offered since 2014 and will naturally end when all staff members currently using the benefit leave the district.

In the action items, the board approved keeping cash in lieu at $831.30 matching single coverage and $2,359.17 to match family coverage. Ayes were Dolezal, Keahna, and Thiessen while Hopper and Hanus were Nays.

The board entered an exempt session before adjourning. The next regularly scheduled meeting is set for April 13th.