Decorah School Board Approves Budget Adjustments and Staff Raises

DECORAH -- The Decorah Community School Board approved an $8.5 million amendment to the 2024–2025 school budget on Monday, citing rising operational costs and previous accounting adjustments. The budget increase—totaling $8,496,403—accounts for additional salaries, food cost increases, technology payments, and roofing projects, as well as the correction of a previous budgeting error in support services. In one of the meeting's key actions, the board unanimously approved a 4.36% total package increase for certified staff under a new agreement with the Decorah Education Association (DEA). The contract includes a $150 base salary increase, a sixth coaching step, expanded personal day options, and clarified compensation policies for event staff and coaches' families. "It's a great symbol of how much we care about our teachers and our staff and how much we appreciate them and how much they do for us and for our students," said Director Aaron Zander. "It's more generous than the state average, and it reflects our values." Board members also approved compensation agreements for classified and administrative staff. The new wage schedule sets a district minimum hourly rate at $16.10, with increases of $1.80 to $1.90 per hour for paraeducators and other hourly employees. Board members described the changes as significant support for lunch staff, bus drivers, and custodians. The board approved the 2025 Decorah High School graduation list, pending completion of all requirements. Of the 139 seniors, one—Natalie Goodner—was voted on separately due to Board President Cindy Goodner's abstention for conflict of interest. Facility upgrades also advanced, with board approval of three roofing project bids from Northern Cedar Service totaling just under $400,000, covering sections of Decorah High School and Carrie Lee Elementary. In other business, board members approved contracts with the University of Iowa, Upper Iowa University, and Keystone AEA, as well as a contract with School Café to serve as the district's new nutrition accounting platform. A one-time implementation fee of $2,995 and an annual cost of $5,370 were approved. High School Principal Brad Hurst, counselors Pat Trewin and Brigit Storhoff, NICC project coordinator Maddie Putnam Keck, and a student representative presented the district's updated Career and Academic Plan. The district earned a perfect score on the state's rubric last year, and the program continues to integrate work-based learning through both classroom and external experiences. Superintendent Dr. Tim Cronin provided an update on the new elementary school's design, saying staff were continuing meetings with architects. He also noted progress on the LP fueling station and shared that the district had made its final payment on the high school remodel bond, freeing up about $450,000 annually in the SAVE (Secure an Advanced Vision for Education) fund.