The open Greene County School Board meeting took place Wednesday night.

Superintendent Tim Christensen started out the meeting by providing some district-wide updates. He said in the initial proposal from the Greene County Education Association, they were wanting a $300 increase in the base salary for the 2017-18 school year, followed by a $200 increase for the 2018-19 school year based on a two-year contract. The bus driver’s union wanted a three percent increase for each of the next two years. The Board will make a counter offer at their next regular meeting on March 22nd.

Board members then gave their opinions in regards to the changes that the Iowa legislature recently made to collective bargaining as it relates to school districts. Dr. Dave Ohrt said it makes it easier to negotiate, but it also takes power away from the teachers. Christensen noted that school boards and teachers have to continue to work together to accomplish anything and Ohrt agreed adding that teachers are the critical part in education.

As far as the legislature making changing to supplement transportation costs on rural school districts, Christensen hopes it becomes a reality. He said their district is the eighth largest in the state in terms of distance for transportation. The district spends $300,000 more than the state average on transportation alone.

Finally, it was mentioned that the Glidden-Ralston School Board also approved to share a band instructor at the start of the 2017-18 school year.