Mineral Point School Board members Monday night focused on staff and space needs.
The board approved posting two additional special education teaching positions, one at the elementary school and one at the middle school, for next school year due to increased need.
The cost could be offset at least in part by increased state reimbursement for special education costs, if that becomes reality.
Board members said all students would benefit from the additional full-time positions, as would teaching and support staff, because of inclassroom support.
The board also touched on space needs at the elementary school.
Second grade teachers attended Monday night’s meeting to advocate for adding another section to second grade next year.
Space is already short. According to minutes from an operations committee meeting last week, music is being taught in the cafeteria and guidance is in the hallway.
Potential ways to ease the space shortage include moving fifth grade, which has four sections, to the middle school, and renting portable classrooms. Other solutions are being explored.
The board also:
- Approved an across-the-board 2.63 percent raise for all staff, based on the consumer price index, with steps for eligible employees.
- Supported adding more from-scratch items, which have been popular, to the food service offerings, and trying to find grants to help defray potential added costs.