MISD employees could see insurance increase

Teachers and staff members at Moulton ISD may be seeing an 8% increase in employee insurance.

This was discussed at the May 1 school board meeting. Currently, there are 51 employes who are utilizing the school’s insurance. The district pays $273,000 for the total employees. The extra amount with this increase would come out to an additional $35.76 per month for hourly employees. The district is one of the few schools in the state of Texas that covers the insurance for their employees.

MISD school board members have opted to split the difference if insurance were to rise meaning that employees will pay around $17.88 while the district pays the other $17.88. Board members were nearly split on this decision with four votes for and two votes against.

This increase isn’t set in stone just yet.

MISD also approved permission for the nurses to administer certain medications.

“Right now, the nurse is very limited to what she can administer at school,” Superintendent Renee Fairchild said. “With standing orders, she will be able to administer other medications.”

Some of these approved medications included antibiotic and anti-itch ointment, aloe vera gel, contact solution and saline eye wash, Bactine first aid antiseptic, and Chloraseptic mouth spray.

Three board members also did the oath of office for the renewal of their term. Place 4 Chuck Greive, Place 6 Daniel Beyer, and Place 7 Justin Anderle all took oath. The district also nominated Beyer to serve as President. Anderle and Carol Dvorak were also nominated as Vice President and Secretary respectively.

MISD also approved a budget transfer taking some money from the general fund to Career and Technical Education expenses.

“To recall how far we have come for the CTE program is unbelievable,” Beyer said. “There’s more and more interest in the CTE program and it will only get better. We already outgrew our CTE building and we’re looking for more space. That may be something that we will discuss on the horizon in order to figure out how to expand the program because that is one of the programs within this district that generates dollars.”

Other items on the agenda included:

• The board approved a draft letter to be sent out to employees stating that if they have an outstanding balance on their cafeteria orders, then that will be taken out of their paycheck.

• MISD discussed the School Resource Officer’s contract and possible changes which may occur. Currently, the district pays for their salary while the City of Moulton takes care of their benefits.

• The district discovered there are many older pictures of band students in the band hall. They aim to make these pictures digitally so that alumni can view them.

• Moulton One Act Play recently has finished third at Regionals and are alternate to state. This is important because they are the first OAP group in Moulton since 1994.

• 17 High School UIL students have also advanced to state.

• High School Awards Night will be held May 15 at the American Legion and graduation will be May 17.

• Physicals for athletic students will be offered at the Moulton Clinic on May 17.

• The maintenance crew will be allowing high school students to help them during the summer.

• MISD will have a new motto for the 2024-25 school year. The motto will be “We Are Moulton.”