Board approves 36 staff lane changes, district cost just over $182,000

The Marshalltown Community School District board voted unanimously Sept. 15 to approve 36 staff salary lane changes for 2025–26, at a total cost to the district of "just over a $182,000," Board Secretary Randy Denham told the board.

The lane changes — which reflect staff credential or education-level movements on the district salary schedule — were presented at the meeting as part of the certification process that staff submit annually. Denham said the district historically budgets about $200,000 for lane changes and that this year's total is slightly under that figure.

Denham summarized the administrative process: staff had until early September to submit paperwork to human resources, and the district worked with HR to process requests. ‘‘So this year, we have 36 staff members who will be moving over lanes at a total cost to the district…of just over a $182,000,’’ he said.

Board President Sean Heitman praised staff commitment to continuing education, calling the pattern ‘‘impressive’’ and adding that the professional development benefits students as well as staff. The board approved the motion to accept the 2025–26 lane changes by voice vote, 4–0.

The vote was recorded as 4 in favor, 0 opposed; the board did not identify individual dissenting votes. No amendments to the lane-change list were made at the meeting.