Electors split then approve smaller pay increase for McFarland school board; reimbursement and other motions pass

Electors at the McFarland School District annual meeting debated and approved a modest increase in school board compensation and cleared several routine governance motions.

A proposal to raise board member pay from $3,700 to $4,000 was moved by Jim Hickey and seconded by Meredith Huey; that motion ended in a tie and did not pass. The electors then approved a substitute motion, offered by Cassandra Dennis and seconded by Craig Howery, to set the annual compensation for school board members at $3,850. The second motion passed by a recorded hand count of 8–4.

First reference and context: The chair, Megan Fessler, presented the item and noted that board members were currently paid $3,700 annually (last set in 2023) and that the Dane County average for other districts was about $3,968. Chapman said the county average for board-member pay is $5,136 when presidents and higher-paid presidencies are included; other board members’ average was cited around $3,968.

During public comment, electors offered differing views. Jim Hickey, an elector, argued the increase was modest relative to responsibilities and urged support; Cassandra Dennis, who later moved the compromise, expressed concern about sustainablity and the district’s funding priorities before proposing the 3,850 figure. Elector Meredith Huey sought and clarified the per-member and term impacts during the discussion; she noted the approved $3,850 level increases district annual cost by $1,500 and raises each board member by $150 per year (or $900 over a three-year term).

Other governance actions on the agenda carried by voice vote or hand counts: electors authorized payment of actual and necessary expenses for board members while traveling on district business and reimbursement for actual loss of earnings; they authorized disposal of surplus tangible property; they authorized the school board to set the 2026 annual meeting date under state statute; and the meeting was adjourned.

Nut graf: The compensation debate highlighted trade-offs electors considered between recognizing board members’ time and keeping scarce resources available for classroom and staff needs. After a brief tie on a larger increase, electors approved a middle-ground raise and completed routine district business for the year.

Details and outcomes: The initial $4,000 motion resulted in a hand count that produced a tie; per the chair the motion failed for lack of majority. The substitute motion to set pay at $3,850 passed 8–4. Electors also passed a motion authorizing reimbursement of school board members’ necessary travel expenses and a motion authorizing disposal of surplus property; both motions were approved without recorded opposition. Electors authorized the school board to set the next annual meeting date under state statute 120.081 and then adjourned the meeting.

Ending: The meeting concluded after electors completed the annual statutory items, including the levy resolution and the compensation vote, and the chair thanked electors for attending.