Committee approves revised teacher and administrator contracts, calendar adjustments and shared library media specialist

The Manitowoc School District committee voted to approve revised teacher and administrator contracts, adopt calendar changes for this year and 2026–27, create a shared library media specialist position, and adopt updated policies.

The committee approved redlined and clean versions of teacher and administrator contracts that staff said were reviewed by the district’s school attorney. A staff presenter said the administrator contract was “beefed up quite a bit” to clarify protections and expectations; the presenter also noted that teacher contracts must be delivered to employees by May 15 for the upcoming year. A board member moved to approve the proposed administrative and teacher contracts; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote (count not specified).

Why it matters: Approving updated contracts sets terms for staff pay, assignments and benefits for the coming school year. The contract packet included an expanded administrator agreement and a standard teaching contract template without guaranteed assignment language, which staff said allows the district to assign teachers within the scope of their license as enrollment and staffing needs change.

Board action on the calendar: Committee members voted to leave May 1 as a non-student day this year (previously reserved as a snow-makeup day) because staff said the district currently exceeds Wisconsin’s statutory instructional-hour requirements. The board also approved adding two additional professional development days before the 2026–27 school year—moving from five to seven pre-school staff-only workdays—to give staff time to prepare for building moves and other start-of-year tasks. A staff presenter confirmed the two additional days will be the same dates for all staff; a press release will be issued to notify families and staff after final approval.

New shared library media specialist: The committee approved creation of a licensed library media specialist to be shared across elementary schools. Staff characterized the role as a licensed teacher salary with a master’s degree (approximately $59,000, depending on experience) who would support digital literacy, curricular alignment and resource ordering while principals would continue day-to-day supervision of building-based media staff. The position was described as replacing an open EL teacher vacancy rather than adding net headcount beyond existing budgets, and a motion to create the position was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Policies: The committee approved a round of policy updates, including revised expectations for board member conduct and communication. A motion to adopt the policies as amended passed on a voice vote.

Votes at a glance: - Approve revised teacher and administrator contracts — voice vote; outcome: approved (count not specified). - Keep May 1 as non-student day (this year) — voice vote; outcome: approved (count not specified). - Add two pre-school professional development days for 2026–27 — voice vote; outcome: approved (count not specified). - Create shared library media specialist position (licensed teacher salary, master’s) — voice vote; outcome: approved (count not specified). - Adopt updated policies as amended — voice vote; outcome: approved (count not specified).

What’s next: Staff said contract distribution and a press release will follow once approvals are finalized. The calendar changes and the new position will be included on the board agenda next week for formal ratification at the full board meeting. The committee did not provide numeric roll-call tallies; outcomes were recorded as voice votes.