West Central Area meeting approves reclassification and posting for MARS coordinator position

At a 7 a.m. meeting in the secondary school media center, the West Central Area gathering approved reclassifying the MARS coordinator position to the district's second pay tier, converting it to a 12‑month role and posting the opening internally for five days. The Chair moved the motion and a Committee member seconded; a voice vote carried the measure.

The Presenter, who introduced the item, said the MARS coordinator "is a driving force to the revenue in the district" and described the role as responsible for key reporting functions, including JMC, MARS and Star reports. The Presenter recommended placing the position on a pay scale of $24.27 to $28.25 per hour and limiting placement to no higher than step 5.

The Presenter said the change would support summer duties and additional reporting work and argued the reclassification would be a good long-term investment for the district because improved reporting and marketing could increase enrollment and revenue. "Marketing is huge nowadays, and we just need to have a better presence," the Presenter said, urging that marketing time be built into district office duties if the board supports it.

Board discussion addressed practical staffing implications: the Presenter said the current MARS coordinator could be reassigned if they accept the reclassified role, and the administrative assistant position might be adjusted to a 30–32 hour workweek depending on needs. The Presenter said the district planned to post the reclassified position internally for five days, hoped to hold interviews the following Tuesday, and could bring a candidate for approval the next Wednesday if timelines hold. The Presenter also estimated the reclassification would raise pay by about $2.50–$5.00 per hour depending on step placement and placement in the scale.

A Committee member asked whether adding hours would require posting under the relevant union rules; the Presenter said the union affiliation of the position was not specified in the discussion and that they were unsure of the exact process, though they believed existing staff would be given a first chance at increased hours. The board did not record a roll-call vote; the Chair announced the motion carried by voice vote.

The meeting concluded after the Chair accepted a separate motion to adjourn.

Next steps: the board approved the reclassification and posting; the Presenter indicated internal posting for five days and anticipated interviews and a candidate recommendation on a Wednesday meeting if the internal process yields a candidate.