School employees get wage increases

Luverne School Board members increased the salaries of supervisory and exempt employees at a special June 10 meeting.
Superintendent Craig Oftedahl conducted evaluations with each of the positions. For three employees, he recommended a per-month raise while recommending two other positions be compensated for added duties.
“I didn’t want to do everyone at 3 percent,” he said.
District Food Service Director Ann Rigney received the largest increase based on her performance and the addition of 20 days to her contract.
For the added time Rigney will set up the new middle-high school kitchen and prepare food selections for up to five service lines planned for the 2021-22 school year.
Her salary was $37,738 for 2020-21 and will now increase to $44,512 for the 2021-22 school year.
Technology coordinator Wade Hiller will receive an increase of $3,995 based on added duties created during distance learning and upcoming one-to-one technology for elementary through high school students.
His salary was $76,005 for the 2020-21 school year and will be $80,000 for 2021-22.
Three employees received salary increases of $100 per month for the 2021-22 school years:
•Business manager Marlene Mann, $84,205;
•Administrative assistant/payroll Brenda Teal, $54,442;
•Transportation supervisor Brad Goembel, $65,891.
Board members accepted Oftedahl’s recommendations. Board member Katie Baustian was absent.
The board also approved hiring Stacey Thone as a sixth-grade teacher for a salary of $42,417.