A breakfast program for the Area Learning Center students and requests for meal services for Even Start students has led to the need for increased food service staffing hours at Brookside Education Center.

In a proposal approved by the Albert Lea school board Monday, Food Service Director Mary Nelson presented a staffing change request to create a position responsible for meal service to ALC and Even Start students. The schedule change creates a 7-hour day position.

At the high school, the schedule revisions will include increasing the head cook position by one half hour, increasing a cashier position by two hours, decreasing the hours of one cook position from seven hours to 4.5, decreasing a cook position by two-and-a-half hours, decrease a cashier position by 45 minutes, and decreasing two kitchen helper positions to four hours from 5 and 4.5 hours.

Although the changes reduce the high school work schedule by 2.25 hours, it adds 3.5 hours to the Brookside schedule. The additional cost would be covered by charges Even Start would pay for their meals and by additional breakfast revenues, the district said.

In other school board news:

– The district finalized its new school bus transportation policy and limits. In order to qualify for district transportation in the city, kindergartners must live at least one mile from the school they attend. All other students must live at least two miles from their school. No student will be expected to walk more than one mile to a bus stop in the city.

– The board approved a recommendation by Ken Petersen, board chair, to approve the contract of Superintendent of Schools Dave Prescott for July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2004. His salary will be increased by 3 percent the first year and by 3.5 percent the second year of the contract.

– The board approved the appointment of the following positions: Marcia Rietsema, special education teacher at Albert Lea High School; Sue Jorgensen, music teacher at Southwest Middle School; Laurie Herman, teacher at Halverson and Sibley Schools; Dara Gjersvik, teacher at Hawthorne and Lakeview Schools; Stacie Stensrud, teacher at Hawthorne School; Robin Brown, art teacher at Albert Lea High School; and Corrine Tims, principal at Hawthorne School.

– The board approved the adjustment of Jill Nelson, teacher at Southwest Middle School to Step 7, effective for the 2002-03 school year; and Heather Earl, administrative assistant to the superintendent and school board, from Step 3 to Step 6 effective July 1, 2002. Also approved were the resignations of Kristine Irvine, special education teacher at Halverson; Julie Eyler, cashier at Lakeview; and Stacy Lindberg, special education teacher at Lakeview.

– A medical leave of absence was granted for Mary Mueller, para-educator with ECSE, effective for the 2002-03 school year.

– The board approved a request from Charlene Van Ryswyk that her child, Jordon Van Ryswyk, a resident of the Albert Lea School District 241, be allowed to attend the Glenville-Emmons School District 2886, effective for the 2002-03 school year.

– The board voted to accept a $3,350 grant from the Perpich Center for Arts Education to fund Southwest Middle School’s participation in the ACE-Theater Program for the 2002-04 academic years. The grant will provide reimbursement for substitute costs and travel expenses.

– An initial hearing is set for Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. in the school district board room for Truth in Taxation hearings on proposed property taxes for taxes payable in 2003. If necessary, a continuation meeting will be held Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. in the school district board room.

– The board approved an agreement with the administrative assistants covering the period July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2003. The agreement calls for the adding 10 cents to the salary schedule and the increase of longevity pay by 15 cents, a $90 per month increase in health insurance and modification in language regarding medical benefits and severance.

– The board approved expenses of $375 for policy renewal and $4,995 for membership dues in the Minnesota School Boards Association.

The next board meeting will be held Monday, Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. at Brookside Education Center.