LAKE LINDEN — The Lake Linden-Hubbell Public Schools Board of Education approved a one-year contract with teachers at Monday’s meeting.

The contract with the Michigan Education Association includes a 0.75% step salary increase and a one-time $500 payment.

“It always feels good to have that behind you before the school year starts,” said Superintendent Brad Codere. “You don’t want to have that lingering as the new school year begins and we go back to work. You don’t want it in the back of everybody’s mind.”

Due to the uncertainty at the time regarding state funding, last year’s negotiations continued until into winter, Codere said.

“We have some concerns still going into next year’s budget, so we wanted to make sure we were still careful in being able to account for all of our dollars,” he said. “But both sides were happy to be able to sign off and get it done.”

In other action, the board:

– approved raising school meal prices to be in compliance with federal reimbursement policies. Elementary and high school lunches rose 10 cents to $2.60 and $2.80 respectively. Breakfast rose 5 cents to $1.60.

– approved the student handbook for the high school building (grades 6-12) and elementary school building (K-5). Changes include removing a COVID-19 addendum and replacing it with a reminder to stay home when sick.

– approved the middle/high school master schedule.

– accepted the milk bid from Jilbert Dairy of Marquette to provide milk for the 2021-22 school year.

– accepted the letter of resignation from Tom Gill from his position as bus driver/custodian.

– accepted the letter of resignation from Michael Funke from his position as bus driver/custodian.

– hired Anderson, Tackman & Co. from Iron Mountain as school auditing firm.

– accepted the letter of resignation of Tina Jeffrey from her position as food service worker.

– accepted the letter of resignation from Alan Drew from his position as junior high football coach and eighth–grade boys basketball coach.

– Approved hiring Cheryl DeLong as K-12 band/music teacher for the 2021-22 school year.

– Approved hiring Samantha Hoekstra as part-time foreign language teacher for the 2021-22 school year.