(Audubon, Iowa) – Members of the Audubon School Board, Monday evening, received an opening proposal for negotiations from the Audubon Education Association, representing the Teacher’s Union. Superintendent Eric Trager says a special meeting will be held Monday morning to give the District’s proposal to the Teachers. He said they also approved an agreement for the administration of an early retirement HRA.

The Audubon School Board set March 21^st during their regular meeting as the date for a Public Hearing on the District Calendar. Mr. Trager said also, the Board approved some new hires.

Trager expressed his frustration in not being able to find teachers for certain positions, such as math.

He pointed to bills in the Iowa Legislature as one reason people are turned-off to the idea of becoming a teacher.

On the bright side, the legislature and governor approved a 2.5% increase in State Aid to Schools, which means an additional $215,000 in new money for the Audubon School District, thanks also to an increase in enrollment of about 20 students. Last year, the District went on a Budget Guarantee due to a decrease in enrollment.