Posted: 6/26/07
Operating referendum in final year; school board considers another
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
The five year operating referendum approved by voters in 2002 is now in its final year, and the ISD#299 school board is now planning to bring another to the voters.
Superintendent Michael Moriarty displayed a brochure that was used in the last referendum election, which took place prior to him becoming superintendent. He said that if the board decides to go to the public with another referendum, a similar piece should be produced. There were also a number of public hearings held to provide information to voters.
"There is no question in my mind that we need to do this," said board member Charlie Wray. "We need to bring a positive message to the voters."
To maintain programs at their current levels, the district would need to raise $711,000 through an operating referendum. Of that amount, $386,000 would be levied on the taxpayers and $346,000 would come from state aid. That aid would only come into the district if voters approve a referendum.
According to Moriarty, the issue would have to come before the voters in the general election day, which is November 6. Paper ballots will be allowed.
The board agreed to speak with volunteers who worked on the referendum last time to get input on waging a public information campaign.
2007-2007 Budget adopted
Moriarty went over the budget for the 2007-2008 school year. The district expects $10,081,000 in revenue and will spend $9,913,356 for a projected fund balance of $167,644. Moriarty noted that the teachersí contract has not yet been settled. The districtís goal is to have an eight percent fund balance, which is achieved with this budget. The district earns interest on this amount, and the interest goes into the general fund, he explained.
Moriarty said that the legislature "front loaded" its increase in funding for education so that it shows up this year, but there will be problems balancing the budget the following year.
This year, the district received an increase of $345,000, but there will be 30 fewer students in the district, which translates a decrease in per pupil aid of $185,000.
Contract approved with
special ed district
In other business, the board approved a contract with Hiawatha Valley Education District (HVED) to provide a special educational services to the district at a cost of $51,000. Moriarty explained the HVED makes sure that all applicable laws are being followed, and provides services that are required by law. The district could not afford to hire personnel to provide those same services, he said.
The board approved the contract.
Lunch prices to increase
The school board also approved an increase of five cents in the price of school lunch. The new price is $1.80 for students in grades K-5; $1.90 for students in grades 6-12 and $2 for adults.
On a related matter, school board member Michelle Werner suggested that the schools notify parents earlier when the lunch accounts for their children are depleted. Currently, students are not allowed to eat hot lunch if their balances are in the negative by $5. In the elementary school, students who go below that amount are given a peanut butter sandwich and a carton of milk.
Werner suggested that the parents be notified when the accounts are down to $5. The board agreed to make that change.
It was noted that balances are also posted online.
Garage will go
The board gave its approval to taking down a "junk" garage on district property.
"Itís a hazard to the district and needs to be taken down and the junk hauled away," said Moriarty.
The board also agreed to solict quotes on a seven-passenger mini-van.
Personnel matters
The board approved placing the following members of the suppport staff on unrequested leave: Nora Bengston, Pamela Fahy, and Brenda Lay.
A maternity leave was approved for Courtney Novak.
Contracts for Cindy Coleran, Barb Meyer, Karen Schiltz and Carol Schiltz, Evan Thimmesch, and Bill Wooley, were approved.
The board approved the resignation of Nancy Runningen from the position of FCCLA advisor. Sally Mensink will resume that role this fall. Mensink was recalled to teaching to fill in for a medical leave being taken by Eileen Beach.
The board was also notified that Kay Dahle has accepted the position of middle/high school counselor. She replaces Jeannine Hisel, who resigned.
Dahle was most recently a principal in the Mabel-Canton district.
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