Money topics top at school board
Money matters were among the items on the minds of the Staples-Motley School Board members at their Sept. 19 meeting.
As has been their custom and on the recommendation of Marci Lord, district business manager, the board approved their proposed tax levy at an 11.82 percent increase, the maximum amount allowed.
The state requires a preliminary levy to be submitted by the end of September each year. After that time the levy can be lowered, but it cannot be increased, Lord said.
Superintendent Mary Klamm noted that it is getting more difficult to make adjustments to the budget and levy because of state funding requirements. If the district under levies, it runs the risk of losing state aid in certain areas.
The district’s finance committee will meet once or twice in the next couple of months to review the budget and the areas that are levied at the board’s discretion. Those include reemployment, QComp, safe schools, other post employment benefits, long term facilities maintenance, leases, debt payments, youth service, after school enrichment, Early Childhood Family Education and home visits.
The board has agreed not to levy for school-age childcare, health and safety and leases for the community center and the golf course in exchange for a referendum that was passed a few years ago.
The final decision on the tax levy will be made at the Truth in Taxation Hearing Dec. 19.
Roy DiGiovanni questioned the 2016-17 Staples Community Center rental agreement noting that the dollar amount has increased quite a bit over the last two years.
Klamm said it is based on the number of hours each area is used. Separate hourly rates are calculated for the gym, the fitness center and the swimming pool. The amount of $84,251.49 is based on last year’s usage.
High school principal Mike Schmidt said that since the community center installed their new gym floor the district has been using it more for basketball. This allows teams to practice on a full court rather than having to share a court with another team. The demand is high for all of the district’s gym space.
He also noted more demand for the pool which is the most expensive part of the contract.
Chad Longbella asked about offering swimming for elementary students and Kathy Johnson, Staples-Motley Elementary principal, replied that third graders will begin that class in November after the elementary physical education teacher completes the life guarding class.
The board and administration agreed to study the community center’s usage over this school year to see if economies could be made in any area.
Bryan Winkels noted another couple of money matters taking a turn for the better. Those were the reductions in the amounts of the bill write-offs and the transfers to the community service fund for Little Cardinals Academy.
In other business the board:
o Approved contracts with National Joint Powers Alliance and J & J Solutions for public relations and communications services and with Lakewood Health System for EMS services at home games.
o Agreed to purchase services from Northern Pines for child and family counseling services in the school.
o Approved contracts for Deb Eagletail, Melissa Wright, Kimberly Berggren, Dale Stoll, Kathy Robben, Robert Larson, Justin Genosky and Becky Templin as paraprofessionals.
o Accepted the resignation of Steve Hoemberg as choral director. Hoemberg’s resignation letter noted concerns about decisions that would affect the choral music program and indications that he felt he was no longer a “good fit” at the district. Bruce Lund said “Steve has done a great job in the district and I’ve appreciated that. I’m sure everyone feels that way.”
o Accepted the resignation of Huck Holst as ticket gate manager
o Approved the following coaching/advisor assignments: John Regan, speech; Chris Trout and Shelly Miller, concessions managers; and Darla Davis, ticket gate manager.
o Approved an extended field trip request from the music department for a tour March 13-17, 2017, to Washington, DC, with the comment that there is no school that week for spring break.
o Noted the board will tour the school buildings Sept. 28.
o Noted in the superintendent’s report that the evacuation drill originally scheduled for Sept. 23 was cancelled. Klamm said they will still have fire drills and lock downs, but will evaluate the evacuation processes and consider different scenarios.
