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Supt. Mark Schneider pointed out that the projected certified salaries, including benefits, would increase from $4,415,051 to $4,512,240, a hike of $97,189.
Supt. Schneider also pointed out that the non-certified staff such as custodians, secretaries, associates, library secretary, transportation and food service received an average of six cents an hour pay hike or 2.2% for a total increase of $36,960 to a total of $1,728,183 including benefits.
Since there was only $69,000 in new money available, a total of $100,000 had to be found to fund these pay increases, Schneider told the board. He thanked the staff and principals for working with him to find solutions to find $104,000 in budget adjustments to fund the increases.
Schneider said he estimated that the district would save about $51,000 in difference in salaries between long time employees who retired and their replacements. He noted this includes hiring staff for every position the district currently has open including instrumental music, media specialist, Title I, etc.
Supt. Schneider said that he was recommending that his base pay of $112,000 not be raised, however, he was expecting a pay increase as apart of the sharing arrangement with Keota School District. Under that arrangement, Schneider's pay is split so M-P pays 65% of his salary package while Keota pays 35%. Even with a pay increase for handling these extra duties, his pay will cost the M-P school district less for the next fiscal year.
He also noted that the shared agreement with Keota would allow sharing of Technology and media specialist equal to three days a week. Keota would be paying M-P $36,000 for this shared service.
There will be additional savings by changes in transportation arrangements for special events. He noted that there would be two designated drop off points, instead of shuttling students home. He suggested that the district institute fees for non-mandatory busing.
He also recommended elimination of the mail route driver and use other means to shuttle mail to the various buildings. He noted he would do the mail route one day a week to get himself into each building at least once a week.
Another potential savings will be in not hiring assistant coaches for sports until it is calculated there are enough students out to justify an assistant coach. About $20,000 could be save by allowing only one year to improve unspent balances and cash reserves.
Supt. Schneider urged that the district have a committee to study elementary structures with no hidden agendas. He said this large committee of parents, teachers, etc. would be facilitated by elementary principals Jim Cayton and Evan Parrott. He said he anticipates this would be a year long process ending with a facilities recommendation to the board that could include keeping the current three elementary attendance centers.
Additional savings will be made by cutting building budgets by $20,000 until reserves are built back up, he said. Another projected savings is delaying curriculum upgrades by at least one year, he added.
Supt. Schneider said a 28E agreement will need to be worked out with Keota for sharing the media specialist/technology support and for the business manager. He added that he would start advertising for an assistant business manager.
The board agreed with Schneider's recommendations. He noted that since they were not eliminating any teaching positions, no motion was necessary.
Certified budget
With no written or oral objectors to the at the certified budget hearing, the board voted unanimously to approve the 2009-10 fiscal certified budget which set a $18,304,207. That compares of $14,721,250 this current fiscal year and $13,437,150 last year.
Business manager Doug Schlabaugh noted that this allows the district to spend up to that amount.
He added that this calls for a property tax levy of $13.55 peer $1,000 which is up 11 cents.
The property taxes are projected at $4,398,080, up from $4,144,943 this year. Income surtax is estimated at $513,835 as compared to $350,287 this year. Other revenues include $6,599,051 in state Foundation aid, $945,500 from other local taxes including Local Option Sales Tax and $806,455 in other state sources.
Technology report
Sean Flockhart, technology director, and members of the Technology Committee gave a report on the status of technology program in the district. In addition to the use of computers, iPods, etc. in classrooms district wide, school buses have been equipped with digital cameras, one outside and three inside. The district now has 654 computers and 18 servers. He projected that number would climb to over 700 computers when upgrades are complete.
Flockhart pointed out the cameras in buses and technology upgrade in the classrooms was largely enabled by grants from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation.
Flockhart said another major improvement is a new web page for the district that features interactive calendars for various areas. Additional upgrades are planned. There are also plans for upgrading school security including electronic doors and additional cameras at entrances, etc. Teacher-related technology is also being used in all grades district wide including teaching students to do podcasts. The tech clubs are also popular with students and give them additional opportunities to implement technology. WCRF grants have also helped with fund the clubs.
One of the challenges is to keep teachers educated on technology. Supt. Schneider pointed out that there would be a non-mandatory technology in-service on Jun 3 after the end of the school year. Teacher will be paid a per diem to attend.
Other action
The board approved an easement for Kalona Cooperative Telephone Co. to lay a fiber optic cable near the Middle School parking lot. The board approved the changes in Board Policy 404. ` on work rules.
New employees approved were Beth Fiordelise for one year at $19,112 to replace Wendy Allen who was being paid $50,947. Allen is taking a leave of absence.
Principal reports
Wellman elementary principal reported that the kindergarten round up had 40 to 42 incoming students at Kalona Elementary and 38 to 440 at Wellman Elementary.
