USD 410 board votes 4-3 to raise mill levy for budget

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN ALEEN RATZLAFF
Board members Rod Koons and Debbie Geis questioned the proposed 2.123 mill-levy increase for the 2004-05 budget at Monday evening’s Unified School District 410 Board of Education meeting.

Despite their concerns, the budget was approved 4-3.

In reference to the impact the mill-levy increase will have on the assessed value of property owned by farmers in the district, Geis said, “Maybe we should look for some more cuts before we raise taxes.”

Koons expressed concern that the board needs to “have a mindset to operate as a lean institution,” and asked whether some programs actually add value to students’ education.

“I don’t think we’ve had to cut until it hurts, yet,” Koons said, adding that he wasn’t necessarily focusing his concerns on the larger expenditures.

“It’s the small amounts that add up,” Koons said.

Building principals Evan Yoder, Corey Burton and Dale Honeck agreed that expenditures should be scrutinized.

“But I don’t see a lot of fat in our budget,” Honeck said.

Superintendent Gordon Mohn reminded the board of the cuts in certified staff that were necessary because of declining enrollment and no increase in school funding from the state legislature.

“We did cut three teachers,” Mohn said.

The impact of enrollment and the level of state funding will only increase the impact on operating revenues in the future, Mohn said.

“We’re going to be in (a budget-trimming) mode,” Mohn said.

He projected that if the district maintained the current mill levy, the board would be facing a deficit of nearly $388,800 over the next two years.

“If we adopt the published budget, I’m pretty sure we won’t have to dip into cash reserves this year,” Mohn said.

“The longer we can delay spending our cash reserves, the better.”

Board president Brent Barkman joined Geis and Koons in voting against the mill increase.

Voting in favor of the increase were members Eddie Weber, Mark Rooker, Doug Weinbrenner and Dale Klassen.

The approved budget makes full use of the district’s authorization in the local option and capital outlay funds.

“If we raise the mill levy, we need to show our public that we’ve tightened our budget,” Klassen said prior to the vote.

Even with the mill levy increase, Mohn said, the budget represents a decline in operating revenue of more than $150,000.

Regarding refinancing the bond issue for the Series 1996 General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Greg Vahrenberg of Piper Jaffray reported that the bond offering was conducted Aug. 4.

“You’re looking at almost a 2 percent reduction in the interest rate on the outstanding loans,” Vahrenberg said.

Locking in that interest rate will result in the district saving $57,500 after final repayment is made in December 2010.

The board unanimously approved a resolution that authorized the refinancing.

The principals reported current enrollment numbers, including 47 students in fourth, sixth and seventh grades. If the numbers rise above 24 students in any classroom, Mohn said he will call a special board meeting to decide about hiring additional certified staff.

“We’ve made a commitment to our public for 24 (students per classroom),” Mohn said.

In other business, the board:

n heard from teachers Maura Wiebe, Stephanie Sinclair and Linda Peters about their anticipated gained in the two-week training program for computer technology and software applications they attended this summer.

Ten teachers participated in this program designed to train teachers how to incorporate technology as a means to promote enhance teaching and promote student learning in the classroom.

The three responded affirmatively when asked by Weinbrenner whether the money for training and equipment had been well spent.

n reviewed the current facility-use policy. No changes were made.

n approved student, staff and parent handbooks and the district’s transportation handbook for the upcoming school year.

Among the changes noted were different lunch times for middle school students and a change in attendance policy for high school students who participate in extra-curricular activities. Beginning this year, students must be in school by 10 a.m. if they are going to participate in the activities held that day.

n approved issuing classified employee contracts to Carmen Hein as an academic skills aide at Hillsboro High School and Joan Jost as a kindergarten route bus driver.

n approved issuing supplemental contracts to Tina King as HHS assistant volleyball coach, Matt Carroll and Kory Unruh as HMS assistant football coaches, Dan Harrison as HHS assistant boys’ basketball coach, Janette Brubacher as Culture Club sponsor, and Carmen Hein as Culture Club sponsor and HHS assistant girls’ basketball coach.

n responded to Mohn regarding the request for a monthly financial summary report dealing with school funding, made at last month’s meeting.

n heard reports from board members Rooker and Geis about the TEEN board and Marion County Special Education Cooperative board of directors, respectively.

n heard a report from HHS site council chair Rod Hamm about the group’s ongoing work.

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