Board discusses budget issue and approves changes to elementary science program
MEMBERS PRESENT: Regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by
President Phyllis Ahlstrand. Members present: Ahlstrand, Barsness,
Coon, Dayman, O'Hara, Romans, Thornton. Absent: None. Also present:
Dale Barber, Jim Spelhaug, Mike Clingingsmith, Don Dehner, Grant
Ericksen, Dave Langtimm, Tammy Hewitt, Sandy Klosterman, Nadine Roth,
Jenny Umland, Laura Hechtel, Jon Curtis, and Chris Harvey.
AGENDA APPROVED: Motion by Dayman, second by Thornton that the Agenda
be approved as presented. All ayes. Motion carried.
COMMUNICATIONS: Director Romans asked Dr. Barber for an update of the
State's budget problems and its impact on the District. Dr. Barber
replied that there is still talk of a 2.6% across the board budget cut
in State aid for this year. This would be on top of the earlier cut of
nearly $400,000 in State aid that was implemented last November.
A 2.6%
cut in State aid would amount to approximately another $240,000
reduction for Pleasant Valley. The district is still planning to use
cash reserves to cover the State aid cuts for the current fiscal year.
The administration is concerned about the likelihood of not having
allowable growth for next year. The District had been assured that it
would have 4.3% allowable growth for 2002-03. The legislators and the
Governor are indicating that school districts may not receive any
allowable growth or even negative allowable growth for next year. The
Administration is looking at areas of the budget to cut should this
happen.
Dr. Barber further indicated that it is essential that Board
Members, parents, and other community members contact their legislators
and the Governor to let them know that not providing school districts
with additional funding for next year will negatively impact education
in the form of cutting programs, raising class sizes, and laying off
employees.
Director Barsness encouraged the faculty and community members to be in
contact with their legislators and the Governor at the following
addresses:
Governor Thomas Vilsack and/or Lt. Governor Sally Pederson
State House
Des Moines, IA 50319 or
To reach Governor Thomas Vilsack and Lt. Governor Sally Pederson, all
e-mails go to the following address:
rose.mary.pratt@igov.state.ia.us
You must include your name and home addresses or the e-mails will not be
forwarded.
Senator Sheldon Rittmer (East of Devil's Glen Rd.)
State House
Des Moines, IA 50319 or
sheldon_rittmer@legis.state.ia.us
Senator Maggie Tinsman
State House
Des Moines, IA 50319 or
maggie_tinsman@legis.state.ia.us
Representative David Millage
State House
Des Moines, IA 50319 or
david_millage@legis.state.ia.us
Representative Clyde Bradley (East of Devil's Glen Rd.)
State House
Des Moines, IA 50319 or
clyde_bradley@legis.state.ia.us
Director Dayman added that those who send e-mails should try to identify
themselves as a member of the legislator's district in the subject line
of the e-mail along with the issue they are writing about, or write a
post card. Brief communications have a better chance of being read.
Long form letters should not be sent.
Dr. Barber congratulated the PVCHS Wrestling Team and its coaches for
having six qualifiers for the State Wrestling Meet. He pointed out that
Director Barsness' son, Cory, has qualified for the State Wrestling
Tournament all four years at PVCHS.
Dr. Spelhaug reminded the Board and community of the panel discussion
"Adolescence! Years of Wonder and Risk" being held on Wednesday,
February 27, at the PVCHS Theater from 7 - 8:30 p.m.
CONSENT AGENDA: Motion by O'Hara second by Coon that the Consent Agenda
be approved as presented. All ayes. Motion carried.
The Consent
Agenda consists of the following:
approval of the minutes of the
February 4, 2002, Regular Board meeting and Executive Session;
the
increase of Jodi Buzzell's teaching contract as a Remedial Reading
teacher at Pleasant View by .3125 to full-time for the 2002-03 school
year;
the increase of James Dennis' teaching contract as a Wellness
teacher at Riverdale Heights by .112 to a total of .7 time for the
2002-03 school year;
and the increase of Sue Johnson's teaching contract
as a Reading teacher at Riverdale Heights by .3125 to full-time for the
2002-03 school year;
the regular employment of Donna Haggerty as a food
service worker at Pleasant View Elementary School, and Jeraldine Ingalls
as a special education aide at Riverdale Heights Elementary School;
the
resignation of John Lauritsen as a bus driver;
and the probationary
employment of Susan Smith as a special education aide at Pleasant View
Elementary School;
nine open enrollment applications-four in from
Davenport for 2001-02, two in from Davenport for 2002-03, two in from
Bettendorf for 2002-03 and one out to Bettendorf for 2002-03.
EXPENSES APPROVED: Motion by Dayman, second by Romans that General Fund
warrants be issued in the total amount of $113,254.24 in payment of
invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Romans, second by Thornton that Nutrition Fund warrants be
issued in the total amount of $9,184.21 in payment of invoices
presented. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Thornton, second by O'Hara that Elementary/Junior High School
Activity Fund warrants be issued in the total amount of $1,021.07 in
payment of invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by O'Hara, second by Dayman that High School Activity Fund
warrants be issued in the total amount of $15,712.41 in payment of
invoices presented. All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Dayman, second by Barsness that Schoolhouse Fund warrants be
issued in the total amount of $26,434.50 in payment of invoices
presented. All ayes. Motion carried.
ELEMENTARY SCIENCE RECOMMENDATION: The elementary science team (Nancy
Bachus, Don Dehner, Grant Erickson, Tammy Hewitt, Laura Hechtel, Sandy
Klosterman, Dave Langtimm, Nadine Roth, and Jenny Umland) reviewed the
following two recommendations:
1) expansion of the current 4-6
program of instruction to include 3rd grade; and
2) the adoption of the
FOSS (Full Option Science System) as the curriculum resource for grades
K-2. Each grade (3-6) would be provided two 50 minute periods/week of
science instruction with the science specialist.
Motion by Coon, second by Thornton that the Board approve the changes to
the elementary science program as presented. Roll call vote. Ayes -
Coon, Dayman, O'Hara, Romans, Thornton, Ahlstrand, Barsness. Nays -
none. Motion carried.
BUDGET GUARANTEE RESOLUTION: Due to the uncertainty over what the Iowa
Legislature will set the allowable growth percentage at for 2002-03, the
administration recommended that the Board pass the budget guarantee
resolution. If the legislature were to set the allowable growth
percentage at a negative percentage for 2002-03, passage of this
resolution would ensure that the district's regular program spending
authority is not less in the 2002-03 fiscal year than it was in the
2001-02 fiscal year. If allowable growth for 2002-03 is set at 0% or
higher, the budget guarantee would not be necessary for our district.
Motion by O'Hara, second by Romans that the Board approve the budget
guarantee resolution for the 2002-03 fiscal year. Roll call vote. Ayes
- O'Hara, Romans, Thornton, Ahlstrand, Barsness, Coon, Dayman. Nays -
none. Motion carried.
TAXABLE VALUATION REPORT: Chief Financial Officer Mike Clingingsmith
shared a report showing the eleven year history of the district's
taxable valuation. This report includes the January 1, 2001, valuation
figures which we recently received from the Scott County Auditor's
office. These are the figures that will be used for property tax
calculations for the 2002-03 fiscal year.
The district's total taxable valuation decreased by $19,782,518 for the
2002-03 fiscal year primarily due to the continued phase out of
machinery and equipment (M&E) in calculating taxable valuations.
This
impacts the district significantly because of Alcoa's large amount of
machinery and equipment that is being removed from the tax rolls. The
district lost $45,306,618 in the valuation of reimbursable M&E for FY03.
The district's general fund is "held harmless" for this as the state
replaces the income that is lost due to the phase out of the M&E.
This
replacement funding from the state has been in effect since the phase
out of M&E began and will continue through the ten year period ending
June 30, 2006.
Other categories in which the district had decreases in
valuation included $3,502,969 in utilities, $111,267 in agricultural
land, $95,550 in agricultural buildings, $1,258,050 in industrial
property, $711,150 in non-reimbursable industrial machinery and
equipment and $235,218 in railroads.
The district's total taxable
valuation also decreased due to an increase of $31,711 in military
exemptions for the year.
There were, however, increases in valuation of $20,307,271 in
residential property and $11,162,744 in commercial property.
2000-01 AUDIT REPORT: Mike Clingingsmith presented the audit report
from Hunt, Kain & Associates for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001.
The auditors issued an unqualified opinion on the district's financial
statements.
The district's general fund undesignated fund balance grew
by $ 157,427 (6.8%) in the 2000-01 year. The district's liquidity ratio
was 12.94% at June 30, 2001 compared to 12.11% at June 30, 2000.
General fund revenues totaled $19,071,032 for 2000-01 and general fund
expenditures were $19,002,571 for 2000-01. Mr. Clingingsmith thanked
the central office staff and others involved in the audit for their
assistance in completing the audit. The Board congratulated Mr.
Clingingsmith and the entire business office on the receipt of another
very good audit report.
Motion by Barsness, second by Thornton that the Board accept the audit
report from Hunt, Kain & Associates for the year ended June 30, 2001.
Roll call vote. Ayes - Barsness, Coon, Dayman, O'Hara, Romans,
Thornton, Ahlstrand,. Nays - none. Motion carried.
MONTHLY FINANCIAL REPORTS: Mr. Clingingsmith presented the monthly
financial report for January. Through January, general fund receipts
totaled $10,133,497 (52.4%) and expenses totaled $10,739,829 (53.2%)
The January target for receipts and expenditures was 58.3%. He also
presented reports on the Management, PPEL, Capital Projects, Debt
Service, Hot Lunch, Revolving, and Activity funds.
Motion by Thornton, second by Dayman that the Board accept the monthly
financial reports for January as presented. All ayes. Motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.
Next Board Meeting
Monday, March 4, 2002
7:00 p.m.
Belmont Administration Center
Parents of Kindergartners (2002-03)
If your child will be in kindergarten for the 2002-2003 school year,
please contact your school by the end of January. This will assist the
school in planning for Kindergarten Roundup. Thank you!
Pleasant Valley Schools
Educational Foundation Alumni Data Base
If you are an alumnus of Pleasant Valley Community Schools, we'd like to
hear from you. We are developing an alumni data base and will make this
available for class reunions. Please let us know your address, phone
number, and year of graduation so you can be kept informed of your class
events. Call (563)332-5550 or e-mail harveychris@pleasval.k12.ia.us.
SIGN UP! for Pleasant Valley Schools Educational Foundation's ANNUAL
GOLF BENEFIT . . . Presented by Alcoa at Palmer Hills Golf Course
Monday, April 29, 2002,11:00 a.m. Shot Gun Start.
Funds raised provide PVCHS student scholarships.
Cost - $125 which includes green fees, carts, snacks, beverages, & pork
chop sandwiches at the conclusion.
Hole & Tee Sponsorships available at $100 each.
Plan to join us for an afternoon of golf while benefiting PVCHS seniors!
Contact Chris Harvey at (563)332-5550 or harveychris@pleasval.k12.ia.us
