The Perry Community School District Board of Education met in regular session last night.
At the meeting, Teaching and Learning Director Kevin Videgar gave an update on the Iowa Core. The future of the curriculum are questionable as there is legislation proposed that would change the standards and the way they are implemented. Teachers in the district set goals that meet or exceed the Iowa Core standards, though it doesn’t lay out guidelines in every subject area.
Superintendent Lynn Ubben then spoke about the education bills that have made it through the first funnel in the legislature. She says the state supplemental aid amount for 2016 was supposed to be set three weeks ago and so far lawmakers have not yet agreed upon that amount. Ubben also mentioned the low income student supplement funding, money for students that could be used for after school programs, summer school programs tutoring etc.
Next, Ubben and business manager Kent Bultman reviewed the proposed 2015 district budget. The district has based the budget on a 4% allowable growth rate, though that has not yet been confirmed at the capital. Property taxes in Perry are expected to provide 3.9 million dollars during the next fiscal year, with the other funds coming from the state. Property valuation in the district went down approximately $6 million this year, meaning the district will rely more on state aid. The board will hold a work session to discuss needed facility projects on Wednesday, March 26th at 5:30pm at the elementary school. A public hearing to review the budget has been set for April 7th at 6:30pm in the Brady Library at Perry High School.
Activities Director Tom Lipovac then presented the board with an agreement between the school and Atlantic Bottling Company. Lipovac says this agreement has helped purchase scoreboards, batting cages, wrestling mats and other equipment in the past, along with providing products for various special events throughout the year in exchange for the district using only their products. He says such agreements between school districts and bottling companies are becoming rare though the history between Perry and Atlantic is positive and they have offered an extension. After approving the agreement, the district will receive $25,000 from the bottling company along with the other benefits.
A budget guarantee resolution was then approved stating that the district will levy property tax for the upcoming fiscal year as needed for budget adjustments.
Teacher T.J. Maylum then reviewed the Grow-School Garden Greenhouse project for the board. Maylum says the goal of the project is to provide skill building opportunities for students with disabilities, while providing organic produce to those in the area who might not have access to it otherwise. So far Maylum and his wife have raised over $5,000 for the project and it’s not expected to cost the district any money. The board approved the project, allowing them to use school property for both a garden and a portable greenhouse.
Personnel changes were then approved with Marc Schalkowski coming on as the middle school PE teacher and current student teacher Brandon Weeks being hired as the high school instrumental music teacher.
Board policies were then approved in regards to maintenance schedule, request for improvements, emergency repairs, capital assets, vandalism and succession of authority to the superintendent.
Angelica Isley’s early graduation request was approved by the board, providing she passes her current classes and the board approved an agreement with the Iowa Department of Human Services in regards to medical reimbursement. Finally, the board went into a closed session to hold a negotiations strategy session.
For more on the meeting and things happening in the Perry School District, tune into today’s Let’s Talk Dallas County when we speak with Superintendent Lynn Ubben during the 9am, noon and 5pm hours on AM 1310 KDLS.