School board acts on contract terminations, adopts 2009-10 budget

With some board discussion about changing the Instructional Support Levy (ISL) state income surtax from the current 4 percent to a 5 percent surtax rate next year, specifically with David Schlichtemeier's concerns about making such a move, the board approved a 5 percent ISL rate.

Superintendent Greg Ebeling noted that he and Sharon Slawson, the district's business manager, built a 5 percent ISL figure into the 2009-10 budget based on current job losses in the community. He also suggested a 4 percent ISL state surtax rate might generate $138,000 less in revenue than the 5 percent board-approved rate could.

Board members also adopted an amended 2008-09 budget with the following increases: $80,925 in the instruction category; $470,037 in total support services; $212,182 in noninstructional programs; and $1.14 million in the area of other expenditures.

"There are statutory guidelines. We have to not exceed those numbers as far as total expenditures in those categories," Ebeling explained. " ... Essentially, with this action, the board is saying, 'Here's what we certified last year as our limit, and here's what we're saying we want it to go to based upon changes in the state and federal money that could be put into it.' So, we want to make sure that we have the ability that if those dollars come forth in this fiscal year to include them in our general fund if we want to. Not that it would be expended necessarily, but at least that we could receive it. Because right now we don't have the statutory authority to do that."

In other budget-related action taken, on a 3-1-1 vote -- with Marti Bomgaars voting no and Ed Ver Steeg abstaining -- board members approved the 2009-10 contract termination notices delivered to eight district staff members: Michelle Ver Steeg, Deb Jepson, Sarah Riedemann, Brian Sand, Beth Lamb, Carly Prior, Teresa Goehring and Julie Finnern. The board also approved the notice of consideration of termination of Assistant Superintendent Kathy Elliott's administrative contract. Elliott has been tendered a one-year contract for 2009-10 as a curriculum director at her current salary and benefits.

Rather than acting on personnel recommendations listed in Tuesday night's consent agenda, the board chose to receive public comments on one recommended position in particular: The involuntary transfer of Becky Conley from high school special education to elementary special education in 2009-10.

Beau Hoppe, a Spencer High School graduate, indicated he received a two-year degree from Iowa Central Community College and a four-year degree from Buena Vista University.

"I believe Becky Conley needs to stay in the high school. She was like a parent to me when I was in Spencer. She made sure I did my homework for my classes and helped me study for my tests. She also helped other teachers at the high school understand my learning disability," Hoppe advocated. " ... She also made sure that I was getting the help I needed from Buena Vista. Without Becky Conley, I don't think I would have graduated from Buena Vista. I encourage you guys to have her help other students at the high school."

Travis Campbell, a 2000 SHS graduate, also expressed opinions promoting Conley's staying at SHS.

"I had what you in the industry call a behavioral problem. ... Like many others, I walked a thin line between becoming a contributing member of society or a burden. Fortunately for me, I had a one-of-a-kind mom who was willing to fight the battle at home. But not all students are that lucky. But, maybe they're lucky enough to meet someone like Mrs. Conley. ... I hope you all make the right decision and don't let her go to waste," Campbell told the board.

Spencer resident Judith Olson then asked the board why this matter was not brought forward during the recent budget reduction input committee meetings attended by members of the public.

"The reality is that this was not going to be fleshed out in the community," Ebeling said. " ... Special ed is not about the need for it or not a need for it. It is about what are reasonable ratios of teachers to students. And that's what it came down to. ... Quite frankly, we are at a ratio right now where we literally could be at no teacher associates with our teacher-pupil ratio. But, we do have teacher associates. ... With that being said, it is an administrative recommendation. People can disagree with it, but I try to look at the global piece and the administrative team (recommendations) on where people can fit. And, unfortunately, this is not a popularity contest."

In other action taken last night, board members approved an additional 10-day suspension for a Spencer Middle School seventh grade boy who scratched another student with an X-Acto knife in early March. His 10-day suspension became a 20-day suspension.

The board also adopted a new district motto and revised mission and vision statements.

In a 4-1 vote, with board president Schlichtemeier opposing, the board also approved applying for a 4-year-old voluntary preschool grant, which will be submitted to the Iowa Department of Education by March 30.

"The grant does not have a sunset," Ebeling explained. "Taxpayers will be paying for it and it's all based on weighted enrollment."

In other board discussion, Ebeling explained that the Spencer Police Department and Spencer school district will be applying for a grant to fund the position of a school resource officer in Spencer for three years. The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) is a competitive grant hiring-recovery program which provides funding directly to law enforcement agencies having primary law enforcement authority to create and preserve jobs and to increase their community policing capacity and crime-prevention efforts. Up to $1 billion in grant funding is available for the hiring and rehiring of career law enforcement officers in it. If Spencer is approved, an approximately $60,000 cost for the SRO the fourth year would be split between the city and school district.

During principal updates received by the board:

* SHS Principal Joe Mueting announced that freshman Emily Rouse has been named a level three finalist in the 2009 Letters About Literature Program. Of the 1,700 students who submitted entries in Iowa, she is one of 138 to receive this distinction.

* Mueting also announced that SHS senior Craig Cunningham will have the opportunity to participate in an international competition this summer in Houston. He was one of several SHS students who participated in the 2009 Space Settlement Design Competition held March 6-8 at Johnson Space Center in Houston.

* SMS Principal Steve Barber announced that SMS students Austin Helmink, Olivia Baxter and Michael Klemme were named finalists and Liz Welch, Caitlyn Peterson and Austin Van Wyk were named semifinalists in the 2009 Letters About Literature Program.

* Barber also announced that five SMS students were selected for several Belin-Blank Summer Institute camps this summer. They include: Josh Brausey, social studies; Jake Johnson, science; Wil Boyens, visual arts; Elizabeth Meier, global studies; and Caitlyn Peterson, creative writing.

* Spencer Elementary Principal Lucas DeWitt reported that four Spencer sixth grade teams participated in a recent math bee. Jordan Hansen, Adam Johnson, Cameron Geyer and Jesse Woock tied for first place with Algona Seton. In a tiebreaker, Algona Seton was named the winner. This Spencer team, however, did earn a berth to the state competition, which is scheduled to be held May 1 in Fort Dodge. Adam Johnson, who had the top score, was named the overall winner of the competition.

For more on the Spencer school board meeting held Tuesday, view additional coverage in Thursday's Daily Reporter.