South Clay dissolution process outlined for Spencer board

As they look to dissolve their school district following the upcoming year, South Clay Community School District patrons have two primary factors to weigh. Those questions currently being placed before them include: Which of six contiguous districts would they most prefer their children to attend classes, and which district would they want their property and assets to transfer to.

In a report delivered to Spencer school board members Tuesday night detailing his school district's planned dissolution, South Clay Superintendent Dave Schulz reported that the Clay County school district is one of five or six in Iowa to have entered the district dissolution process outlined by current Department of Education guidelines. Schulz also reported that South Clay dissolution commission committee members -- who include Barry Anderson, Joe Hoffman, Gary Johnson, Jim Wischmeyer, Marcia Langner, Mary Jo Smith and Amy Burkhart -- are delivering similar messages to Sioux Central, Ruthven-Ayrshire, Clay Central-Everly, Laurens-Marathon and Terril school board members, as well as answering every district patron's questions.

"As a neighboring district, Spencer stands to gain some territory in terms of real estate property and students," Schulz said. "We need to know if you're willing to accept these properties or territories as we go through this process."

"In the division of assets and liabilities, we at South Clay are taking responsibility for our building until it sells," Schulz also told Spencer board members. "So, whoever gains control of property in Gillett Grove will not have to worry about the building. The building is going to be taken care of by the school board or the district. That won't be the responsibility of a district that's gaining that territory."

As South Clay committee members currently work to redraw their district's property lines, the six neighboring schools have been asked to provide one-page letters describing their districts. The information requested,some of which is shown below, is anticipated to be mailed in a newsletter format to South Clay residents beginning next week.

"And no recruiting is allowed," Schulz advised the board. "It's a sensitive issue already for our district, so we ask that no outsiders come in."

"We're not looking to meddle in any way," board president David Schlichtemeier said. "But if there were something to do, whatever way we could help we'd be happy to do it."

Meanwhile, as South Clay dissolution committee members attempt to redraw the district's property lines through input received from district patrons, public hearings on a proposed map have been scheduled for Aug. 10-12 in the towns of Webb, Gillett Grove and Dickens. Feedback received during each hearing will be reviewed and new lines will possibly be drawn.

The seven committee members are then scheduled to offer a formal recommendation to South Clay school board members on Oct. 19. Surrounding districts would have the opportunity to review the recommendation and file any objections they may have with it within 10 days.

The matter is tentatively scheduled to go before South Clay patrons on Feb. 2, 2010, in a public vote. If not enough "yes" votes are received, lines would either have to be redrawn again and another vote held or the Department of Education and Area Education Agency would be called in to do so.

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Comparison of Fiscal Year '10 Tax Rates

Amounts listed are dollars levied per $1,000 valuation.