Board Meeting Summary 3/9/09
Regular Meeting
The Red Oak Board of Directors met for their regular meeting at 6 pm with all directors in attendance. Highlighted action of this meeting included a formal adoption of budget reduction items for the next fiscal year; a preliminary review of the projected school budget for FY 10; an update on current fiscal problems facing the district; and other planning items for the 2009 – 10 school year.
Directors Welcome Guests
The Red Oak Directors welcomed several members of the Middle School Science Club and Sponsor Mrs. Barb Sims. The Science Club presented a request to have a club trip for two days to the Springbrook Department of Natural Resources Camp on March 27 and 28. The cost for the trip to be borne by contributions and money raised by the club members. The Directors unanimously approved the overnight trip and affirmed the students and sponsor for a well-planned activity.
School Calendar Given Tentative Approval
School Calendar Committee Chairman Michael Eldridge presented the recommended school calendar for the 2009 – 2010 school year. It very similarly reflects the current calendar in place. Highlights of the calendar include:
- August 6 – Registration Day
- August 13 – All teachers report
- August 18 – First day of school
- September 8 – Annual School Elections
- October 2 – Homecoming
- November 26 & 27 – Thanksgiving Break
- December 21 to January 1 – Winter Holiday Vacation
- March 15 – 19 – Spring Break
- May 23 – High School Commencement
- May 24 – Last day of school
Consent Agenda
The board approved in one motion the following items:
- Minutes from the February 23 regular meeting
- Payment journals as provided by the business manager
- Routine monthly business reports
- Open enrollment requests for the 2009 – 2010 school year which included six students open enrolled to Red Oak; one student open enrolled to Lewis-Central; one student open enrolled to Stanton; and four students open enrolled to Fremont-Mills
- Approval for a cooperative swim program in 2009 – 2010 with the Lewis-Central school district
Personnel Considerations
The Directors approved the following resignations effective at the close of the current school term:
- Amy Larson – paraeducator at Red Oak High
- Tracy White – cheerleader sponsor for Red Oak High football and basketball
- Suzanne Smith - Red Oak High volleyball head coach and assistant girls’ basketball coach
Budget Expenditure Reductions for FY 10 – Final Approval
Supt. Terry Schmidt provided for the board updated dollar amounts for proposed budget reductions in the next fiscal year. The greatest amount of the reductions will originate in the personnel costs through the retirements of three teaches, one school nurse, and the transportation director. Due to a decline in the numbers of students to be served in special education, a reduction of four paraeducators can be made – preferably through attrition where possible. Other personnel costs reductions will be seen in overtime hours for support staff, reduction of extra days worked, and in limited reductions of supplemental contracts where possible. A summary of approved budget reductions shows:
- Retirements of professional staff $197,262
- Position savings with the school nurse position $ 10,000
- Eliminate one part-time food service position $ 4,000
- Eliminate one part-time custodial position $ 13,000
- Position savings with a shared grant $ 6,000
- Transportation department savings $ 40,000
- Reduction of special education personnel and job changes $ 51,000
- Eliminate non-emergency overtime $ 20,000
- Reduction of extra work days by non-teaching staff $ 5,000
- Reduction of four paraeducator positions $ 73,277
- Two-year phase in of textbook adoption – savings $ 35,000
- Reduction of general fund spending for technology $ 30,000
- Reduction of supplemental contracts $ 5,000
- Re-assign general fund costs for food service $ 9,179
- Cost savings for a shared transportation director $ 6,000
Total budget reductions approved $504,718
District Developed Special Education Delivery Plan
Special Education Coordinator Monica Crouch reviewed new requirements to revise the delivery of special education services in the Red Oak Community School District. She asked and received affirmation from the Directors to proceed with the revision process. Coordinator Crouch also recommended (and the Directors approved) the following persons to a Development Committee:
Amy Liddell, parent
Jennifer Frazee, parent
Doug Barry, administrator
Rebecca Sterbick, general education teacher
Rhoda Sorensen, special education teacher
Kay Soden, general education teacher
Leanne Fluckey, special education teacher
Kay Willey, general education teacher
Gayle Allensworth, special education teacher
Monica Crouch, special education coordinator
Kellie Peterson, AEA14 representative
Red Oak High School Program Initiatives for the 2009 – 2010 School Year
ROHS Principal Jedd Sherman provided an update for numerous initiatives planned for the next school year including: course development for college credit classes offered during the regular school daily schedule; a program exploration in graphics printing; and planned communication tools for graded weighting in the 2009 – 10 school year.
School District Finances Review FY 10 and School Budget Preliminary Planning
School Business Manager Shirley Maxwell provided a comprehensive review of school district finances. The business manager reported the district is expending its budget authority at a faster rate than average for this time of year. Amending the budget to ensure compliance with Iowa Code will take place at the March 30 board meeting. The cash position of the school district is lower than projected when the current budget was developed one year ago. As a result, the Business Manager requested and the Board approved, authorization to transfer needed funds to ensure adequate cash flow for the remaining months. The mid-year loss of State funding in the amount of $87,787 has created additional budget stress. The low cash position for the school district will require additional budget adjustments for the new fiscal year that begins July 1. Anticipating and understanding the financial difficulties, the Directors took action several weeks ago to increase the Instructional Support Levy (ISL) from the current 6% to the maximum of 10% in the next budget year. The business manager emphasized the importance of providing additional revenues coupled with expenditure reductions of $500,000 in order to begin building a more sound financial foundation.
The new proposed budget for the Fiscal Year 2010 allows minimal growth in new available dollars since Red Oak experienced a significant enrollment drop last February. The school district will be required to seek as much budget authority as feasible in its efforts to regain fiscal soundness. School Business Manager Shirley Maxwell provided a tentative school budget estimate that will be presented for approval at a public hearing on Monday, March 30. The proposed budget will require a tax levy of $16.20 per thousand of taxable value of property.
Shared Management Positions: Planning, Update, and Future Course
The Directors received an update regarding possible shared positions with neighboring school districts for the 2009 – 2010 school year. Positions continuing to be discussed include Transportation Director, Business Manager, and Human Resources. No recommendations are ready for approval at this time.
Closed Session
The Board of Directors conducted a fifteen minute closed session with the superintendent. Following the closed session, no formal action was taken
Superintendent’s Report
The board reviewed communications from each school and from department directors.
Next Meeting
The next meeting for the Red Oak Board of Directors will take place on Monday, March 30, 2009. A public hearing on the proposed 2009 – 2010 school budget will take place at 6 pm. A public hearing on the proposed school calendar will take place at 6:30 pm. The Directors’ meeting will be held at the Sue Wagaman Board Room, Webster Central Office, 904 Broad Street, Red Oak.