2016-17- South Tama Estimated Budget Spending Chronicle graphic

A public hearing on the proposed 2016-17 South Tama School District budget has been set by the South Tama School Board for Monday, April 11, at 5:30 p.m. in the Professional Learning Room at the South Tama Partnership Center in Tama.

The fiscal year 2017 budget shows total expenditures of $23,248,633 in spending and a total levy of $16.24 per $1,000 valuation.

This compares to 2015-16 which listed expenditures totaling $20,341,778. with a tax levy rate of $16.14 per $1,000 property valuation. The 10 cents per $1,000 increase is 6/10s of one percent.

The Facilities Acquisition and Construction category shows the biggest increase over the current year a jump of about $1.7 million reflecting the planned expense of the addition to the high school.

But that amount may drop a bit more. The Iowa Legislature has announced a compromise has been reached for school funding. It will raise revenue directed to schools 2.25 percent or a total of $88 million state-wide according to a news release from he Iowa Association of School Boards.

South Tama School Board- seated- Michelle Yuska, president and Mark McFate, vice president.. (Standing, l-r) Jackie Dvorak, Alan Kline and Penny Tyynismaa. -South Tama Schools photo

Mary Boege, South Tama business manager, told The Chronicle, “If the Governor signs the bill it will decrease our tax rate from what we are publishing. We are publishing at the worse case scenario. If we get the 2.25 our tax rate will decrease to $16.19 from the $16.24 (per $1,000 valuation).”

Also as a result, Superintendent Mary Jones wrote in response to a Chronicle question, “I appreciate receiving this decision much earlier this year. It helps our Board make smart decisions in compensation and allows STC the ability to hire early and the best teacher candidates.”

The school board approved publishing the estimated budget at the March 21 regular meeting.

Also before the South Tama School Board:

a meeting was scheduled with a consultant on the Iowa Juvenile Home building. The consultant did not show up so there was no discussion.

The Toledo City Council had also expected ot meet with a consultant the previous Monday night but no one appeared.

contracts approved were for Deanna Zmolek for head girls golf coach with Chelsea Ahrens, effective April, 2016. each receiving $1,471 pay; and Mariah Fritz as 9th grade softball coach, effective April, 2016, at a salary of $2914.

resignations were accepted from a Marsha Keahna as varsity girls basketball coach; and Doran as assistant varsity football coach

internal transfers include Nathan Doran from assistant varsity football coach to head football coach; Ashley Steven from 7th grade math teacher to 8th grade math; and Megan Rosenberger from 2nd grade teacher to Title 1.

The total of the bills presented for payment and approved from February 12 – March 21 came to $510,529. This consisted of General Fund $368,097, Activity Fund $27,169, Management Fund $1,667, Capital Projects $44,941, PPEL $25,478, Agency Funds $533 and Food Service $42,645.