By John Speer

Editor

jspeer@tamatoledonews.com

With a spending hike of 9% over the re-estimated 2019-20 budget the South Tama School District budget totals $24,429,143 for the fiscal year beginning July 1. It was approved on a 5-0 voice vote of the school board which met in an electronic “Google Hangout” session.

The session was conducted via the internet due to responsibility to COVID-19 guidelines. Board members President Penny Tyynismaa, Mandy Lekin, Alan Klein and Ron Houghton along with Superintendent Jared Smith took part through the electronic method.

Board member Clint Werner and Mary Boege, board secretary and business manager, met for the session at the gym at the South Tama Partnership Center where the public was also offered an opportunity to attend within the COVID19 guidelines. No one did so.

Anyone with access can obtain the Google Hangout address to take part. It can be found at the top of the school board agendas posted on the STC schools website under the Board of Education category. At times Monday night, up to 14 persons “sat in” on the session according to the online meeting visual.s

No Raise In Property Tax Levy

Just as in the current the property tax asking set at $15.36 remained the same. In the 2018-19 budget it was down 79 cents per $1,000.

Instruction costs rose from $12,687,900 to $13,325,445 in the budget proposal, a 5% increase. Other increases include student transportation up from 938,698 to $1,343,693, a boost of 43%. Planned purchase of three new buses, vans and maintenance costs are the reason for the increase Mary Boege, STC business manager told The News-Herald earlier.

She also said the purchase of computers and equipment are boosting student support services up from $732,874 to $1,062,189. School administration cost is up slightly from $1,233,539 to $1,295,216 and plant operation and maintenance is up to $1,794,590 from the current $1,692,373.

There is a rise in business and central administration from the current $499,394 to $524,311. Instructional staff support services are set at $1,019,029 up from the current $984,789.

The board also approved a resolution authorizing the redemption of general obligation school refunding bonds. It is a financial measure which allows the district to take advantage of lower interest rates and pay the elementary sxhool bonds off more quickly.

Personnel

A 2.9% salary hike was approved by the board on a 5-0 voice both for administration and classified staff positions. It was noted the raises matched the certified staff raise and it has been customary for the pay increases to mathc percentages.

Transfers approved Monday night were: Laurie Baack from elementary special education teacher to TLC coach; Samantha Boldt Boldt, DW certified substitute to 3rd grade teacher; and Jawny Thompson, 1st grade teacher – additional section to 3rd grade teacher.

The resignation of Morgan Ives, 3rd grade teacher, was accepted.

In other business Monday the board:

approved 3rd reading and adopted Board Police 1000 series.

approved a South Tama School District COVID-19 Supplemental Policy to coincide with the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

extended the contract with Cory Hall Photography for two additional years.