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Money and the future draw on board's energy
March 16, 2010

What might help - and what might hinder - passage of a school bond referendum in September weighed on the minds of Montezuma Board of Education members and administrators at their March meeting on Tuesday evening.

After discussion, board members came out against the idea of hiring a construction manager for the project, should it be approved by voters.

The pared down Master Facility Plan, amended last month by the board, calls for a remodeling of the school that could cost an estimated $18 million. The district's bonding capacity is $15.26 million.

Superintendent Dave Versteeg told the board that a construction manager's job is to try to hold the line on costs and to add value to work that is done.

But, "if you want to put Montezuma people to work, you're probably better off going with a general contractor than with a manager," Versteeg said. "In some communities, people don't really understand the construction manager concept. It seems to them that hiring a manager would be an added cost."

"I don't want to give people reasons to vote, 'no,'" Versteeg said.

"I don't think we need one (a construction manager)," board member Vince Johnson said

The board also opted not to make cuts in the amended plan at this time.

"Construction firms are eager for work," Versteeg said. "If the project's actual costs come in at or under $15.2 million, we can handle it. So, there's no reason to make it a $15 million project right now. It might come in at $12 million. We can fix the budget after we know the real costs. Let's not sell ourselves short."

The board agreed with the superintendent.

"We have held the line," said Vince Johnson. "But if you look at the building, you can see why. We haven't kept up."

"I think people in our community see the need and want to do something," Versteeg said. "But they do question the cost."

It also was pointed out that the board has authority to raise two levies to maximum levels in order to bring in the needed funding for the project. But Versteeg said he thinks increasing two levies at once, "might be too much."

Versteeg said 67 percent of the voters in the referendum will need to vote yes for the issue to pass.

Tax asking expected to increase

In other business, the board heard a budget presentation for fiscal year 2011, and it will ask for a tax increase. The proposed rate on property taxes would go to $11.17 per $1,000 assessed valuation, a raise of 49 cents per $1,000. "It's not foo far out of line with our past history," Versteeg said, noting that the district decreased the rate a year ago because of having added territory and assessed valuation. He said most districts will be asking for increases of from 25 to 50 cents and he said one nearby district plans to ask for a $1.50 increase.

Tuesday's session was not without its lighter moments. The board decided on the color scheme for the district's new bus barn. Versteeg passed around a color chart, saying, "I want an answer from you guys tonight. You can't take this home and ask your wives."

The barn will will be brownstone, with a bronze trim.

Montezuma was an attractive enough locale to attract 200 applicants for three elementary school teaching positions.

The board hired:

   - Elizabeth Orr for teach high school social studies;

   - Heather Shives to teach first grade and be head cross country coach;

   - Josh Anderson to teach sixth grade.

Also hired was Stew Timm to coach junior high girls track this spring. Timm served as assistant girls basketball coach this winter.

The board approved the resignations of Michael Sherwood as a part-time talented and gifted teacher and Ryan Van Veen from the assistant boys basketball position.

The board heard a report from teachers Cathe Wilson and Carrie Weber about a project shared by the English and science departments in which 44 sophomores studied about various diseases and ailments. Student Brynna Steele gave a Power Point presentation to demonstrate the finished product. The project went from Jan. 28 through March 3.

In the area of "good news," Versteeg reported that the district received $15,000 from the estate of the late Mildred Corey. The money is to be used for scholarships. School officials were not familiar with her and are trying to find out what her connection to the school was.

Versteeg reported that the district's drop-out rate in 2008-2009 was two students, or 1.16 percent. "That's below the statewide average of 3.15 percent," the superintendent said. "But even one student is too many."

Versteeg said the the Poweshiek Leadership Program operated by the ISU Extension will be donating money to the Montezuma Dollars for Scholars endowment.

He also noted that former Bravette basketball player Janel (Grimm) Burgess was recently inducted into the Iowa girls union's hall of fame and that the 1990 state champion Braves were introduced at halftime of the Class 1A state title game on Friday at Wells Fargo Arena.

The board approved the first reading of a policy that puts the financial goals of the district into writing. "Basically, unspent balance is king and cash is queen," Versteeg said. "When we add allowable growth as the opportunities come up, it gives the district more spending authority, if it's needed. It's not the same as cash, but it means we can go get cash if we need it. If you just have cash, when you're out, you're out."

The board re-adopted the same four academic goals for the district for next year as are in place currently.

The board set April 7 at 6:30 p.m. for a special meeting regarding the certified budget. The meeting will be in the high school library and will be open to the public.

In other fiscal matters, the board:

   - Resolved to consider continued participation in the Instructional Support Program. In fiscal 2010-11, the ISP will generate $254,133 from income sur tax and $20,985 from property tax. It's a five-year levy and the board also will hold a public hearing about this on April 7, right after the certified budget hearing.

   - Resolved to levy property tax for fiscal 2010-11 for the regular program budget adjustment as allowed by Iowa law. A total of $45,584 is involved, and it gives the district a 101 percent budget guarantee due to a loss in enrollment.

Versteeg said 526 students are enrolled in the district this year and that 520 are projected for next year. He reminded board members that each student is worth about $5,800 in revenue from the state.

Board members reported on phone calls they have made with families who reside in the district but have open enrolled their children elsewhere. The board members said no one complained about the district or its programs or administrators, but said childcare concerns were the main reason. It also was noted that at least one high school student from a contacted family has opted to enroll at Montezuma next year.

The board voted to keep the driver's education fee at $225.

Bills paid included $4,004.47 to Septagon Constructon for February invoices and $2,754 to Shive-Hattery, also for February invoices.

Fewer bus routes in the offing

There likely will be fewer bus routes next year. Versteeg said 267 of the district's students are eligible for ride the bus, but that just 86 do. "We tend to have fewer riders in the afternoon because of activities," he said. "We need to keep the bus routes to 60 minutes of less." Versteeg will bring more specific route changes before the board next month. He also noted it costs the district between $3.50 and $4.00 a mile to operate the buses.

Elementary principal Darin Jones said several programs have been building relatonships with the community. He called results of the recent Literary Week, "outstanding. We had Marcus McIntosh from KCCI here as a mystery reader, and Montezuma Elementary appeared on Channel 8 on Tuesday as a result."

High school and junior high principal Brian Moretz said that teacher learning groups are "getting our staffers to think about school while they're not at school," he said. He also noted that an increasing number of teachers are developing welcome pages on the school's website. "That's an important tool," he said, "when people from outside the community are considering whether to come here."

Moretz said there are 21 students out for golf, 23 out for boys track and 13 for girls track. Add that to 20-plus in shooting sports and 45 to 50 out for track in junior high, "and it means a lot of our kids are involved in activities," he said.

Montezuma, like most district's in the state, is a member of the Iowa Association of School Boards, which has been rocked by charges of fiscal mis-management. "We pay $1,800 a year to be in," Versteeg said. "We could opt out - now might not be the best time to have them advocating for us to the state legislature."

"On the other hand," Versteeg said, "they do some good things."

The district's contract runs through July and no action was taken.

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