FROM THE DESK OF THE SUPERINTENDENT...
April 22, 2015
MAY 2015 DISTRICT DISPATCH
At the regular school board meeting held on Monday, April 13, 2015, the Underwood Community School District Board of Directors approved the certified budget for the 2015-16 school year at a total maximum amount not to exceed $11, 249, 913. Key information shared with the school board members during the meeting included the following: (1) taxable valuation in the school district has increased from $241,237,897 to $247,976,059; (2) the general fund property tax levy rate is projected to decrease from 11.99481 to 11.51889; (3) the management fund property tax levy rate is projected to decrease from 0.78760 to 0.78637; (4) the schoolhouse fund property tax property tax levy rate will remain at 0.33000; and (5) the debt service property tax levy rate will decrease from 1.71539 to 1.68572. The grand total property tax rate is projected to be 14.32098. This is a decrease of 0.50682 from last year’s property tax rate of 14.82780. The school district’s financial condition remains healthy in spite of low levels of supplemental state aid in recent years. That has been particularly true this year with the contentious deadlock that has occurred in the Iowa Legislature. School leaders I know throughout the state are becoming very concerned about what the future holds for public school districts in Iowa. Here at Underwood, we are very conscientious about holding the line on expenditure increases and guarding against becoming overstaffed and underfunded. However, when a pattern of intentionally underfunding school districts occurs at the state level, we are put in a very tenuous financial position. We continue to make it a goal to maintain a cash balance backed by spending authority which enables us to operate for 2-3 months without having to borrow any money. Unfortunately, that is becoming increasingly difficult to do without making harmful cuts to already tight educational programming, extracurricular activities, and school district support services.
This May the Underwood Community School District is joining other school districts throughout Iowa to honor its elected school board members during Iowa School Board Recognition Month. “School Boards Strengthen Public Education” is this year’s Iowa Association of School Boards’ theme. This theme recognizes that Iowa’s volunteer school board members are providing innovative leadership through responsibilities ranging from strong financial stewardship to ensuring high-quality curriculum in order to make sure that all students are prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century. As elected leaders, they represent the citizens of the Underwood Community School District in a continuing commitment to local citizen control. Too often the efforts of school board members go unrecognized and unrewarded, so let’s take this opportunity to thank them for their service. The members of our local school board are Bill Bracker, Becky Constant, Neil Darrington, Keith Petersen, and John Rasmussen. When the opportunity presents itself, please join me in telling them “thank you” for a job well done.
Due to the need to make up some days from this past winter, the last day of classes for students will be Friday, May 22, 2015. We will have an 11:30 a.m. dismissal that day. Have a great summer!
