From the Desk of the Superintendent...
April 21, 2022
MAY 2022 DISTRICT DISPATCH
At the regular school board meeting held on Monday, April 11, 2022, the Underwood Community School District Board of Directors approved the certified budget for the 2022-23 school year at a total maximum amount not to exceed $13,049,176. Key information shared with the school board members included the following: (1) taxable valuation in the school district has increased from $290,534,241 to $302,240,052; (2) the general fund property tax levy rate is projected to increase from 11.42332 to 11.75766; (3) the management fund property tax levy rate is projected to decrease from 1.03528 to 0.99259; (4) the schoolhouse property tax levy rate will remain at 0.33000; and (5) the debt service property tax levy rate will decrease from 1.43527 to 1.39621. The grand total property tax levy rate is projected to be 14.47646. This is an increase of 0.25529 from last year’s grand total property tax levy rate of 14.22117. The school district’s financial condition remains healthy in spite of low levels of state supplemental aid in recent years. In order to maintain the school district’s healthy financial condition, efforts must be made to limit expenditure increases and guard against becoming overstaffed and underfunded. Our goal is to maintain a cash balance backed by spending authority which enables us to operate for two or three months without having to borrow any money.
The Underwood Community School District is joining the other 326 school districts in Iowa to honor its elected school board members during Iowa School Board Recognition Month throughout the month of May. “Launching Iowa’s Next Generation” 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 Jeff Bonsall, Matt Brummett, Erin Johnsen, Rick Larson, and Teresa Mace. When the opportunity presents itself, please join me in telling them “thank you” for a job well done.
With my effective retirement date of June 30, 2022, approaching, I want to take this opportunity to say “thank you” for the privilege and honor of serving the Underwood Community School District as the superintendent of schools for the past 28 years. I especially want to thank the members of my family, conscientious school board members, and dedicated professional colleagues for their support and guidance over the years. Our new superintendent, Mr. Andy Irwin, will begin his duties on July 1, 2022. I will be assisting him, as needed, during the month of July in order to help ensure a smooth transition into the 2022-23 school year.
Please note that due to the need to make up days missed previously during this school year, the last day of classes for students will be Friday, May 20, 2022. We will have an 11:30 a.m. dismissal that day. Have a great summer!
