Mill levy to increase by more than 2 mills
Staff writer
The Unified School District 410 regular board of education meeting was held at 7 p.m. Monday evening in the technology center at Hillsboro High School.
The board approved the 2004-05 budget by a narrow margin. They voted four to three in favor of the budget that was published last month. It will increase the total mill levy for 2004-05 by 2.123 mills. Even with the increase in the mill levy, the district will still see a decrease in operating revenue.
"Declining enrollment and no increase in state spending on education for the last three years have made things get tighter and tighter," said Gordon Mohn, superintendent of schools.
The board also plans to look hard at programs, employees, and other ways to cut expenses due to another expected decrease in operating revenue for next year as well.
"We need to be in the mindset of an aggressive and lean company and look at programs as do they add value to our students," said board member Rod Koons.
According to the published board agenda, a residence with an assessed value of $100,000 would see a tax increase of $21.55 a year, a business with an assessed value of $200,000 would see a tax increase of $127.38 a year, and farm land with an assessed value of $80,000 would see a tax increase of $50.95 per year.
The assessed value of a property is lower than the appraised value according to the Marion County Appraisers office. For a residence or a farm home site the assessed value is 11 percent of the appraised value. Agricultural ground's assessed value is 30 percent of appraised value, agricultural improvements on agricultural ground's assessed value is 25 percent of appraised value, and a commercial property's assessed value is 25 percent of its appraised value.
In building and program reports from Evan Yoder, HES principal, and Corey Burton, HMS principal, the board was told that fourth, fifth, and sixth grades have the possibility of having more than the desired 24 students per class.
The board decided that if the numbers did increase in any of these classes over the accepted 24 students, they would call a special board meeting to decide how to handle the situation.
Teachers Maura Wiebe, Linda Peters, and Stephanie Sinclair made a presentation to the board about their experiences with the Teach to the Future program.
"I really appreciate being able to take the class," said Sinclair. "I think a lot of good things will come from it."
School handbooks were also on the board agenda. No significant changes will be found in the HES handbook.
The HMS handbook changes times for recess and lunch slightly and designates separate stairways for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders to improve flow between classes. The dress code will remain the same, but students will be able to earn the right to wear shorts earlier by lowering the number of dress code infractions that are sent to the office.
The HHS handbook will have two changes. The new handbook makes the first reference to in-school suspension, and a student must be at school by 10 a.m. in order to participate in extra curricular activities.
"We're really looking at kids who are ill or unexcused," said Dale Honeck, HHS principal. "Mostly it's the kids who sleep in."
In reference to any changes in the transportation handbook, Mohn said that the district was planning to put a shelter for kids waiting for the bus at Lehigh.
Greg Vahrenbert of Piper Jeffray spoke to the board regarding the refinancing of the HMS bonds. The board approved resolution 2004-1 to authorize the refinancing at the locked- in interest rate of 3.29 saving the district approximately $57,000 in interest over the next six years.
Classified employee contracts were approved for Carmen Hein as academic skills aide at HHS and Joan Jost as kindergarten route bus driver.
Supplemental contracts were approved for Tina King as assistant high school volleyball coach, Matt Carroll as assistant middle school football coach, Kory Unruh as assistant middle school football coach, Dan Harrison as assistant high school boys' basketball coach, Janette Brubacher as culture club sponsor, and Carmen Hein as culture club sponsor and assistant high school girls' basketball coach. Positions still open include head baseball coach and assistant coach at the high school .
The next board meeting will be held Monday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m. unless a special board meeting is called.
