Survey: Many would favor LOB mill levy increase
Results of a USD 410 survey show that many Hillsboro residents would favor raising the local option budget mill levy in order to raise more money for schools.
The results were presented to the Durham-Hillsboro-Lehigh board of education Monday night at their regular monthly meeting. The responses come from surveys distributed at two public meetings held last week to discuss the district's financial woes as it eyes the 2003-04 school year budget.
According to district estimates, the USD 410 budget could be down by as much as $300,000 as it heads into the next school year. The money could come from a variety of sources, from raising fees to cutting teachers.
Eighty-eight people completed the survey, which asked participants to rank different options for finding the money. Among the 88 there were 41 district employees, 36 public citizens, and 11 site council members.
Among all three categories, 77 percent of respondents said they'd favor an increase in the LOB mill levy — which means an increase in property taxes. Ninety percent of respondents said the district should start charging fees for driver's education classes.
Other popular choices included eliminating a job share position at Hillsboro Elementary School, charging a sports participation fee, eliminating a team teaching position at Hillsboro Middle School, and increasing textbook rental fees.
Among the 41 school employees that responded, the overwhelming top choice for raising funds was raising the LOB. But for the 36 public responses, getting rid of the HES job share position was the top choice.
But getting rid of a shared teaching position could be tricky, according to Superintendent Gordon Mohn. Those part-time teachers have tenure for the amount of time they spend in the classroom, and the district would have to find an identical job for them in the district.
It costs the district approximately $16,000 per year to hire one of these part-time teachers, he said, and that's including benefits. Two of the four teachers in this position don't use the benefits, making their actual salary closer to $9,200.
The board decided to discuss these and other financial issues further at a special meeting on Wednesday, April 23, at 7:30 p.m. in the HHS technology center.
That's when they'll talk more about possible staff cuts and consider next year's tenure decisions. The only USD 410 teacher up for tenure this year is part-time kindergarten teacher Michelle Faul.
If the district plans to release one of its teachers, it must notify him or her by May 1, according to state law.
In other school board business:
— The board accepted the resignation of HES Principal Pat Call. Call has accepted a superintendent position with Hill City.
Karen Call, family and consumer sciences teacher at HHS and Pat Call's wife, also submitted her resignation.
— For next year's school calendar, spring break will run the week of March 22 and not the week of March 15, as the board had previously decided. This schedule will follow spring breaks for the TEEN network and Tabor College.
— The board offered a supplemental contract to Keith Shobert to become an assistant track coach for both high and middle schools.
— The board held two executive sessions for personnel, one including the three future board members (Mark Rooker, Rod Koons, and Dale Klassen), and one executive session for negotiations.
