Also ratifies contract with 3.68 percent increase in teacher salaries
Greene County Schools is among an increasing number of districts using their own ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds to give non-teaching staff cash bonuses.
Gov Kim Reynolds in January announced teachers would receive a $1,000 bonus from federal Covid-19 relief funds. The plan excludes other school employees. The Greene County Schools board action is following guidance provided by the Iowa Department of Education for using their own ESSER funds to pay bonuses.
The Greene County board at its regular meeting March 9 approved $1,000 bonuses to other staff who provide “critical support and services to students.” The board motion noted that due to staffing shortages and in anticipation of continuing shortages, and in recognition of increased responsibilities due to ongoing pandemic mitigation, all active, fulltime contracted employees will receive a one-time $1,000 bonus, and part-time (contracted and non-contracted) employees will receive a $500 bonus. Additionally, fulltime employees hired after Oct. 1, 2021, will receive a $500 bonus. Employees must agree to continue their employment with the district at least through the end of the current school year to receive the bonus.
According to district business manager Brenda Muir, bonus payments will total $123,000, which will be paid with the April 20 payroll. Ninety-four teachers will receive state-funded bonuses.
Ames, Perry, Gilbert and Woodward-Granger are among the other districts that are paying bonuses to non-teaching staff.
“This is a really good thing to fill the gap for anyone who says, ‘others deserve this, too.’ The teachers have done a great job, they deserve it. Others deserve it. This is how we’re filling the gap,” school board member Bonnie Silbaugh said.
The board also ratified a contract with the Greene County Education Association for the 2022-23 school year. The base teacher pay will increase from $32,760 to $33,350, an increase of 3.68 percent. The district will also absorb an increase in the cost of the teachers’ health insurance benefit. Total additional cost to the district in the new contract is $8,490,963.
The GCEA’s opening request was for a 7.5 percent increase in base pay; the district countered with an offer of no increase.
The increase to base pay is larger than in recent years. Base pay was increased by 2.17 percent for 2020-21 and by 1.2 percent for the current school years.
The Iowa legislature approved a 2.5 percent increase in supplemental aid to school district for 2021-22.
In another budget-related item, superintendent Tim Christensen presented the 2022-23 budget.
The district’s certified enrollment increased by 27.8 students, or 2.4 percent over the current school year. Enrollment is part of the equation in calculating the district’s total budget. The total cost per student is paid for by a combination of local property tax dollars and state aid.
School funding is very complex and includes a surcharge on state income tax, along with property tax and other revenue sources like the transportation equity payment.
The bottom line of the proposed budget for 2022-23 shows total expenses (instruction, support services, noninstructional programs and ‘other’) at $20,715,479, compared to $23,119,657 (re-estimated) for 2021-22. The proposed property tax rate for 2022-23 is $14.42115 (per $1,000 of taxable valuation). The levy in the current year is $14.5548.
The board set a public hearing on the budget for Wednesday, April 13, at 5 pm in the board room at the middle school.
The board also approved a change in the procedure 14- and 15-year-old students must follow to get a Department of Transportation minor school license to drive to school. The application requires the signature of a school official. Students in recent years got the application signed by the superintendent or the high school principal.
Christensen suggested the board change the process so that students would be required to appear before the board and explain why they wanted/needed the permit and get the board president’s signature to apply for the permit.
Christensen said that years ago, that was the process used. He suggested returning to the older process. He said more and more students don’t follow the rules stipulated by the permit. “I think if they come to a school board meeting and the consequences (of not following the rules) are discussed with them, that would elevate the expectations on the student,” he said.
Board president Steve Fisher said making the request to the board would give students more ownership in the process.
The board accepted a bid from Drees Co of $34,410 for lighting in the south parking lot at the high school. Approving a bid for security cameras as the elementary school was delayed at the request of technology director Brent Gerzema.
The board approved commendations thanking Julie Neal for 35 years of service to the district and Traci Beger for 33 years of service. Both resigned for the purpose of retirement and are eligible for the voluntary retirement benefit of payment for up to 90 days of unused sick leave at $135 per day.
An appeal from teacher Denise Kennedy of a denial of her request for the voluntary requirement benefit was denied. Kennedy also has 35 years of service to the district, but she won’t turn 55 until September. State Code stipulates that the voluntary retirement benefit can be paid from the district’s management fund only if the teacher is 55 on or before July 1.
Although she was denied the financial benefit, the board commended Kennedy for her years of service.
Board president Fisher reported the timeline for hiring a new superintendent has been moved up one week. The board will meet in closed session March 23 to review the top applicants brought forward by McPherson & Jacobson, the firm hired to assist with the search. The names of 2-4 finalists will be released following that meeting.
Candidates will be interviewed the last week in March with the goal of making a job offer March 31.
Fisher reported a total of 23 applications were received, more than anticipated by the search firm. Christensen said there are 10-12 school superintendent vacancies in in Iowa.
