This article submitted by Linda Stelling on 10/28/97.
The voters are being asked to approve raising $488,389 for the district in the excess levy referendum. Of that total, $128,511 will be raised locally and equalization aid from the state will cover $359,878. This will be the third time voters will head to the polls to vote on an excess levy for the district.
“The excess levy has provided the district with an opportunity to enhance its programs and facilities,” Superintendent Howard Caldwell said. “The excess levy has enabled the district to get out of a negative balance and return some of the programs we cut in 1990,” he added.
At the start of the 1988-89 school year, the school district had a deficit of $463,639. With the passage of the first excess levy (1988) for $186,000, and budget reductions of $150,000 in the spring of 1990, the district has been able to gradually eliminate the deficit and build a reserve.
As a result of the additional funds provided by the excess levy since 1993, the district has been able to add about 13 new teachers/teacher assistants throughout the district in the special education, science, math, and elementary classrooms.
In 1993-94 the district added:
•A full-time community education director.
•Went to everyday, half day kindergarten.
•Computerized elementary and high school library search system.
In 1994-95:
•Resurfaced high school parking lot.
•Obtained new playground equipment for the elementary playground.
•Hired instructional assistant in high school computer lab.
•Continued to computerize library system at elementary school.
In 1995-96
•Added part-time high school German teacher.
•Purchased software for middle school social and science departments.
•Resurfaced the tennis courts.
•Completed the long jump/pole vault runways.
•Installed a movable wall on the elementary gym stage.
•Purchased new band equipment and choir risers.
In 1996-97:
•Upgraded the computers throughout the school district.
•Remodeled high school bathrooms.
•Added padding on the walls in the high school gym.
•Assisted in adding new lights to the baseball field.
In 1997-98
•Added Spanish as an offering at the high school.
•Constructed a new concessions stand/storage building at the high school athletic field.
•Purchased new 10-passenger van.
•Window and sidewalk replacement at elementary school.
At present the district is in the process of installing Internet into all the classrooms to enhance learning opportunities to students of all ages. Without the excess levy funds, a bond would have had to be purchased.
Future needs for continued improvements have been identified as adding, upgrading and maintaining computer equipment.
•Continue to keep class sizes small.
•Find ways to develop an individ-ualized learning plan for each student.
•Find ways to improve the involve-ment of parents in their child’s educational program.
•Continue to improve each curriculum area on a scheduled basis so that education needs are continually met.
•Continue to maintain and improve all buildings and grounds on a yearly basis.
•Support and provide appropriate staff development of all staff members.
“I feel the district is providing students with a quality education. It is important that voters turn out at the polls, to ensure we can continue to maintain the level of educationwe provide,” Caldwell said.