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Minds and Matter: State aid looking like 1% more, but inflation running 2.5 to 3%
Op-Ed · February 15, 2018
The West Branch Community School District has the reputation as one of the best places for students to learn.
We are a future-focused community of learners striving to prepare students to live and learn with passion and purpose.
Due to the dedication, commitment and focus of our principals, teachers, staff and current and past board members we continue to challenge the status quo and strive for continuous improvement! On that note, we will continue to fostering a culture that:
1. Thrives on the power of teams and the concept of “collective responsibility” for all students.
2. Embeds instructional coaching and peer input processes designed to support quality teaching.
3. Supports innovative teaching and professional risk-taking for growth
4. Uses student assessment and student work samples to personalize and inform instruction.
5. Responds to the individual needs of students (including combating bullying) in a timely, professional manner.
6. Builds partnerships with local and regional businesses, health care providers, faith-based organizations and civic groups.
As we move forward, I am reminded of a quote attributed to Coach Bill Belicheck, “While we respect the past, to live in it is to die in the future.” We must be intentional in our work to support transformational teaching and learning practices and maintain, remodel and build facilities that attract families to our community.
School Funding: It appears that our schools will receive a 1% SSA (per pupil funding) for the 2018 – 2019 school year and some form of equity support for ongoing transportation costs. However, the average annual cost of conducting school business is 2.5% to 3%. Over 183 Iowa school districts will experience a loss in their General Fund again this year. West Branch is one of those districts. Meanwhile, the district continues to work hard at maintaining costs will meeting the growing demand for services, programming, staffing and course offerings.
School Budgets: A school district’s General Fund is used for to pay for supplies, curriculum, programming, transportation costs and salaries. Therefore, years of underfunding and stagnant enrollment, have a major impact services, staffing, class sizes and course offerings. The Physical Plant and Educational Levy (PPEL) and Secure and Advance Vision for Education (SAVE) provide property tax reduction support by reduction bond request. In the past seven years, the District has: built or remodeled restrooms in every building, remodeled Hoover locker rooms, expanded the east and west parking lots at the HS, created a one-way parking and drop off at the MS, added an emergency fire lane with additional fire hydrants at the high school., fixed roofs, paint, new 5th grade classrooms and built a new multiuse facility.
School Tax Rate: We anticipate the district’s total school tax levy to be one of the lowest in nearly twenty years. During this time, we have maintained the level of staffing needed to support the programming opportunities our students enjoy. It appears that we will be able to maintain this for the 2018 – 2019 school year, but the eight year decline in “per pupil funding” coupled with limited enrollment growth will mean General Fund adjustments in the near future.
Kevin Hatfield is the superintendent of West Branch Community Schools. You may reach him at 319-643-7213 or khatfield@west-branch.k12.ia.us.
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