Monday night USD 257 board of education members spent time reflecting on the past year. The two main topics discussed were the results of standardized testing and the financial status of the district.
During the 2011-2012 academic year, schools in the district were tested on reading and math comprehension. Most schools met their expectations in the categories. McKinley elementary students had initially met the levels set for them, known as annual yearly progress under the provisions of the, “No Child Left Behind” education legislation. However, according to McKinley Principal Lori Maxwell, some scores were recategorized which put the school in a situation where the school falls into a needs improvement category. Maxwell spoke about the relatively arbitrary way the scores were handled by the state.
The middle school found itself in a similar situation, said Jack Stanley, IMS principal. Due to the classification system, Stanley talked about the difference in size between IMS and elementary schools like McKinley. He also talked about the AYP and then showed charts with statistics compiled into the new assessment format that will take effect next year. The Assessment Performance Index is the new system and would have given a meets expectation or exceeds standards rating.
Iola High was last of the schools that had some issue with the testing situation. IHS Principal Stacey Fager spoke about the school’s performance. In terms of meeting set levels, the high school struggled in the main assessment categories. However through other targets such as 90 percent attendance and 80 percent graduation, which IHS met, the school was able to get a meets standards rating.
THE SECOND THEME of the evening was all things financial. The board heard an update to the current dilemma surrounding the Building Trades house which still sits unsold. The house, erected by students at 405 N. McGuire Dr., is up for sale, however no one has shown interest. Currently the district is attempting to sell it itself. Members debated involving a Realtor in facilitating the sale of the property. Mark Burris, board member, asked that would entail asking a Realtor to help with the sale and then donate the profits from the sale to the school district. The donation would be able to written off on the Realtor’s taxes. The idea was well received by the board. Renting the property was not seriously considered.
“We are a school district and do not want to become a landlord,” Burris said.
The next financial items discussed were budget transfers and school meal prices. The board approved the recommended movement from one fund to the other for the budget transfers as well as a slight increase in price for school meals next year. Iola currently sits on the higher end of area schools in terms of cost for students at $2.15 per student who is not classified as a free or reduced meal child. Under the motion passed by the board, adult breakfasts will go up 15 cents while lunch for adults will rise 25 cents. Lunches for children will go up 5 cents per meal. This will amount to an increase in $4,000 to help cover the cost of inflation in providing the meals.
Colleen Riebel, USD 257 food services director, said that making the move to raise prices now is better than waiting until the following year when the cost would be a steeper increase and create more angst amongst parents and employees of the district.
Afterward they discussed new technology purchases. According to Brett Linn, district technology director, computers in the second floor lab of IHS are coming up on seven years old and need to be replaced. After sending out for bids on the purchase of 27 new computers, the board agreed to accept the lower bid of $12,150 to replace the antiquated technology. The purchase was expected and it was emphasized by the board and Linn that the budget reflected the need for the equipment.
The last item of consequence was a discussion on the approval of additional funds to help support the lawsuit that is currently being adjudicated in Topeka over levels of funding for education. The board asked several questions about how much more the legal team representing Iola, one of 54 districts throughout the state suing the legislature, would need. Iola Superintendent Brian Pekarek spoke about accountability and needing to hold the state government to its responibility to provide adequate funding for schools.
Pekarek said the budget as it currently stands would defund education over the next five years to a point that would be what he termed as, “unacceptably low levels.”
The board agreed to continue the funding at a cost of $8,310.83 to the district. Board members spoke about a desire to see the lawsuit to the end of the process.
After signing off on the funding the board approved paying of bills for the previous billing period and accepted grant gifts totaling more than $110,000, more than half of the money going to SAFE BASE.
The board then convened in executive session to go over personnel decisions and negotiations of property. The board concluded the meeting afterward.
