Principal Gwen Carman discussed early childhood education (ECE) at the July 17, 2014 meeting of the ISD 166 school board.
Carman presented the DVD, Raising of America. The video stated that Americans work more hours than most of the other countries included in the 29 richest nations in the world and is the only nation of that group that does not require employers to pay maternity leave. It stated that 70 percent of children grow up in families headed by working parents and suggested that was detrimental to the mental growth of American children. It went on to say that many people believe that it is a parent’s responsibility for a child’s well being, when in the opinion of the filmmakers it is rather the responsibility of the school, the neighborhood and the community.
The film also repeatedly put forth the opinion that the United States needs to invest more in ECE. Carman agreed that the United States and especially Minnesota are underfunding education. Superintendent Beth Schwarz said of the property tax rate in Cook County, “We need to be paying our fair share of taxes.” She also feels that the indication is that the state may be moving in the direction of more funding for ECE since they are now supporting funding for all-day kindergarten classes.
Three members of a local ECE group that began meeting this past December spoke in support of expanding ECE in Cook County. Long-term, the group would like to see a new building constructed and devoted to ECE and childcare. They first need to come up with additional data and a fiscal plan on how to pay for initial construction costs as well as future expenses. They would like to reach out to the business community and let them know that it needs to support them in order to create the future work force. Shorter term they would like to increase the mobility of ECE programs throughout the county.
Schwarz accentuated that funding for such a project is not currently available and was troubled with the lack of high enough pay for people interested in the ECE field. Board member Ed Bolstad expounded that the money for such projects can be anywhere, such as the legislature or from a big businessman who may have a grandchild of that age. Bolstad indicated that he would like to see this project started by making drawings and plans and considering possible sites. He suggested enlisting the funding of a local contributor in exchange for naming the building after the benefactor.
Bolstad also asked if there are any legislators that see this need and would be willing to champion it. He queried members of the ECE group on what they would like the board to start doing today. The group members indicated that they would like the board to be verbally and emotionally supportive of their efforts as well as consider allowing the use of an SUV or mini-van for the purpose of mobilizing programs to other areas of the county.
Board member Deb White summed up her opinion of the project by exclaiming, “It’s as exciting as our industrial arts project!”
Parking lot budget and property tax abatement bond
The board discussed budget options for various parking lot renovation designs ranging from $137,100 to $184,100 for phase one, followed by $106,766 to $141,866 for phase two next year. The first $90,000 of the project will be covered by a $100,000 property tax abatement bond that will be assessed against property owners over the next five years. The remaining $10,000 of the bond will go towards the fee of the PMA Securities for their assistance in issuing the bond as well as additional counsel fees.
An additional similar bond may be created to cover phase two of the project next year. The board had failed to include a resolution at their June meeting that in effect rendered last month’s sales resolution for the $100,000 abatement bond to be null and void. The board unanimously passed new resolutions that will allow the sale to go through effective August 1, 2014 instead of the originally planned July 1 date.
Questionable finish to current year budget
Fiscal year 2013-2014 budget expenditures are currently at 108.5 percent and are expected to finish at 109 percent of the set budget. Revenues are currently at 97.1 percent of the set budget but should see an increase to approximately 105 percent because of local taxes and state aid amounts that have not yet been determined, according to Schwarz.
In other news
. The board passed a motion to raise fees by $25 for extra-curricular activities such as athletics, the one act play and robotics. The increase amounts to 20 to 50 percent over last year’s cost. Board member Sissy Lunde stated, “I’m not excited about raising the rates. I’m not for it. Maybe put it out for people to donate.”
Meal, instrument rental and industrial arts fees are slated to have no change from the last year.
Parking fees will be eliminated to encourage students to not park on the street. The superintendent also felt that the parking fee helped to emphasize the poverty/ segregation issue, in that less fortunate students who do not have as nice of cars, are also the ones who cannot afford to park in the lot. The motion to accept the new fee schedule as presented passed by a 3-2 vote with Chair Jeanne Anderson and Lunde voting against it.
. The district is in the tentative planning stages for a September 26 dinner or luncheon to attempt to enlist the support of local philanthropists in further investment into alternative learning and special education.
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