The voter approved property tax levy that was accepted in the fall of 2011 is set to expire December 2015. Cathy Erickson of the Arrowhead Regional Consortium spoke at the August 7, 2014 school board meeting to explain what levy options are available to the board. The levy generates approximately $430,000 in annual revenue for the school district.
Due to a change in the way the state allows and calculates school levies the original $650 per resident pupil unit has been modified to the figure of $861 adjusted pupil units which is based solely on the number of students attending Cook County Public Schools. With the legislative changes the board would be allowed to levy as much as $724 per adjusted pupil unit without voter approval. This would generate just over $9,100 in additional revenue.
Another factor in the decision is that Cook County schools receive no equalization aid from the state. Equalization payments are based on a formula of all taxable properties except seasonal, recreational properties in a district and the number of students. Since property values are high in Cook County and the number of students low, ISD 166 is one of two schools in Minnesota that does not qualify for the additional aid. Erickson indicated that part of the reasoning behind the formula is that if you are serving fewer students you should have to spend less than larger schools.
Board member Ed Bolstad stated that he had heard that Cook County has the lowest property tax rate in the state. Erickson clarified that the tax rate percentage is lower because of the higher property values. Another option being considered is to ask voters to approve an increase over and above the $724.
One dynamic being considered by the board is that it did vote to approve an additional property tax levy specifically for the improvements to the parking lot at the last meeting. The board pondered whether it should wait on asking voters to approve even more.
In an effort to be as transparent as possible to the public, the board wants voters to realize that asking them to approve a levy for a smaller dollar amount will not be a decrease in their property tax since the authority for the board to continue the levy for $724 per adjusted pupil unit may still be in place.
Nine-man football and athletics
Athletic Director Pam Taylor reported that the average athletic fee for this past year was $82.29 per student athlete, per sport. Since some participants have already reached the maximum annual individual or family fee before spring sports begin, the average fee is used to allocate the amount attributable to each sport. She also explained that the Cook County Booster Club directly pays for many different equipment and transportation expenses incurred by the various teams that are not reflected in the athletic budget.
Minnesota State High School League rules require that all participation forms be signed and turned in before a student can practice or play in a game. Taylor would also like to see all fees paid by that point as well. The athletic program can offer assistance to those unable to pay all or part of the required fee. She stated that 15 to 20 student athletes received scholarship assistance for this last year.
Taylor also reported on the switch to nine-man football which will take place in 2015. A two-year, eight-game schedule has already been established. Games played at home the first year will be away games the following year. The first two games and the last game of the regular season will be crossover games with teams not in the same sub-district as Cook County High School. Those games will be against, Northwoods (the old Cook, Minnesota school), Northeast Range (the old Babbitt-Embarrass school), and Carlton. The remaining five games will be sub-district games with Cherry, Ely, Mesabi Academy, Mountain Iron-Buhl, and Silver Bay.
The switch will require some modifications to the current football field including moving the goal posts. Nine-man football is played on a field that is shorter and more narrow than 11-man.
Industrial Arts Expansion delayed until 2015
The industrial arts remodeling project is going to be delayed. The architect is concerned that bids this late in the building season will be artificially high and more competitive bids could be obtained by waiting until January. It is now hoped that building will begin by next summer and possibly before the end of the next school year. Students who are enrolled in industrial arts classes will spend some time on computers and will have enough other temporary working space. There will be some new wood working equipment although the anticipated metal working equipment would be too large for the current space. Principal Adam Nelson will begin to order some of the equipment.
There will be a walking tour of the area to be remodeled at the next board meeting on August 21, 2014.
Other school board news
. Principal Nelson updated the board on summer school which was helped with funding from the Northland Special Education Cooperative. Graduation credit recovery was completed by 17 or 18 students and the school is on track to offer credit recovery during the school year as well. Night school may be offered but there is some concern that students under 16 years old may not be able to legally attend school that late in the evening. There are also plans to offer classes two Saturdays per month which may be decreased as the year progresses.
Nelson thanked the board for approving the weighted grading schedule which he believes will encourage students to take the more challenging classes. The level to make the honor roll in the upcoming school year will increase from a grade point average of three point five to three point seven.
. The state approved $36,300 for equipment replacement and ventilation upgrades covered under the health and safety budget. This will help to offset part of the projected budget shortfall of $437,000 approved at the June 19 meeting.
. The positions of choir teacher and culinary arts instructor have yet to be filled although there are possible candidates for each being considered at the time of the meeting. Thirty students are currently signed up for the culinary arts course. The new industrial arts teacher, Peter Johnson also has extensive culinary experience and would be willing to mentor a new instructor who has some experience. His class schedule would allow for him to do this if it becomes necessary.
. The board accepted the resignation of school counselor Amanda Burggraff. An ad has been placed seeking her replacement and a couple of interviews have already been scheduled. They also approved the hiring of Hanna Johnson as the media center supervisor and district assessment assistant, pending approval of her work agreement.
. The addition of Cindy Crawford as the new K-12 administrative assistant, who will also serve as the welcoming person at the school front desk, was also accepted.
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