Published: June 13, 2008 10:56 pm      

Tax measure to go before Central voters

DEWITT — A resolution approving a sales tax revenue purpose statement puts the measure before Central Community School District voters on Sept. 9.

The Central Board recently approved the statement at a regular meeting because the Iowa Legislature has approved a statewide local option sales tax for schools. The statement designates what the sales tax funds, when received, can be used for and includes property tax relief, infrastructure needs, purchases of buildings or equipment, emergency repairs and some types of loan payments.

“It is similar to the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy,” board member Dennis Campbell said and urged school patrons to vote for it.

The board also approved a transition of terms for board members due to new state legislation mandating 4-year terms. The terms of board members Kurt Rickard and Bill Turnis will end in 2009, the terms of Jim Irwin and Dennis Campbell in 2011 and the term of Dona Bark in 2008. Bark’s term will then transition to 2011.

In other business the board approved contracts with Genesis Medical Center for an athletic trainer for 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 at $14,000 per year and the school nurse for 2008-2009 at $25.95 an hour, an 8.3 percent increase; the bread bid with Inter State Brands of Davenport and the milk bid with Swiss Valley of Eldridge; and after lengthy discussion the school improvement goals as stated.

The goals for 2008-2009 are the following: More than 79.3 percent of the current 10th graders (2007-2008) who will be 11th graders in 2008-2009 and who are non-free and reduced price lunch and non-individual education program will be proficient on the reading comprehension test of the Iowa Test of Educational Development; and 11th grade FRL and IEP student subgroups will increase the percentage of proficient students on the reading comprehension test of the ITED by 10 percent.

Administrative and supervisory contracts were approved at the following rates: Ekstrand Principal Terri Selzer, $75,480; Central Middle School Principal Dan Ziesmer, $76,425; Dean of Students and Athletic Director Brent Cook, $72,900; half-time curriculum director Stephen Haines, $44,061; technology director Jim Hetrick, $76,235; Building and Grounds Superintendent Keith Walker, $52,550; food service director Luann Barber, $27,325; and board secretary and business manager Jan Culbertson, $67,850.

Cook was awarded a plaque for achieving the national Certified Master Athletic Administrator distinction, the highest distinction in the U.S.

A market factor pay funding resolution to assist schools in hiring and retraining teachers in shortage areas was approved. A sum of $11,370 was received in 2006 and about the same amount last year, Culbertson said.

In other personnel changes, the resignations of sophomore volleyball coach Pam Kennnedy, boys varsity soccer coach Jason Lacey, freshman volleyball coach Lori Walker, head boys basketball coach George Pickup and reading teacher Kathryn Wilke were accepted.

Employed were Jeff Frick as eighth-grade math teacher at $39,658 and as head boys basketball coach at $4,508; Anessa Petersen as 9/10 time reading teacher; Peggy Kuehn as head varsity volleyball coach at $3,448; Denise McAleer as one-half junior class sponsor at $1,326; Cassie Dunlavey as middle school student council advisor at $795; Paul Keitel as a bus driver at $14.75 per hour; DorRae Venable, Heather Daniel and Christine Meyers as teacher associates at Ekstrand; Paula Weinschenk as middle school associate at $10.02 per hour; and Amanda Greubel as flag corps instructor at $10.02 per hour. The contract of media specialist Tami McClimon was extended by five days, and Barb Harlson, Amy Haack, Delinda Card and Denise Kueter received summer school contracts for 22 hours each.