Published: October 27, 2009 09:14 am      

Central’s school enrollment climbs

DEWITT — Enrollment figures are up in the Central Community School District for the 2009-2010 school year.

The Central School Board received the good news at a recent meeting, learning that the certified enrollment count increased by 65.97 with inclusion of preschool students who are weighted at a .6 count. This added 54.6 students to the previous year’s count. This still leaves an increase in the certified count to 1,587.2, Business Director Jan Culbertson said.

The official building count also shows a gain with an additional 21 students. Central resident students whose families live within the boundaries of the school district are up 13 students at Ekstrand Elementary and six at the middle school and down 11 at the high school for a net gain of eight students. Other figures indicate a decreasing gap between open enrollment out (at 75) and open enrollment in (at 48.2). Other students who make up the count are non-resident students, tuitioned-out students, dual enrolled and home-schooled students.

The certified enrollment of 1,587.2 is the number that generates the funding for the upcoming year through the state finance formula.

Culbertson also presented figures which represented the 10 percent state budget cut that has been initiated due to decreased state revenue. The areas cut are in teacher quality/Phase II funding, early intervention, professional development and the state foundation. The latter comprises the largest cut and the total cut is $706,461.

Culbertson said the district is still waiting to see where it is actually at with the cuts and expects further word from the state. Reduction in revenues begins in November.

In addition, the unspent authorized budget money has been reduced by over $280,000 due to tuition paid out to other districts for Central’s special education students. It now stands at $569,678. Culbertson also noted the unreserved cash balance stands at $733,965. The district retains the same spending authority, but actual funding is lost.

The board approved hiring two full-time teacher associates to be shared by four kindergarten classrooms with 19 and 20 students. The four classrooms have high behavior needs, Ekstrand Principal Terri Selzer told the board, which prevents a quality learning environment. The associates will help remedy the situation.

Also hired were Andrew Vickers as eighth-grade boys track coach at $1,887, Brandon Barnhart as assistant varsity boys basketball coach at $2,965, and Patty Dahl and Bernice Meyer as substitute bus drivers.

After discussion, the board agreed to continue with Brett Nitzschke as its legal counsel. Nitzschke has changed law firms and is now part of Lynch Dallas, P.C., in Cedar Rapids.

The board approved a resolution to redeem school infrastructure sales and services tax revenue bonds in the amount of $665,000 in January 2010; the Title Two-A application for $50,092, which is a special grant for reading teachers; and the request for allowable growth in the special education budget.

In routine business, the board approved a change order of $325 for the cost of a humidifier, counting second semester dual credit courses on next year’s certified enrollment count, contracting with commissioners to schedule officials for athletic events, allowing Central office staff to use the board president’s signature stamp on contracts for officials, the Senior Year Plus (alternate assessments for entrance into PSEO, dual credit and advanced placement courses), and the first readings of revisions to policy series.

The early retirement incentive will be discussed and finalized at a special meeting set for Nov. 4.