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Clintonville schools adjust budget, tax levy
The Clintonville School Board approved modifications to the proposed 2010-11 levy and budget Monday, Aug. 9, as the district prepares for its annual meeting.
The board will hold the meetings at the Clintonville High School Auditorium on Monday, Aug. 23, with the regular meeting beginning at 6 p.m., the budget hearing at 6:30 p.m., and the annual meeting at 6:45 p.m.
The proposed levy had been set at $11.14 per $1,000 of full valuation, but a $575,000 heating and cooling project for the middle school and Dellwood pushed the amount up. The HVAC project has a $1.03 impact on the proposed levy, bringing it to $12.17 per $1,000 of full valuation.
Business Manager Jenny Goldschmidt explained that the $1.03 increase will be for one year only, as the HVAC project will be completed within one school budget year.
Of the total proposed $12.17 levy, $8.18 is ascribed to the general fund (Fund 10); $3.36 to the debt service fund (Fund 39); and $0.63 to the community fund (Fund 80).
The levy rate in 2008-09 was $9.87. it increased to $10.97 in 2009-10 and the proposed rate for 2010-11 is $12.17-a 10.94 percent increase from last year.
The total school levy rose from $5,524,336 in 2008-09 to $6,087,987 in 2009-10, and if the proposed changes are approved, it will rise to $6,754,113 for the 2010-11 school year. The 2010-11 proposed levy rate assumes a zero percent increase on the equalized valuation which will be certified on Oct. 1, 2010. The estimated levy rate is based on the equalized valuation as certified by the Department of Revenue. Property tax bills are determined through the individual municipality's variation on the assessed valuation of the property.
JD Wacker spoke during the public comments/communication portion of the meeting to express his frustrations over what he called a "negative and unfair situation" involving student photos at Clintonville High School.
"We have been honored to serve this community for 26 years," stated Wacker. "I recently asked for names and addresses of senior students so we could send out photograph information to this year's graduating class. I was told 'no, we don't release that information'."
Wacker said he later found out that another photography business was sending out mailings to students with help from the same school official who had denied JD's request to send information to local students.
"I deserve to know why this happened and why my business is being treated unfairly," Wacker said. "I think there should be new policies on this issue, and the employee I dealt with should be harshly disciplined."
Board members stated that they would further investigate the matter.
The board went on to discuss sewer back billing from the City of Clintonville. Due to what is believed to be a computer error, the city did not bill the school district for sewer at the middle school. The city is now back billing the district for an amount totaling $6,721.90.
Board members discussed the situation, noting that the city gave no adjustments for extensive water main flushing and testing that took place last year. The school district claimed to have paid for all of the expenses incurred during the flushing and testing process, and it was later determined that water quality problems were caused by issues within the city's water infrastructure, not the schools. The board plans to work with city officials to address these issues.
Other business
• The board approved the hire of Jackie Hill to a freshman volleyball coaching position, effective immediately;
• Administration reported that an ESP recall of Linda Everson for the 2010-11 school year to a Para 1 Special Education position at Rexford/Longfellow will take place. The position is said to be 19 hours per week;
• The board approved the hire of Jim Schultz to a 60 percent high school science/biology position, effective with the 2010-11 school year;
• Reports were given by students attending FFA trips throughout the summer;
• The board approved the 2010-11 middle school handbooks;
• The board approved the adoption of the Wisconsin School District Records Retention Schedule;
• Milk bids for the 2010-11 school year were approved;
• The board was informed that the IRS Tax Return Audit of the district is complete and no changes were made;
• The board approved policies regarding harassment and/or bullying, internet acceptable use and safety, and interlibrary loan.
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