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Read comments (20)This comes as the board members continue to gather pieces of the puzzle that will help them in preparing the 2009-10 school year budget.
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"This came from discussions with the principals," Wendt said.
*Three teaching staff positions could be reduced due to changes in enrollment numbers for a possible savings of $180,000.
Wendt would not indicate at what level those reductions would be made, saying if that decision is made, proper procedures must be followed to notify staff.
*A reduction of 10 coaching positions shows a possible savings $28,000.
"These are not head coaching positions, but assistants," Wendt said.
*Reduction of extended contracts would have a possible savings of $25,000. These are contracts for a few staff members which extend beyond the regular school year.
*Two areas of athletics were also listed as areas of possible savings.
Elimination of freshmen level athletics, could save $30,000.
Elimination of middle school athletics could save $75,000.
Wendt cautioned the board the the elimination of freshmen and/or middle school athletics would cause a complete reversal of the district's current philosophy regarding the benefits of participation in athletics.
Having freshmen become a part of junior varsity programs would require a policy of cutting the number of students participating to a manageable level, Wendt said.
"The elimination of middle school athletics would cause us to consider an intramural program or a community-based program," Wendt said.
While the total potential savings of the possible cuts totals $338,000, Wendt said it would not make sense to do all the suggested cuts.
He also pointed out that cuts rejected during discussions last spring such as the elimination of an elementary attendance center and further reductions to vocational programs at the high school such as the Trades & Industries (T&I) program, were not included.
One board member cautioned that if the numbers indicate it, the district may need to revisit possibility of closing an elementary attendance center or further cuts to T&I.
The 2009-10 budget will be based on a certified enrollment of 2,195.9 students.
Wendt cautioned the board that while the Iowa Legislature approved four percent allowable growth funding increase for the 2009-10 school year, the uncertainty that exists as a result of the national state economic conditions could change the amount of state funding. He reminded the board that several years ago the state cut funding in the middle of the school year.
"Always remember, 'what the legislature giveth, the legislature can taketh away.'" he cautioned.
I see the United Auto Workers are going to make some serious concessions to try and make things work in Detroit. Maybe the teachers union needs to do the same. It's too bad the labor force whether teachers or car makers have to make sacrifices to offset incompetant adminstations decisions but sometimes that's what it takes to get things back on track.
It's amazing to me, we have one article about the LCS teachers asking for raises and more money for insurance, and in the very next article we are hearing cries for more funding.
Seems rather ironic.
There are great teachers in the system. And for one year or maybe two. Those great teachers could do without the 6% raise, or even the national average. There are many families right here at home that are struggling to make ends meet and that don't have health care coverage at all.
So figure out the priorities for LCS, and let the teachers know that when there is an upturn they will indeed feel that. But for now, get the 3% raise and keep paying your health insurance at the rate that you are.
You can't give and give and expect to get from a community that is tired of hearing the woes.
The problem here is with future planning, or should I say, lack thereof. The community we have is an intelligent one, I'm thankful for that. Our representation seems to be lacking in adequate communication, clear and concise that sticks to the facts. Finacncially speaking, there are many opportunities available and ideas that are not being considered. We only take the 'known' approach and it hasn't really made the most of our efforts.
We have buildings that are getting rather outdated with more maintenance costs to keep them up. Opportunity to purchase/trade/sell property that could make many other costs actually come down and provide better facilities to boot. We are stuck in stove pipe mode of thinking and cannot seem to look at other opportunities available to us as a community because of that. I think the administration should look closely at what they are doing, step back and take in more ideas, then re-approach the situation. Creativity is needed at this point or we will continue to fall short of funds into a sinking system. The ISL and CRL approaches have their place. But there must be clarity in the approach and presented to the community in a way that shows the need. Mr Wendt used to teach math, why can't he use mathematical approach that shows all identified expenditures/credits for the past year and be able to have a projected one for the coming year? I have asked this question many times in these discussions but it doesn't go anywhere. I even called Mr Wendt and expected to hear back from him. No call received yet!
Maybe we need to get away from everything being monetarily associated. More requests for volunteer assistance may be necessary. Wouldn't it be nice to have a sign-up list that we could see the needs and fill them? How about donations? Remember, the more we rely upon the unsteady, the more unsteady we become.
Dear School Board,
It appears there are a fair amount of people who do not want this levy.
Why can't the board live within its' means?
What part of NO does the board not understand?!
Why do those of us that do not want to have to pay any more for this have to hear smug comments about not caring for the kids?
This is pathetic!
And why do I have to sit at a board meeting and hear your "spin"?
Note: you had me at 2 years and 5%, at that point I would have voted yes for this.
I am not sure if it was greed or ignorance that really put no cap on time or percentage. That upset me, big time!
I believe that if the board wanted a line drawn in the sand, they have one.
Good grief!
Dave74...best clearthinking post I have ever seen on this subject.
spice of life...I agree with you 100% but you are not going to get that with your government run schools.
oldone1...you are right on.
We have voted down the ISL twice now and I have never seen the cost of these votes.
How much have we already spent rejecting this new tax?
I will work very hard to see that it is rejected a third time.
To All,
First off, I wish we didn't need to be considering the ISL again.
That being said, here is where things stand.
The State has promised a 4% increase to all Iowa public school districts for Fiscal Year 2010, which comes to $466,452.00 for Le Mars Community School District.
If the LCSD could hold FY10 General Fund expenditures to an increase of 3% we are looking at a deficit of $54,852.00.
Because of the cuts made last spring we have the cash to cover that $54,852.00.
What I feel we have to look at is whether the State of Iowa will follow through with the FY10 increase they have promised.
If the State has to pull back on the increase to put the money elsewhere it deepens our jeopardy.
Every 1% reduction in the promised increase from the State takes $116,613.00 away from the LCSD FY10 General Fund Revenues.
The question becomes...
What should we do now to be prepared for ANY unforeseen action by others?.
This decision will be made at the next LCSD School Board meeting.
The discussion may include...
*The possibility of capping the ISL at 5% to 7% instead of the previously defeated 10% rate
*Using a fixed rate ISL versus an adjustable rate if an ISL is pursued
*Length of term for the proposed ISL
*Forget the ISL and go to a Cash Reserve Levy
*Deal with any shortfalls with more cuts
Please attend the meeting December 8th.
Just out of curiosity how much does a Family Y membership cost? Is it more than $53? Is it possible that the membership costs might need to be raised if we expect the Family Y to replace the middle school sports program at LCS?
What should we use in the community to replace the middle school music and fine arts program?
In My Opinion we need to return to the polling booths and once again vote on the ISL. The sooner the better.
If 90% of the other counties in Iowa have this tax to help the school system, why in the world wouldn't we agree to do the same for our children? I don't know about you, but I take pride in the town I live in and I want other schools to come here and be impressed with our facility, our kids, and our town. I am proud of the teachers we have and I am especially grateful to Dr. Wendt for the job he does. (by the way, Dr. means doctorate degree...do you have that?) He earns every penny he gets for what he has to deal with and the hours I am sure he works. I know I wouldn't want that job.
Instead of looking for ways to cut expense, is there any way we can be looking at more ways to increase revenue? Charge more to get into games and events?
I also want to make a comment about intramural sports. I agree the Y does a good job and we should have more intramural teams in town, the problem is finding parents who will step up and help coach. Those who do help end up getting yelled at by the parents. People who volunteer their time should not have to put up with that.
We, as a community, need to support each other. Rather than rip each other apart, let's start working together to build up our schools and town. Get involved. Get educated on the issues. Let's start making a positive difference. It's really sad to think that people who send their kids to the public school are voting no.
To Spice of Life:
I agree with most of what you say.
The problem is that because of the separation of church and state, what you believe cannot be taught in a public school.
What you are doing in effect, is making the case for a parochial school environment.
To vote for ISL because of what you mentioned that won't be available in a public school defeats the purpose.
I understand, respect and even follow your core beliefs, they just do not apply in a public/state school setting. Sadly, the ACLU would be all over you if you even tried to put those in place at LCHS.
Hi all,
I have sent my kids to this school and they all have succeeded in life because they were afforded a quality education. Iowa roots are strong in family values and education. LeMars Community ranks high in those standards. Dr Wendt and administration and board members want to give the childern the best possible education they can. I agree we do not need more brick and sticks but we are responsible to leave our childern with better than what we had (that is what my father and my grandfather left me.) Most of what has been discussed has not addressed the root issue to the solution. The ISL is important because it will provide the students with a level playing field that 90% of the state of Iowa already has. I do not want to hand our kids a bottom feeder level education.
The state of our nation or this community is bigger than one mans supposed mistakes. We need to get back to the pillars that made this country the envy of the world. Here is the root answer not just a bunch of finger pointing:
1. Get back to Judeo-Christian beliefs lived out everyday.
2. Strong sense of sacrifice for a better education system(last time I checked everyone walks through the doors of education).
3. Free enterprice system (people that can work should work-not be handed a check for laziness)
4. Thankful reverence to an awesome God (back to number 1) that wants us to depend on him not our limited source of energy and talent
If we don't get back to those pillars this is what other civilizations have experienced (what number are we at right now:)
1.
From bondage to spiritual faith;
2.
From spiritual faith to great courage;
3.
From courage to liberty;
4.
From liberty to abundance;
5.
From abundance to complacency;
6.
From complacency to apathy;
7.
From apathy to dependence;
8.
From dependence back into bondage'
God, family,country,and the OLD American way!!!!
For the record, this whole ISL thing stinks!
Pay them now for their mistakes in the budget or shamed into hurting the kids. The did this on their own, yet we are shamed into fixing their mistakes. Classic!!
Perfect training to run for federal office....
Bailout anyone?!
Let's just say that we want to keep our kids off the street and being productive. I am for that 100%. Bored kids get into trouble. Known fact. The YMCA is the perfect outlet. Lest we not forget: YMCA= Young Men's Christian Association.
As for public school involvement, getting the kids ready to take a more active role as they progress from youth sports to high school sports.
Let me give you one example: there is NO active role with the varsity football program and the youth tackle football program in this town.
Wouldn't you think that if you wanted a "feeder" program of kids to understand the varsity playbook and structure of the program they would be more involved?
Harlan and Heelan will continue to win because they get it. I guess the LeMars coach(s) does not.
There are plenty of quality kids playing football in this town. The Bulldogs should be reloading, not rebuilding.
That starts with the people that hire the Activities Director, the AD and members of the coaching staff who "don't get it".
So, while this is a tax thing, it is also a people thing. Please don't lose sight of that as well.
Localized intramural sports would let more kids actually play. We have an outstanding YMCA organization in this community. I believe they concentrate on the kids having fun, and the coaches don't get enough credit for what they do.
School directed sports on the other hand, do an excellent job of weeding out the non athletic types in favor of winners searching for that state championship.
Perhaps the taxpayers should be asked to pay for math, science, reading, and hands-on classes kids will actually use someday(FACS is one example). If you want your kid to be the next saxophone sensation or the next Brett Favre, those elective endevors should rest more heavily on the parents of the kids involved.
I have 2 kids in the public school. I voted against the ISL twice, and it was not over $53.
Before cutting the middle school/freshman athletic programs at LCS our school board and administration would be wise to talk with members of the Sioux City Community School Board and administration about the negative repercussions that school district experienced and continues to experience after cutting their middle school athletic program over a decade ago. If they did they would find out that school absenteeism, poorer academic performance, an increase in delinquency, an increase in gang involvement, and and increase in alcohol/substance abuse were some of those negative repercussions. If they talked to representatives from the Sioux City schools they would discover that the Sioux City school district has learned from its mistake a decade ago and that is why that school district is well on its way to rebuilding its middle school sports program.
In My Opinion the answer to the current budget shortfall is not to be found in the elimination of extracurricular activities which promote team work, competition, social skills, character,dedication,commitment, etc. etc.
If the decision is made to cut these programs will middle school music and arts be the next programs placed on the chopping block?
In My Opinion we need return to the polling booths and once again vote on the ISL. The sooner the better.
these arguments have already been stated in past articles and debated by other posters. these posters below obviously dont know what they are talking about.
i am merely suggesting that you actually learn about what is happening instead of stating your silly ideas. we dont want to take any steps backward in educating the general public on this matter, so please dont spread the seed of naivety.
however, i dont really have time to fully argue this matter. so if you really care, and i hope you do, i suggest you educate yourselves on your own.
thanks guys
I think our school board members need to remember they have been elected by the community
to do the best job they can for the children who
attend LCS. I also agree that Mr. Wendt and other
members of our administrative staff should be taking cuts in their paychecks to help with the
current financial situation.
But I also think if our school board is really looking into the areas they need to save money on, then they need to explain to the community how they purchased the Well's building
to have their administrative staff offices in, instead of leaving them housed in the school buidlings they were already in? And how this purchase came to be without a community vote. Seems to me, selling that building and moving back to the original offices would bring some
much needed income back into the school system.
I would rather continue with the programs our
students deserve to have, and extra curricular activities, then have our superintendent, and school board sitting in cushy offices that weren't needed to begin with. This gets back to living within your means, and concentrating on
what it important. The education of our children
and the right to be involved in activities that will enhance their lives, and further our students
needs. Not the needs of the school board and our
administrative staff. You need to remember who pays your checks, and it is the taxpayers of Le Mars. Think of the students who utilize the T&I
programs, music programs, and sports programs.
The scholarships these programs give those students to go on to college, and possible the jobs they will fill in their futures. How can the fees be changed to continue with these programs.
What kind of fundraisers could be done to continue these programs. Look at the parents who
went above and beyond to continue the T&I program
already this year. The school board and administrative staff at LCHS need to get back to the basics and remember who employs you and who you are doing your jobs for.
People,
The newspaper cannot print every detail of the budget or comments made at a board meeting in a single article. However, they are recorded and public knowledge. If you have questions, please go to the board meetings, listen and ask questions. Or better yet, make an appointment with Dr. Wendt and sit down and discuss your concerns with him. Do I agree with everything that's been done in the past. Not at all, but I have a better understanding of the budget process and what takes place at the state/federal level after going to these board meetings and asking questions of our board members. May you all have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Reminds me of what is happening on Wall Street. The big guys make all the money and don't know how to manage, but they still come out on top with millions and millions of dollars. Never once in the above article was there anything about Dr. Wendt getting a cut in salary, but rather eliminating 3 teaching jobs. I believe the teachers are more valuable in the system than Dr. Wendt being paid an extreme amount of money.
Welcome to the honest realization that we all have to live within our means.
wow. what a bad deal. not sending my kids to your schools.