LCS board looks at Camp Quest financial implications

At the June 8 board meeting, a citizen asked the board to sell the property as it was no longer used by the school district.

At that time, the board directed Superintendent Dr. Todd Wendt to look into the original purchase and how money received from a potential sale could be used by the district.

Wendt reported his findings to the board Monday.

The property was purchased by the school district for $2,000 from John and Mae Smid in 1967.

Check 0296 was drawn on the School House Fund for $1,950, in February 1967. The School House Fund at that time would be comparable to the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy Fund which is used by the district today.

Further investigation of the check register did not find an entry for the remaining $50, although check number 0297 does not appear in the check register, Wendt said.

Wendt inquired with Janice Evans of the Finance, Facilities and Operations Services Division of School Support and Information at the Iowa Department of Education on how money received from the sale of real property purchased with school house funds could be used today.

In an e-mail to Wendt, Evans cited Iowa Code section 297.22 (1b) which states "Proceeds from the sale or disposition of real property shall be placed in the physical plant and equipment levy fund."

"It has also been determined that there is no authority in Iowa Code to transfer the proceeds to the general fund," Wendt told board members.

The Physical Plant and Equipment Levy Fund (PPEL) money is used for expenditures such as remodeling or repair of facilities, purchase and improvement of buildings and grounds, purchase of transportation equipment and purchase of technology equipment exceeding $500 in value per unit, according to the Iowa Department of Education.

Items paid for from the General Fund include the cost of providing an educational program and day-to-day operations, such as salaries, textbooks and utilities.

Wendt then said he would await further direction from them.

The property, he said, was last used by the school district about nine years ago, and is occasionally used by local Boy Scouts for campouts.

The property was used as a summer camp for Le Mars Community Junior High students for many years under the direction of science teacher Tom Bohan. The program was discontinued shortly after Bohan's retirement.

"I think the time has come and gone," Wendt said, regard a program similar to what Bohan had directed.

Newly elected board president Patrick Murphy said he was surprised at the size of the land parcel.

"I believe there is no benefit to holding on to that property," Murphy said. "Are we interested in the sale of the property?" he asked fellow board members.

Board member Mark Stelzer said selling the property will not address any financial issues for the district.

Murphy indicated he would like to talk with district residents and have the board come to a consensus in two to three months.

Wendt said he would need to look at board policy on the disposal of real property as well as Iowa Code on the procedure on selling real property.

When asked if there was interest in the parcel of land, Wendt said from the phone calls he has received inqiuring about the property, sale of the land would be very competitive.

Board members directed Wendt to work with the school's law firm to research the Iowa Code issues and report back at a future meeting.