A Truth in Taxation hearing was held at the December 19 Fillmore Central school board meeting. The board reviewed the 2019 payable 2020 levy request and the current budget. The proposed levy came to a total of $1,453,179.43 which is a -12.90% difference from last year’s. The levy was approved.
Dean of Students Chris Mensink reported that the matinee and evening K-6 holiday concerts were well-attended. “Mr. Patterson and Mr. Ledin both did a great job,” he said. Principal Heath Olstad noted that the concerts at both the elementary school and high school were excellent. “I’ll just add Sarah Holten’s name with Mr. Patterson and Mr. Ledin,” he said.
Mensink noted that the annual label race is coming up in January. “It may be the last one,” he said, explaining that the Box Tops for Education program is switching to digital label collecting.
The dress-down days held in November and December were successful at raising money for the Cords family and the Fillmore County Food Shelf. Students and staff pay a dollar to wear a hat or something similar to school. The district plans to continue the dress-down days once a month to raise money for local needs.
A resignation from daycare employee Sydney Huffman was approved as well as a medical leave for gym teacher Maggie Walsh. A teacher contract with Heidi Brown was approved for the second semester and the seniority list was revised to include her.
An open enrollment request was received and approved for a Kingsland student to attend Fillmore Central.
The 2020 driver training fees were set for the same amount as last year. The cost is $330 for Fillmore Central students, $380 for out-of-district students, and $40 per hour for extra behind-the-wheel time.
A fund transfer was approved in the amount of $672.00 from the milk assistance fund to the healthy snack break revenue account for families who need assistance paying for healthy snack fees. Board member Deb Ristau asked if the school also has negative lunch balances, noting that unpaid balances are an issue frequently seen in the news. Superintendent Richard Keith noted that there are always some lunch balances that are in negative numbers, and the district encourages families to apply for Free & Reduced lunch assistance.
The district’s 2013 X730 lawn tractor has 530 hours on it and needs new tires. It was recommended that a quote be approved to trade that tractor in for a new four-wheel drive X738 lawn tractor from Preston Equipment. The new tractor will include a new mowing deck, but the school will keep its current snow blower, broom, cab, and vacuum. The quote was approved.
As Superintendent Keith will be retiring at the end of the 2019/20 school year, the board approved a posting for the vacant position.
The next Fillmore Central school board meeting will be held on January 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the high school meeting room. The date was changed from the 28th due to basketball games.
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