At the regular board meeting on November 20, Leah Stier was appointed to fill the Kingsland School Board vacancy created when Deb Larson resigned from the board for medical reasons. When the other board members (Doug Plaehn, Ann Oeltjen, Jackie Horsman, Tiffany Mundfrom, and Heather Betts) each named their “top choice” from among those being considered, Stier was named by three of the five board members. A motion to appoint her as the new board member passed four to one (Horsman voted against). Stier will fill out the remainder of the term that Larson had been elected to serve.
Tiffany Mundfrom gave a summary of the most recent meeting of the Finance/Facilities/Personnel committee. Jackie Horsman summarized the recent meeting of the Policy/PR/Curriculum committee meeting. Amber Uhlenhake gave a budgetary update, including that she’ll soon be submitting a budget revision for the current fiscal year. Hecimovich shared that the Wall of Honor event went well, and had over 70 people in attendance.
The board heard an audit summary from Jason Boynton, representing the accounting firm of Smith Schafer & Associates. Boynton stated that overall, the audit resulted in an unmodified “clean” report. He pointed out that over the course of many years, Kingsland has had “declining student numbers, but it’s kind of leveled off.” Regarding revenues, he shared that Kingsland gets 64% from State aid (roughly $5 million), and the next biggest piece is local property taxes, which is 24% (roughly $2 million). He summarized that, “Overall, the district’s in good shape.” The board voted to approve the audit as submitted.
The board heard a report on outstanding SACC fees, which totaled $951. It was discussed that these SACC (School Age Child Care) uncollectable fees often result when families move from the area. The board voted to OK this amount as a “write-off.” Jackie Horsman stated, “We really need to look at that policy and reinvent the wheel,” to avoid such write-offs. Doug Plaehn agreed, saying the policy needs to have “some teeth to it.”
Interim Superintendent James Hecimovich gave public thanks to State Farm for a $500 “Good Neighbor” grant, Kingsland School Parents (KSP) for food for elementary staff during conferences, and V & H volunteers Jennifer Evans, Sharon Schmidt, Lisa Snitker, Sarah Warren, and Carlene Hatley.
No visitors had signed up to address the board. Students gave updates on FFA, including that the recent fruit sales had been completed and exceeded the goal. Key Club students highlighted their recent lock-in, at which they played games and made tie blankets to donate. They also mentioned the recent haunted house, and blood drive, which yielded 41 units of blood (capable of saving up to 123 lives). There was also an update from students representing the student council, highlighting their Pumpkin Bowl event, Candy for your Boo’s fundraiser, Sadie Hawkins dance set for January 13, and upcoming candy cane sales event.
The board scheduled a study session regarding facilities for November 27 at 6:30 p.m., with a “rain date” of November 28 at 6:30 p.m. if the meeting needs to be changed. The board adjourned about 7:05 p.m. The annual Truth in Taxation hearing is set for December 18 at 6:01 p.m., with the regular board meeting to follow at 6:30. As always, the public is welcome.