Newton Independent

Student enrollment declines continue for Newton School District

By PETER HUSSMANN

The Newton School District continues to shed student population numbers, information released by state education officials indicate, and the district now ranks among the top five in total student numbers lost over the last five year period.

The Iowa Department of Education released its annual statewide school enrollment figures today that showed Newton with a certified enrollment of 3,006 in the current school year. That's down 30 from last year's student population numbers in the district and 261 below the student population levels seen in the 2008-2009 school year, an 8 percent decline.

Only four other school districts in the state saw larger student number losses over the last five years led by Cedar Rapids at 851, Clinton at 266, Council Bluffs at 267 and Davenport at 262.

Other school districts in Jasper County also reported student population declines this year and over the five-year period.

Colfax-Mingo School District's five-year student population levels declined 15.5 percent to 732 this school year, a loss of 134 students from 2008 school year and down 40 from student population levels last school year.

The Baxter School District saw a drop of 32 students this school year to 353 with its five-year trend showing a 7.9 percent decrease through the loss of 30 students from the 2008-09 school year.

Lynnville-Sully School District's student numbers declined by 10 in the current school year to 436. Its five-year trend shows a loss of 34 student or 7.2 percent.

Only the PCM School District saw student number gains this year and over the five-year period. Student numbers were up 9 to 1,026 this year and have increased 1 (0.1 percent) from the 1,025 student enrollment figures reported in the 2008 school year.

Statewide, the number of students enrolled in Iowa's public schools increased in the 2012-13 school year for the first time in 17 years. A total of 476,245 students were enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade this school year, an increase of 2,741 students or 0.6 percent.

"This statewide increase is refreshing news for Iowa after years of declining enrollment," said Jay Pennington, chief of the Iowa Department of Education's Bureau of Information and Analysis. "However, the reality is that this increase most likely is temporary. We see pockets of enrollment growth in the urban and suburban areas of the state, while the long-term trends show rural areas continue to experience declinng enrollment."

More specifically, Pennington said enrollment declined in 167 school districts and enrollment climbed in 170 districts.

Under state law, certified enrollment is used in the formula that determines state funding for public school districts. Certified enrollment is based on the number of students living in each school district. It also includes the "weighting" or additional funding for students in certain programs, such as students who receive assistance in learning the English language.

School district take the enrollment counts the first day of October each school year. Official numbers are confirmed by Iowa Department of Education.

Baxter
2011-12 Enrollment - 385
2012-13 Enrollment - 353
Percent Decrease - 8.2
2008-09 Enrollment - 383
Percent Decrease - 7.9

Colfax-Mingo
2011-12 Enrollment - 772
2012-13 Enrollment - 732
Percent Decrease - 5.2
2008-09 Enrollment - 866
Percent Decrease - 15.5

Lynnville-Sully
2011-12 Enrollment - 446
2012-13 Enrollment - 436
Percent Decrease - 2.3
2008-09 Enrollment - 470
Percent Decrease - 7.2

Newton
2011-12 Enrollment - 3,036
2012-13 Enrollment - 3,006
Percent Decrease - 1.0
2008-09 Enrollment - 3,267
Percent Decrease - 8.0

PCM
2011-12 Enrollment - 1,017
2012-13 Enrollment - 1,026
Percent Increase - 0.9
2008-09 Enrollment - 1,025
Percent Increase - 0.1

Benson elected to the Newton School Board seat she once held

Newton Independent

Sheri Benson, who's resignation year's ago started the musical chair that has marked that Newton School Board seat ever since, won election tonight to fill the year remaining on the term she last won in 2009.

Voters in the Newton Community School District also agreed to continue the revenue purpose statement issue on the ballot, the outline on how the district plans to use the approximate $2.2 million in state sales tax it receives each year. Voters approved the measure by a 71 percent margin, 197 to 78.

Benson ousted current school board member Joe Klingensmith, who was appointed to fill the same seat earlier this year after losing re-election to the seat in school board voting last year. Klingensmith was appointed to the vacant seat by current school board members over Benson and former school board member Darrin Hamilton.

Benson received a total of 135 votes, according to unofficial results, with Klingensmith receiving 83 votes and candidate Stephanie Bailey receiving 59 votes.

Voting today was very light. Only 290 of the 15,383 registered voters in the Newton school district participated in today's election for a voter turnout of 1.89 percent.

 

Poll opens at noon in special Newton school district election

Newton Independent

The poll opens at noon Tuesday in the special Newton Community School District election to select one board member and renew the district's revenue purpose statement.

Election officials are using just one polling site for the election. All voters in the district will cast ballots at the Jasper County Community Center located at 2401 1st Ave. E. Polling continues to 8 p.m.

Voters will select from Sheri Benson, Joe Klingensmith and Stephanie Bailey to fill the year remaining on the term. Benson was initially voted onto the board in 2009, but soon resigned. The board appointed Melissa Hintz to fill the unexpired term, but she did not seek election to the two years remaining on the term at the next school board election. Jeremy Heaberlin ran unopposed to fill the remaining time on the board, but he, too, soon resigned. The board appointed Joe Klingensmith, who had been voted off the board at the election last year, over two other candidates seeking appointment, Benson and former board member Darrin Hamilton.

This is Bailey's first run at public office.

The special school board election became necessary after the Newton School Board called for a special election to renew its revenue purpose statement, an outline how the school district intends to use is the approximate $2.2 million in state sales tax revenue it receives each year. The current statement expires at the end of the year. If approved, the revenue purpose statement will run until 2029.

The Newton School District plans to use the sales tax funds in the same way it has for the past 10 years when it was first approved by voters. Approximately $1.3 million of the total collected goes to the district's debt payment, which reduces the tax levy by approximately $1.73 per $1,000 of taxable valuation.

The remaining portion of the funding is reviewed on an annual basis by school board members and directed to other school infrastructure projects. The fund was recently used to enhance school building security and a recent assessment of school buildings in the district pointed out a number of needed repairs. The school board has also discussed the possibility of securing iPads for students in the district.

If 50 percent of the voters in the district do not approve the Revenue Purpose Statement, the money generated by the state penny must first be used to reduce the district's debt service levy, its Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL), and its Public Education and Recreation Levy (PERL), should they be enacted. Only after those levies are reduced can a school district use the funds for school infrastructure and other lawful purposes.

The current revenue purpose statement expires at the end of the year.

Newton School Board candidate Joe Klingensmith

Newton Independent

Editor's Note: The N.I. contacted each of the three candidates running in next Tuesday's special election for the Newton School Board asking them to provide some biographical information as well as their reasons for seeking election to the seat. The N.I. is publishing the replies as they have been received.

"I moved to Newton in 1996 and have lived and worked in this community since that time. I work locally at Keystone Laboratories here in Newton. My wife, Bev, and I have two sons. Wade is a fifth grader at Woodrow Wilson and Reed is a third grader at Thomas Jefferson.

"I have an associate's degree in criminal justice and a bachelor's degree in business management and administration. I keep busy as an active member of PTA and spent three years as a Cub Scouts leader. We belong to the First United Methodist Church, where my wife and I teach Sunday School.

"I started serving on the Newton School Board in 2008 and have gained valuable experience. I understand the time commitment and tough decisions required. As a board, we have worked diligently to see that the District has a clear mission and visions. The NCSD will do whatever it takes to ensure that all students learn to think, innovate and succeed. As a member of the board, I helped collaborate with the administration to create two obtainable and measurable goals: to have innovative, meaningful parent involvement, and to have every student engaged in rigorous and innovative instruction in every class.

"So far as a board member, I have had the opportunity to help get an excellent curriculum put in place, with several strategies, policies, and programs positively impacting students (KU strategy, EDM, PBIS, PERK, PSS, PD, Math/Literacy Coaches, curriculum mapping, 1:1 computer initiative). I am proud to be part of the team that worked hard to start the preschool program and Career Academy. I have worked to establish a good rapport with our administration and want to continue that working relationship.

"Upon occasion, I have met with Representative Kelley and Senator Black to discuss school issues and obstacles which we need to overcome. I look forward to ongoing discussions with our elected officials about local school issues.

"If re-elected, I will continue to work on my knowledge base, I will continue to put the safety of our children and first-rate education at the top of my list. I know my role as a board member and can walk the fine line of micromanaging and holding the superintendent accountable. I think the board's relationship with the administration is good, allowing us to give suggestions and challenge decisions in a positive and productive way. During tough economic conditions and our declining enrollment, we have kept the tax levy at a low rate compared to other districts. We are doing many thing well, although there is always room for improvement.

"I provide my resources in the best interest of all children in our district and I want the opportunity to continue sharing my expertise as a board member."

Joe Klingensmith

Newton School Board candidate Sheri Benson

Newton Independent

Editor's Note: The N.I. contacted each of the three candidates running in next Tuesday's special election for the Newton School Board asking them to provide some biographical information as well as their reasons for seeking election to the seat. The N.I. is publishing the replies as they have been received.

"I joined the Newton community in January 1988. Before becoming a 'stay home' mom, I enjoyed a sucessful 17-year career as an independent agent/small business owner, district sales manager and managing principal in the insurance and financial services industry. I received a master's degree in organizational leadership and a bachelor's degree in liberal studies from the University of Oklahoma in Norman.

"I believe that being a good steward with the resources entrusted to us is one of the greatest gifts that we can give to others and that learning to be a good steward is a lifelong journey. I also believe it is the responsibility of leaders not to dwell on where we've been, nor to get stuck in where we are, but to keep our eyes on where we are going and to continually communicate that vision.

"I appreciate the opportunity to raise my family in a community that encourages healthy living. I am an active participant in the community. I recently joined the OPEN board and belong to Theta Chi, a philanthropic social organization. I am a past member of the Newton Community School District School Board, volunteer SCORE counselor, United Way board member and I have participated with subcommittees for the Newton Transformation Council and the Newton Development Corporation. Prior to moving to Newton, I served on my community hospital board, senior center board, participated as a community mentor, as well as being involved with Jaycee Women and other civic clubs.

"My values are based upon my faith journey. I am a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where I share my leadership with fellow parishoners by serving on local and Diocesan Pastoral boards and the Diocesan Board of Education. I am actively involved in prison outreach at the Correctional Release Center.

"Why am I running for school board? I believe education is the key to growing people. And I believe how we are educated is in the process of changing, not necessarily because of what administrators, teachers, staff or even the board are doing or not doing. We are in a period of time more dynamic than we have possibly been since the birth of the industrial age. You can see as well as I can that all of the systems (including education) that have supported us to this point are crumbling and have been for most of our lifetimes. Something new is being formed and it will be very good. There is, however, quite a struggle continuing between what was and what shall be. I still believe that public education can be the most generous vehicle to make learning opportunities available for everyone.

"I ran for the Board in 2009 for these same reasons. However, personal circumstances caused me to resign from the responsibility and focus on putting my own 'house' in order. I believe Stephen Covey calls this 'sharpening the saw.' I am now in a much healthier position. The opportunity to finish what I started has been presented to me and it would be my honor to once again serve the families of Newton in this elected capacity."

Newton School Board candidate Stephanie Bailey

Newton Independent

Editor's Note: The N.I. contacted each of the three candidates running in next Tuesday's special election for the Newton School Board asking them to provide some biographical information as well as their reasons for seeking election to the seat. The N.I. is publishing the replies as they have been received.

"I was born and raised in Pella before relocating to Newton in 2001. My husband, Michael, and I raise three children together. Logan is a sixth grader at Aurora Heights, Ashton is a fourth grader at Aurora Heights, and Samantha is a junior at Newton Senior High School.

"I have a paralegal degree and a bachelor's degree in psychology and I have been employed as a paralegal with the Attorney General's Office since 2005. Prior to my employment with the Attorney General's Office, I worked in private practice and was also employed with Newton Manufacturing; which inspired my relocation to Newton in 2001. My husband, Michael, is a supervisor with Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino and previously served in the Army for four years.

"Although my husband and I both work outside of Newton, we are committed to Newton and to continuing to raise our children here. It is important to us to provide stability and allow them to grow up in a small, 'family-friendly' community.

"We are very involved in our children's activities and make every effort to attend as many events as we can to support them. Our boys are involved in baseball, soccer, flag football, wrestling, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts throughout the year and have previously taken piano and guitar lessons. Our daughter is invovled in band, theater, speech competitions, GSA, soccer, and is very active in community service projects and volunteering for events such as Relay for Life, as well as volunteering several hours in the past election.

In addition, I am also a member of the Aurora Heights PTA, the Iowa Association of Legal Assistants and I am a Notary Public for the State of Iowa.

"These are the reasons why I am interested in serving on the Newton Community School District Board of Education:

"As a resident of Newton since 2001, I firmly believe that our school system is the foundation of this community. I am motivated to bring, not only parents, but all citizens of Newton together to create solutions that will strengthen our schools, support our teachers, and improve the entire educational experience for all of the children in our community.

"It's no secret that Newton has suffered from hard economic times and tough decisions have been made in the past to adjust to those circumstances. It is my objective to reduce the impact of negative changes to the children (and the community as a whole) when future decisions are made and to bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to the school board. When it comes to making the best decision, sometimes it requires thinking 'outside the box' and finding creative avenues to accomplish goals and solve problems without choosing the easy way out or simply eliminating the problem. I believe our community's well-being and success depends on it.

"As a parent of three children in the Newton School District, I feel that being a concerned and involved parent makes me a benefit to the school board. Not only do I have the best interest of my own children in mind, but the best interest of every child. In our home we have always stressed the importance of education to our children, whether it is at an elementary school level or preparing our junior for college. In addition, we have always instilled values in our children that they should fight for what they believe is right and if they want something to change then they must get involved to make change happen. As a parent, it is my job to lead by example.

"While we cannot change decisions that have been made in the past, it is my goal to remain a strong supporter and an advocate not only for the best interest of the children and teachers, but also for specific areas of education, such as language and arts progras, as well as special education programs. Since my own child began requiring special education services at a young age, I have come to appreciate the incredible work that these amazing teachers do. While I understand that there comes a time when changes must occur and cuts may need to be considered, I do not believe the answer to these problems is eliminating options for our children to explore and flourish in these programs. If we do not offer options to allow each child to explore their passions and be themselves, our schools become less appealing to families who are considering a life in our community.

"Finally, I am committed to listening to concerns, helping to restore trust in the school board, and bringing the community together while working with other board members to create a strong and successful school district that we can all be proud to raise our children in."

Newton School board votes to consider sale of former administration building

Newton Independent

The Newton School Board on Monday voted to consider approval of the sale of the former central office/Maytag house, though specifics of how that might happen still need to be determined.

Following discussion in closed session, the board voted to direct Superintendent Steve McDermott to move forward with the potential sale of the the former home of Fred Maytag II that for was given to the school district more than 50 years ago.

Decisions concerning the sales price, potential restrictions on usage of the property and associated sales issues will be determined by school board members over the course of the next several meetings.

The property is no longer being used as administration office space after offices were moved into the Emerson Hough school facility this school year.

Single polling site to be used for next week's special Newton School Board, revenue purpose election

Newton Independent

Local election officials will use just one voting center when residents of the Newton Community School District go to the polls next week to elect a school board member and whether to renew the district's current use of state sales tax receipts.

All voting in the district will be held at the Jasper County Community Center located at 2401 1st Ave. E. Polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 4.

Voters will select from candidates Sheri Benson, who was initially voted onto the seat, Joe Klingensmith, who was appointed to the seat after losing his seat on the board at the last school board election, and Stephanie Bailey, who was involved in efforts to help keep Emerson Hough as a local elementary instructional site.

The special school board election became necessary after the Newton School Board called for a special election to renew its revenue purpose statement, an outline how the school district intends to use is the approximate $2.2 million in state sales tax revenue it receives each year. The current statement expires at the end of the year. If approved, the revenue purpose statement will run until 2029.

The Newton School District plans to use the sales tax funds in the same way it has for the past 10 years when it was first approved by voters. Approximately $1.3 million of the total collected goes to the district's debt payment, which reduces the tax levy by approximately $1.73 per $1,000 of taxable valuation.

The remaining portion of the funding is reviewed on an annual basis by school board members and directed to other school infrastructure projects. The fund was recently used to enhance school building security and a recent assessment of school buildings in the district pointed out a number of needed repairs. The school board has also discussed the possibility of securing iPads for students in the district.

If 50 percent of the voters in the district do not approve the Revenue Purpose Statement, the money generated by the state penny must first be used to reduce the district's debt service levy, its Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL), and its Public Education and Recreation Levy (PERL), should they be enacted. Only after those levies are reduced can a school district use the funds for school infrastructure and other lawful purposes.

When voters in the school district go to the polls on Dec. 4, they will select from candidates Sheri Benson, who was initially voted onto the seat, Joe Klingensmith, who was appointed to the seat after losing his seat on the board at the last school board election, and Stephanie Bailey, who was involved in efforts to help keep Emerson Hough as a local elementary instructional site.

Newton School Board continues to discuss future use of closed administration building

By PETER HUSSMANN

The Newton School Board discussed the future use of its shuttered school administration building on Monday but took no action in regard to the course it might take.

Board members met in closed session to discuss what it might do with the former residence of Fred Maytag II, who donated it to the school district, without restrictions, more than 50 years ago.

Without discussing directly what school board members considered in closed session on Monday, school board member Dennis Combs said that members are taking a go slow approach to its ultimate decision.

"We're trying to ensure that we are good stewards of the property," Combs said.

Personally, Combs said, he is looking to see if the property might have some future use for the school district, such as housing a particular program.

In the alternative, should school board members decide that it would be best to sell the property, Combs said he would favor efforts to "safeguard" the integrity of the residential neighborhood, possibly by asking that certain restrictions be included in the sale requiring it to be an owner occupied residence.

Combs said the school board will again discuss the matter at its next meeting.

Special Newton School Board election now set

Newton Independent

Today's deadline to file nomination petitions in the special Newton School Board election early next month passed with no additional entries into the race.

When voters in the school district go to the polls on Dec. 4, they will select from candidates Sheri Benson, who was initially voted onto the seat, Joe Klingensmith, who was appointed to the seat after losing his seat on the board at the last school board election, and Stephanie Bailey, who was involved in efforts to help keep Emerson Hough as a local elementary instructional site.

The special school board election became necessary after the board called for a special election to renew its revenue purpose statement, an outline on how the district plans to use the approximate $2.2 million in state sales taxes it receives each year. The current statement first approved by voters 10 years ago expires at the end of the year. If approved, it will run until 2029.

The Newton School District plans to use the sales tax funds in the same way it has for the past 10 years. Approximately $1.3 million of the total collected goes to the district's debt payment, which reduces the tax levy by approximately $1.73 per $1,000 of taxable valuation.

The remaining portion of the funding is reviewed on an annual basis by school board members and directed to other school infrastructure projects. The fund was recently used to enhance school building security and a recent assessment of school buildings in the district pointed out a number of needed repairs. The school board has also mentioned the possibility of securing iPads for all students in the district in the future.

If 50 percent of the voters in the district do not approve the Revenue Purpose Statement, the money generated by the state penny must first be used to reduce the district's debt service levy, its Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL), and its Public Education and Recreation Levy (PERL), should they be enacted. Only after those levies are reduced can a school district use the funds for school infrastructure and other lawful purposes.

If voters reject a Revenue Purpose Statement, a school district can bring it back to the voters multiple times, potentially with changes. (Voters in the Newton district voted against the first attempt to pass a School Infrastructure Local Option sales tax in September 2001.)

Three now vying for open Newton School Board seat

Newton Independent

With 24 hours to go until Friday's noon filing deadline, three people have now submitted their petitions seeking election to the Newton School Board at next month's special election.

School officials said that Sheri Benson, Joe Klingensmith and Stephanie Bailey have filed petitions seeking election to the year remaining on the seat at the special election on Dec. 4.

The special school board election became necessary after the Newton School Board called for a special election to renew its revenue purpose statement, an outline how the school district intends to use is the approximate $2.2 million in state sales tax revenue it receives each year. The current statement expires at the end of the year.

Benson was elected to the seat now open during the regular school board election three years ago. She resigned shortly thereafter and the school board appointed Melissa Hintz to fill the term. Hintz did not re-seek the seat during last year's regular school board election due to her pending move from the community.

Jeremy Heaberlin ran unopposed last fall to fill the remaining time on the seat, but he, too, resigned from the board earlier this year. Following his resignation, the school board decided to appoint Klingensmith, who had been defeated at the polls at the last electon, in March. He was selected over Benson and Darrin Hamilton, who also had been voted off the school board at the last election.

School district residents have until noon Friday to file nomination petitions with the school board secretary at his office at Emerson Hough School.

 

One week remains for candidates to file nominations for special school board election

Newton Independent

Individuals interested in running for the special Newton School Board election next month have a week from today to file nomination papers with the district.

The special election is set for Dec. 4 and is required after the Newton School Board members called for a special election to renew its revenue purpose statement, the method the school district plans to use its state sales tax receipts through 2029.

The open seat is currently held by Joe Klingensmith. He was appointed to the board earlier this year after Jeremy Heaberlin unexpectedly resigned just months after running unopposed to fill the remaining two years of the term. Klingensmith was voted off the Newton School Board in the fall of 2011.

School officials said that currently only one person has filed nomination papers. Sheri Benson, who had sought appointment to the seat she first held after Heaberlin's resignation, has filed nomination papers. Klingensmith has taken out nomination petitions, school officials said.

Individuals seeking to have their name on the ballot at the Dec. 4 special school board election have until noon Friday, Nov. 9, to turn them in at the board secretary's office at Emerson Hough School.

 

Sheri Benson files to run in special school board election

Newton Independent

Sheri Benson is looking to get her seat back on the Newton School Board.

The former board member, who's resignation from the board three years ago started the musical chairs situation that has had three different people holding the seat since that time, turned in her nomination papers for the Dec. 4 special election for the seat.

Joe Klingensmith, who was appointed to the board following Jeremy Heaberlin's resignation a few months after running unopposed to fill the remaining two years of the term, has taken out nomination petitions, school officials said.

Klingensmith was appointed to fill the seat over Benson and former school board member Darrin Hamilton last March. Klingensmith and Hamilton were voted off the school board last fall.

The special election to fill the seat is required after the school board voted to hold a special election for voter approval of its revenue purpose statement, the method in which the school district plans to use its state sales tax funding through 2029.

Newton School Board to discuss special election on use of sales tax money

By PETER HUSSMANN

The Newton School Board will again discuss the early December special election to renew its use of state sales tax receipts when it meets in regular session on Monday.

At its last meeting, board members set Dec. 4 as the date of the election to renew its Revenue Purpose Statement, an outline on how the district plans to use the approximate $2.2 million in state sales taxes it receives each year.

Voters in the district first approved the collection of an extra penny in sales tax locally in 2003. The measure ran for a 10-year period. Since that time, state lawmakers repealed all local School Infrastructure Local Option (SILO) sale taxes with a statewide Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) fund that distributes a portion of state sales tax receipts to local school districts.

Use of the sales tax funds is directed by the Revenue Purpose Statement.

The Newton School District plans to use the sales tax funds in the same way it has for the past 10 years. Approximately $1.3 million of the total collected goes to the district's debt payment, which reduces the tax levy by approximately $1.73 per $1,000 of taxable valuation.

The remaining portion of the funding is reviewed on an annual basis by school board members and directed to other school infrastructure projects. The fund was recently used to enhance school building security and a recent assessment of school buildings in the district pointed out a number of needed repairs. The school board has also mentioned the possibility of securing iPads for all students in the district in the future.

If 50 percent of the voters in the district do not approve the Revenue Purpose Statement, the money generated by the state penny must first be used to reduce the district's debt service levy, its Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL), and its Public Education and Recreation Levy (PERL), should they be enacted. Only after those levies are reduced can a school district use the funds for school infrastructure and other lawful purposes.

If voters reject a Revenue Purpose Statement, a school district can bring it back to the voters multiple times, potentially with changes. (Voters in the Newton district voted against the first attempt to pass a SILO tax in September 2001.)

By calling for the special election on the Revenue Purpose Statement in advance of its pending expiration, the school board is also required to hold an election to fill the unexpired term of the seat currently held by Joe Klingensmith.

Klingensmith was appointed to the board in March after Jeremy Heaberlin stepped down after winning election to the remaining two years of the term the previous fall. Klingensmith, along with Darrin Hamilton, were voted off the school board in that election.

School officials said Thursday that they have yet to receive any nomination petitions, which are due Nov. 9, from individuals seeking election to the board in December. Klingensmith previously said he was not certain whether he would run for the seat at the special election.

Newton School Board to consider sale of former administration building

Newton Independent

The Newton School Board will consider the sale of its former school administration building in southwest Newton when it meets in regular session at 6 p.m. Monday at Emerson Hough.

School board members will first hold a closed session to discuss the possible sale of the property donated to the district decades ago by the Maytag family.

The board will then return to open session to consider approval of the sale.

The former residential property was used as the central office for the district until this year when it moved to rooms within Emerson Hough school.

Klingensmith yet to determine whether he'll run for his Newton School Board seat

By PETER HUSSMANN

Newton School Board member Joe Klingensmith was non-committal when asked whether he plans to seek the seat he now holds through appointment at the special election set for early December.

"To be determined," Klingensmith said in an email response to the question Wednesday.

Last March, Klingensmith was appointed to the seat by school board members to fill the unexpired term of Jeremy Heaberlin. Heaberlin stepped down from the seat after running unopposed in September 2011 to fill the remaining two years of the term. The seat first came open when Sheri Benson stepped down shortly after winning election to another term on the board in the fall of 2009. The board then appointed Melissa Hintz to fill the seat. She did not run for election last year due to a pending move from the community.

In making the appointment earlier this year, the school board selected Klingensmith over two other former school board members who had thrown their hats in the ring for consideration, Benson, whose seat it was in the first place, and Darrin Hamilton, who like Klingensmith had been voted out of office in the 2011 school board election.

The need for voters in the Newton district to select an individual to fill the remaining year of the term was triggered by the school board's passage of a resolution on Monday calling for a special election on the allowable use of its state sales tax receipts.

In addition to selecting a school board member, voters in the district will be asked to approve renewal of its Revenue Purpose Statement on the use of the approximately $2.2 million the district receives in state sales tax distributions.

The district said it plans to use the money for expanded computer access for all Newton students. Should the measure not receive 50 percent voter approval, the money is required to be used for property tax relief.

Tuesday, Dec. 4, is the only allowable special election date left before the current Revenue Purpose Statement, first approved by district voters in 2003 for a 10-year period, expires.

Individuals wishing to run for the open seat need to submit petitions containing the names of 50 eligible voters to the Newton School Board Secretary by Nov. 9.

Special elections on school use of state sales tax, open board seat set

Newton Independent

Passage of a resolution by the Newton School Board on Monday calling for a special election to allow the district to continue to use its state sales tax receipts for school infrastructure purposes has triggered the need for district voters to again vote to fill an unexpired seat on the board.

Newton board members approved a resolution calling for a special election to renew its Revenue Purpose Statement, an outline on how the district plans to use the sales tax receipts from the state for school infrastructure purposes.

Adoption of Statement would allow the district to continue to use sales tax receipts for planned infrastructure purposes through 2029. Failure to pass the measure, which needs 50 percent voter approval, means the money would be required to be used for property tax relief purposes, such as lowering the debt service levy and the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy.

The Newton district received about $2.2 million in state sales tax for infrastructure use last fiscal year.

Tuesday, Dec. 4, is the only allowable special election date left before the school district's current sales tax Statement expires at the beginning of the year.

By calling the special election, the board simultaneously reopened for election the unexpired term seat currently held by Joe Klingensmith. Klingensmith was appointed to the seat in March after Jeremy Heaberlin, who ran for the two years remaining on the seat a year ago, stepped down.

Individuals wishing to seek the year remaining on the term need to file nomination petitions containing the signatures of 50 valid school district voters with the school board secretary by Nov. 9 to appear on the ballot.

Newton school board to consider call for special election on use of state SAVE sales tax funding; move would force election for board seat

By PETER HUSSMANN

The Newton School Board tonight will likely enact a resolution calling for a special election in early December to allow for the continued use of its school infrastructure sales tax receipts as outlined when voters first approved the collections nearly 10 years ago.

In May 2003, voters approved the collection of an extra one cent of sales tax within the school district that went to the School Infrastructure Local Option (SILO) fund for a 10-year period.

During the 2008 legislative session, lawmakers repealed the SILO sales tax and replaced it with state sales tax increase from 5 to 6 percent with the increase designated to be used for school infrastructure or property tax relief. The extra penny sales tax goes to the Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) fund and is distributed to school districts in the same manner as the SILO tax had been.

Use of SAVE funds received by school districts are designated by each district's Revenue Purpose Statement, an outline that indicates how the district plans to use the funds. Adoption of the Revenue Purpose Statement allows the district to continue to use the sales tax receipts for its planned infrastructure purposes through 2029.

With the Newton SILO tax set to expire next year, the resolution before the school board tonight calls a special election to renew its Revenue Purpose Statement. The only remaining date left this year for school districts to hold special elections is the first Tuesday in December. The cost of the election is paid for by the SAVE funds the district receives.

If 50 percent of the voters in a district do not approve the Revenue Purpose Statement, the money generated by the state penny must first be used to reduce the district's debt service levy, its Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL), and its Public Education and Recreation Levy (PERL), should they be enacted. Only after those levies are reduced can a school district use the funds for school infrastructure and other lawful purposes.

If voters reject a Revenue Purpose Statement, a school district can bring it back to the voters multiple times, potentially with changes. (Voters in the Newton district voted against the first attempt to pass a SILO tax in September 2001.)

Tonight's resolution calling for a special election, if passed, has another effect, too.

Last March, after Jeremy Heaberlin stepped down from the school board just months after being elected to fill an unexpired term, the board appointed Joe Klingensmith to fill the seat. Klingensmith was not re-elected to another term when he ran for re-election the previous fall. He sought appointment to the seat this spring, as did former school board members Darrin Hamilton and Sheri Benson, the former board member who started the revolving chair situation by stepping down just months after being elected to a four year term in the fall of 2009.

Should the board approve the call for a special election involving the Revenue Purpose Statement, Klingensmith - or anyone else - would have to stand for election to the board to fill the remaining year on the term.

Newton school district again on NCLB in need of assistance list

By PETER HUSSMANN

The Newton Community School District is one of 28 districts across the state that were identified as a district in need of assistance for the current school year under the federal No Child Left Behind guidelines.

The Iowa Department of Education today released its 2012 State Report Card for No Child Left Behind. The results show that 28 of 351 (8.0 percent) public school districts were identified as in need of assistance. Thirty school districts were identified as needing assistance last school year.

The designation marks the fourth consecutive year that the Newton district has been identified as not meeting its annual state participation goals or measurable objectives.

In addition, the report shows a total of the 1,381 Iowa public schools that provided services to students in grades K to 12 for which progress decisions were made, a total of 496 public schools (35.9 percent)were identified as schools in need of assistance. This is an increase of 6.3 percent from the 29.6 percent of public schools identified in need of assistance last school year.

Two years ago, 7.5 perccent of Iowa school districts were on the in need of assistance list and 24.9 percent of the state's schools.

Three Newton schools - Newton Senior High School, Basics and Beyond alternerative high school, and Berg Middle School - remained on the list from last year, with Aurora Heights being added as a school in need of assistance this year.

The federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires public schools and districts to meet Adequate Yearly Progress targets for overall student population and for demographic subgroups in grades 3-8 and grade 11. These subgroups include socio-economic status, limited English proficiency, race/ethnicity and special education.

Schools must meet all targets in every student group to meet its progress requirement and must test 95 percent of students in each group. Average daily attendance and high school graduation rates are other academic factors considered.

The legislation also includes yearly target increases schools must meet in order to meet the long-range goal of having 100 percent of students meet grade-level standards in reading and mathematics by 2014. The targets for the past school year, however, did not increase in Iowa because the state requested and received a one-year freeze in June, shortly after the U.S. Department of Education turned down Iowa's application for a waiver from certain requirements of the federal legislation. The targets would have increased by about 7 percent had Iowa request been denied and resulted in even a higher number of schools and districts missing progress goals.

The results, however, were linked to higher expectations set by the Iowa Core standards, the state's roadmap of what students should learn in school. A new version of the state assessment taken by students last school year was more challenging.

"Student achievement will be stronger in the long run as our state assessments evolve to match our standards, which have been raised to better prepare students for the demands of our globally competitive marketplace," said Jason Glass, director of the Iowa Department of Education.

Glass still contends that the No Child Left Behind Act holds schools to unrealistic measures and then labels those that fall short as failing. He said the Iowa Department of Education will continue to seek permanent relief from the law.

"We expect our schools to meet high standards, but we need an approach that focuses on student growth and progress in addition to proficiency on tests," he said. "Either reauthorization of No Child Left Behind must become a priority at the federal level, or our state legislature must give Iowa the ability to receive a federal waiver from No Child Left Behind, which would allow us to develop a rigorous accountability system that makes sense for our state."

The 2012 State Report Card can be found here. The stages of in need of assistance status timelines for schools and school districts can be found here.

The Colfax-Mingo Middle School is the only other school in Jasper County appearing on the assistance lists.

Newton school lunch prices to rise as part of new food guidelines

Newton Independent

The Newton Board of Education agreed to raise student lunch prices 5 cents beginning Monday as part of the federal government's Heatlhy Hunger-Free Kids Act designed to fight the rising rate of childhood obesity, as well as other health complications.

In order to comply with the new requirements, the school district was required to raise the price of school lunches. The charge cannot be less than the average price that the government reimburses schools participating in the National School Lunch Program.

As a result, the cost of a lunch at elementary schools will rise to $2.20 with middle school and high school lunches to cost $2.30.

The new standards increase the amount of fruits and vegetables students receive, reduce sodium levels in meals over the next 10 years and set calorie maximums for the first time. In addition, schools will be allowed to serve only 1 percent milk or fat-free milk for flavored milks. Servings of whole grains will be increased substantially and efforts will be made to minimize and eliminate trans fat.

Being in compliance with the new regulations, however, qualifies the school district to receive an additional 6 cents for every reimbursable lunch, including free, reduced price and paid, starting Oct. 1.

"We are required to raise the 5 cents even with the additional 6 cents we are eligible in applying for when qualifying for the new standards," said Cristy Croson, the Newton school district's food service supervisor. "The 5 cent raise is mandated by the USDA and we are required to implement this raise by Oct. 1."