Focus on priorities: List for schools will be tallied and presented to state legislators

By MARK NEWMAN Courier staff writer

OTTUMWA — Educating kids takes a lot more than books and buses. But to get what they need from the state, school districts will focus on just a few priorities.

“We get a lot of support from our area elected officials, and our school board remains appreciative of that fact, because not everybody has it that way,” said Ottumwa Superintendent Jon Sheldahl.

He recently presented and received approval on a list of five “legislative action priorities” for 2009-10. Along with other Iowa districts, these priorities will be tallied and presented to state legislators as the things schools really need. The majority of public school funding in Iowa comes from state sources.

“First, we are asking them to fully fund the instructional support levy; they’ve cut way back on state support [of that fund], and more of that has to come from the local levy,” he said. “It was originally intended to be fully funded by the state.”

Also on the minds of boards across Iowa, Sheldahl said, is the “allowable growth” issue, which is the amount of money generated per student. But it’s not just “growth” because while each student may bring in a few dollars more, the overall district income will still depend on how many children they have.

This year, Ottumwa — and the Iowa Association of School Boards — will request 6 percent allowable growth in order, Sheldahl said, to “catch up” after a series of cuts dating back to 2001.

“Our third priority is professional development content,” he said.

This will be the model that allows working teachers to keep up on the latest proven techniques in education, which, it is hoped, will translate into improved student achievement.

As for the fourth issue, Sheldahl said, it’s actually just funding for the necessary professional development.

Priority No. 5 is something local officials at every level have expressed concerns about: Laws that order actions to be taken with no money provided to take that action.

“We oppose unfunded mandates,” Sheldahl said. “Legislators come up with laws that are good for kids and families, but you find out there are costs involved. A lot of good ideas come with a price tag. So if they include [money to implement the idea], that would be appreciated.”

The district does have money for its own mandates, like keeping buildings in good repair. With a 1920s brick building, the bricks need to be replaced or repaired.

“We set aside about... $40,000 for tuckpointing this Ottumwa High School project,” Sheldahl said. “That comes out of our maintenance fund.”

This week, the board allowed the amount to go up by $8,000 for the project, but they were not shocked, Sheldahl said. The problem is the cost is about $14 per brick, and builders don’t know how many bricks will need to be repaired until they actually start the job: It could be more than estimated, or less than estimated.

The good news, said Sheldahl, is that brick repair and replacement on the high school is one more section away from completion.



Soccer program

One other building project could be read as good news, too.

The district will invest $87,000 in the soccer field, giving it equal drainage and irrigation to their football field. So what does that kind of spending say about soccer in the Ottumwa school district?

“It’s here to stay,” said Sheldahl. “It’s increasing in popularity, and both girls and boys soccer we get good levels of participation. It’s going to continue to grow.”

Sheldahl said he considers high school soccer to be a success.

“We may not see as many wins, maybe, as some of the more established programs, but my [definition] of success is participation, and we have good numbers.”

The renovation should start in the fall.

“We’re hoping to have that done in time for spring soccer 2010.”

Mark Newman can be reached at 683-5358 or by e-mail at mgnewman@mchsi.com.

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