Tax Rate in the Certified Budget for FY16

It is that time of year when school districts in Iowa must certify their budgets for the coming fiscal year, by April 15 according to Iowa Code.  This year knowing exactly what to certify is more challenging than usual due to the Iowa Legislature not establishing Supplemental State Aid.  As an aside, per Iowa Code Supplemental State Aid for FY16 should have been established by the Legislature in February 2014.

Iowa schools are bound to implement a tax rate no higher than they have certified.  This puts districts in the position to certify the highest possible rate when State Supplemental Aid is unknown.  Presently, it appears that Supplemental State Aid could be set from the Democrats' proposal of 4% to the Republicans' proposal of 1.25%.  A Supplemental State Aid of 0% is also within the realm of possibility if the two sides fail to reach a compromise.  Iowa Code dictates that in the lack of an agreed upon Supplemental State Aid number from the Legislature, it defaults to 0%.

Due to our increasing enrollment, the higher the Supplemental State Aid increase, the higher our tax rate.  So, the district has posted and anticipates certifying a budget based on 4% Supplemental State Aid.  If the Supplemental State Aid would, and it likely will, come in at less than 4%, the district's tax rate will be lowered to reflect the implemented Supplemental State Aid number.

Currently the CCA tax rate is $15.06/$1,000 valuation in the historic Clear Creek district and $15.26/$1,000 in the historic Amana district.  The $0.20 difference is due to the Amana Library Fund.  In the budget that will be recommended to the Board in April, using 4% Supplemental State Aid, the tax rate is $15.76/$15.96.  If Supplemental State Aid were to be 2%, the rate would be $15.69/$15.89.  In the event of 0% Supplemental State Aid our rate would be $15.60/$15.80.

The increase in our tax rate is due to a couple of factors.  First, while the valuation of the CCA district increased, it increased at a slower rate, due primarily to the commercial property tax rollback that has been implemented.  Commercial values are rolled back to 90% this year and will be stabilizing, so the district will likely begin to see our traditional increases again in the near future. Typically, CCA has seen a valuation increase of approximately 8%.  Another reason for the increased rate is our need to utilize the cash reserve levy.  This levy allows the district to levy for cash when we have the authority, but the funds lag behind from the State.  The two primary examples that generate the need for cash reserve levy are our growing enrollment, CCA receives the "authority" for new students in the year that they begin attending, but the cash doesn't come from the State until the following fiscal year.  The other need for the cash reserve levy comes from the special education deficit.  Again, districts are granted the "authority" for special education costs, but the cash must be generated through the cash reserve levy.

The debt service levy will again be $4.05/$1,000 of valuation.  There will not be a change in our debt service levy for the foreseeable future and it can not increase from $4.05.

In my opinion we are likely to see a Supplemental State Aid of 0% or 1.25%.  While that will result in a lower tax rate for CCA patrons, it brings with it another set of challenges.  We will have to implement larger class sizes and postpone adding staff to programs as our enrollment grows in order to maintain the fiscal health of the district.

If you have questions please email me: timkuehl@ccaschools.org, or call:  319-828-4510

Tim Kuehl, Superintendent

Legislators representing the CCA district:

STEM Center, The ACE Program

The ACE Mentor organization of Eastern Iowa includes countless community members involved in teaching high school students the value of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education in a very innovative and contextual format. Through partnerships with local, regional and national organizations, students and other members from our community collaborate with professionals from the (ACE) Architectural, Construction and Engineering professions.

Our community and country at large is facing a severe shortage of young people interested in STEM careers, especially those focused on the areas of ACE. We have listened to countless employers, higher education institutions and current skilled professionals in our community discuss the alarming shortages of current and future skilled workers in the technical areas of ACE.

Clear Creek Amana school district has partnered with the Eastern Iowa ACE Mentor program and many other area organizations to participate in a design/build project for area high school students and interested community members. This project began in October with a national record-breaking kick off at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Throughout the following student/mentor meetings in November, December and January, a preliminary design of the building was conceived.  With the aid of industry mentors from Shive-Hattery, a working set of construction documents is nearing completion.  This summer, students will continue to participate in the program through an on-site build of the STEM Center.  This project will engage high school students and community members in a contextual event to educate and excite future STEM and ACE leaders. Once complete, the STEM Center will be utilized for future STEM programming. The STEM Center concept is an ideal project on many levels towards the promotion of STEM opportunities at earlier grade levels.

The Vocational Training Council of the Greater Iowa City Homebuilders Association and the Eastern Iowa ACE Mentor Board will oversee all facets of work described above. Through grant funding from the Greater Johnson County Community Foundation, the Vocational Training Council (IC HBA) in partnership with Kirkwood Community College will serve as the general contractor for the build portion of the project. This responsibility will include the construction supervisor role as well as teacher of the multitude of students and other volunteers working on the project. CCA administration and faculty are discovering news ways to utilize the STEM Center to teach multidisciplinary lessons.

The ACE Mentor program welcomed over 150 students throughout the fall design meetings and we have expectations of an enrollment of 100+ for the actual build. There will be a core group of students that work on the jobsite throughout the summer.  These students will spend a minimum of 100 hours on the project to gain experience in the ACE industries while earning college credit.  Students who are unable to spend that amount of time, but are interested in participating will be welcomed as they are available. During the construction, we invite community members to join the students. We’ve selected specific days for student families, friends, and community members from all areas of interest and skill. A Doodle poll is shown near the bottom of this article.

Community engagement for the STEM Center has been far reaching throughout all stages of development.  Industry sponsors and community leaders have stepped up to finance the bulk of this project knowing the impact it will have for our students today and in the future. The STEM Center is projected to have a value of $350,000.  The following sponsors have collectively contributed most of the in-kind and monetary sponsorship towards the construction of this project thus far:

Hills Bank and Trust, Greater Iowa City Home Builders Association, Greater Johnson County Community Foundation, Kings Material, Croell Ready Mix, McCreedy-Ruth Construction, T&K Roofing, Metal Design Systems, James Hardie, Engineering Building Design, Shive Hattery Architects and Engineers, LADCO, Schrader Excavating, Plumb Supply, Randy’s Carpets, Cullen Painting, Beisser Lumber, Gilcrest-Jewett, ACH Foam, MBA Concrete, Confluence Architects, Masterbuilt Concrete, Steve’s Electric, Prairieland Fine Carpentry, Klostermann Construction, Heery International, Nelson and Sons Plumbing, ACME Electric, A-One Geothermal, Martin Construction, Sueppels Siding and Remodeling, Overhead Door, and Cabinet Works.  With news of this project spreading, many more companies are finding ways to participate.

The ACE Mentor program has extensive history and success in educating and promoting STEM related activities. The unique partnerships created with industry and education enables tremendous opportunities to reach students and other community members on multiple levels.

If you would like information on how to become involved in this or related projects, please email Joe Greathouse from Kirkwood Community College at:  joe.greathouse@kirkwood.edu

If you would like to volunteer on the construction crew for the STEM Center (no experience needed), please visit this Doodle poll to sign up:  http://doodle.com/ryadxxgdggvztsfv

Please also visit the following websites for additional information: www.explore-ace.org  and www.acementor.org

Education Funding Information

The following information comes from the Iowa Education Coalition.  At CCA we are fortunate to have a growing student enrollment, which positively impacts our general fund revenues.  While we are not in a situation to have to reduce staff, due to the underfunding from the legislature; we are having to take a hard look at when we add teaching staff.  CCA has a long tradition of maintaining smaller class sizes, especially at the elementary level.  As we look at the very real possibility of 1.25, or even 0% State Supplemental Aide those class sizes come into jeopardy.  We are forced to rethink our stance on where we add a teacher to the staff.  Example, a class in a given building is at 51 students, in the past we would have split that into three sections, now we are having to strongly consider having 2 sections of 25 and 26 students. 

At CCA we have long prided ourselves on meeting student needs, partly by creating an environment with smaller class sizes.  At this point that environment is in very real danger.  Without at least 4% State Supplemental Aid we will be financially forced to increase our class sizes in order to maintain the fiscal health of the district.  

Please contact your local legislators to share your thoughts on funding for K-12 education in Iowa.

Sincerely,

Tim Kuehl