H-M-S property tax rate continues downward trend

The Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Community School District's property tax rate will continue its downward trend in the upcoming fiscal year.

The 2024-25 levy rate approved at Monday's school board meeting is $12.56 per $1,000 of taxable valuation. According to Superintendent Patrick Carlin, H-M-S's property tax rate has declined since the high of $13.29 following passage of the bond issue in 2018.

Published property tax rates were $13.09 for 2021-22, $12.94 for 2022-23 and $12.85 for the current year. The final levy rate for 2024-25 is lower than the $12.74 which property taxpayers saw on a notice they received last month.

During a review of the budget, Carlin explained that spending authority determines the maximum amount the district can expend. Authority is not the same as available cash. He added that unspent authority is important, for it indicates the financial health of a district.

"We're in really good shape," he noted.

• ISL continuation

Renewal of H-M-S's participation in the Instructional Support Program will be on the May agenda, when a public hearing will be held and the board will vote on the matter.

The current Instructional Support Levy (ISL) was renewed in 2019 for five years. According to Iowa law, the amount generated cannot exceed 10 percent of the total regular program district cost. The ISL is funded through a combination of property tax and income surtax.

Carlin said the amount raised by the ISL is "pretty significant," and failure to renew it would seriously impact the district's General Fund.

• Personnel, other business

Darla Walburg, elementary associate, and Janet Rozeboom, food service worker, are retiring at the end of the year. Resignations were accepted from Steve Waechter, high school PE teacher; Ashley Tessum, high school assistant girls' basketball coach; Jaden Kleinhesselink, middle school assistant track coach; and Jay Eilers, middle school head baseball coach.

A contract was issued to Korey Ebel to fill Eilers' baseball coaching position.

The board has begun the required periodic review of district policies. Series 100 was approved with the addition of a newly-required policy, and Series 200 was accepted without any changes.

• Conditions for Learning survey

Parents and staff are completing the Conditions for Learning Survey in conjunction with Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) testing. The survey focuses on physical safety, emotional safety, adult-student relationships, student-student relationships and expectations/boundaries.

At the middle school, higher-performing eighth graders in math and reading are partnered with fifth grade students to work on math facts and reading comprehension. The eighth graders also serve as role models for the younger students.

"I think it's been good for both the fifth graders and the eighth graders," Principal Heidi Douma noted.

The high school leadership team is looking at ways to build on the current mini-courses. They will be visiting Okoboji High School to see the advantages of their May Term.

"Our goal is that we would provide our students with relevant learning experiences that help them become more well-rounded and more successful when they graduate from our school," said Principal Blake Wendt.

Carlin reported that a middle school girls' wrestling program will be added next year. Nine girls have indicated interest in participating. The season will coincide with the middle school boys' basketball season, with five meets scheduled.