Give the Gift of Reading to Children This Christmas!

The single most important thing that a parent can do to help their child acquire language, prepare their child for school, and instill a love of learning in their child, is to

read to them. Many people do not fully understand the enormous, positive impact that this simple act has on the life of a child. 

When someone reads to a child, they are exposing that child to more than just the words on the page; they are demonstrating proper speech patterns, the basics of how a book is read (i.e., from left to right, top to bottom, etc.), and the excitement that reading can bring. While learning to read occurs throughout the school years, preparing children to read before they start school is better than helping them catch up later. Pre-reading skills, such as reading from left to right, turning pages as you read, and understanding that letters make the words that make up stories, are critical for children to learn prior to their first day of school.

In addition to planting the language seed and preparing a child for school, reading aloud to a child may do something even more important, instill a life-long love of learning and create a bond between the child and the individual who is reading to them. When a child is being read to, there are no other distractions that are taking that adult's attention away. In today’s world where everyone is reachable at all times, it is rare for a child to have time where they are the priority and nothing else matters. 

Reading to a child is a great way to connect with your child and build a bond around learning. One way to do that is to select books that are enjoyable to both the parent and the child. Try reading books that you remember from your childhood. These books can bring back positive memories that you can then pass on to your child while reading. If you are excited about reading to your child, your child will be excited to listen. The more you do it, the easier and more fun it will become. Soon it will be part of your daily routine and it will be the easiest and most fun way to prepare your child for their future.

With all of the information available pointing to the general importance of reading to children, what are some specific recommendations? As long as the reader and listener are interested in what is being read, it doesn't matter what the book is. Even picture books and language in simple children’s books will enhance a child's learning and vocabulary because of the conversations between the parent and the child which take place around books and stories. Some of the best books to read to children are rhyming books because they help emphasize patterns of sounds that are helpful to the child when they begin to sound out words and letters. The greatest and longest lasting benefits have been shown in children who are read to three or more times a week.

Reading to a child can make learning and achieving in school easier. So, with the holidays coming up, instead of a buying new toy that may be played with only a few times, buy them a book that you used to love as a child and read it to them. You will have fun, create a wonderful bond, and help them learn all at the same time.

"Tornado Safe Room"

Most of our readers have probably seen articles in the newspaper, or on TV news, about the "Grand Opening" of the tornado safe room in Alta.  This event was held on December 15th to celebrate the school taking possession of the building after the substantial completion date.  I have had the privilege of being a part of a number of building projects and remodeling projects in schools and this is the first one that was actually "substantially complete" on the originally scheduled date.  This is in large part to the great work of our architect (WWA), the general contractor (L&L Builders) and all of the sub-contractors working together as a team.  

"Substantially complete" does not mean totally done.  There are a few items left to compete.  The newly remodeled elementary office is totally complete and we have begun the process of moving in.  Elementary office operations and the newly constructed main entrance will be in use immediately after the Christmas break.  The procedure for entrance into the building remains the same as before construction.  Visitors (after the beginning of the school day) will need to push the intercom button to the left of the door to request entrance.

One part that the school has not yet taken possession (at the time of writing this article) is the preschool space.  The finish work on the floor was not accepted by the owner (the school), and work to correct it has been scheduled to begin January 2nd. 

Originally, the plan was to relocate the preschool over the holiday break, but that will be put on hold until that work on the flooring is completed and formally accepted.  It is entirely possible that the preschool will remain in its current location for the remainder of the school year, at this point, with the final move taking place over the summer.  Not what we had hoped for, but in my mind, that facility is going to stand for many years after most of us are gone.  It is more important that it is completed to our intended specifications rather than rushing to get moved in.  Overall, the work has been impressive and all parties have been great to work with on this exciting addition to our school system!

Filling Their Backpacks

John Dewey said, "Education is not preparation for life. Education is life."

     There are few professions where you can see the impact of your work so vividly. There aren't many jobs where hero, friend and mentor are part of the job description. There are few careers that have such a lasting impact on an entire generation.

     I like teaching. I like learning about teaching. And I especially like reading others' teaching philosophies. I love it when teachers select analogies, such as, “teaching is like lighting a bonfire”, or “teaching is like giving students wings”, that explain, instruct and inspire.

     For me, teaching is a little like stuffing a backpack. You know the ones I mean, the heavy-duty, oversize backpacks that students shoulder down the halls of our schools. In these metaphorical backpacks, students carry with them the knowledge and skills they will need for their journey through life. When students enter our classrooms, their backpacks have already been partially filled by families, life experiences and other instructors. The backpacks are deep and sometimes it's hard to see what they are carrying in there.

     Through our teaching, we attempt to place items in our student' backpacks. All children do not arrive to school with a backpack full of the same experiences, nor are they all equally full. When students first enter our classrooms, we must determine what is in the backpack and begin filling from there. We add the foundations of language, reading, mathematics, the mechanics of writing and skill development. We pack in sharing and caring, character development, listening skills.  Art, music and physical wellness are placed in the pack as well.

     By this time, the students' backpacks are pretty full, but we're not done yet. Our next job is to expand their backpacks so that more will fit in them. We do this by asking them to analyze, question and think.

     As children grow and mature, we ask them to look at what is in their backpacks and apply the items to real world situations. Sometimes, we can actually see their backpacks grow during class as they experience new ways of thinking about an issue. And sometimes students have to discard something from the bottom of their backpacks that has lain there, unexamined, for many years to make room for a new idea.

     The good thing about stuffing a backpack is that it’s a lot of fun!  We also know that as soon as students are out of our sight, they dump things out of the backpack to lighten the load. With these characteristics in mind, we can't just force items into the backpack. We have to get students to want to carry our backpack stuffers around. So we try new things in teaching. What do students discard?  How can we get items to stick around longer in the backpack?  Will this exercise expand that backpack or not? Mistakes are okay, because we can always try again. In addition, we find that the students might not notice how heavy the backpack has become if the stuffing process is interesting and even entertaining.

     As students move through our school system, eventually they leave us. Hopefully, they take with them backpacks that are full of all the tools they need for a fulfilling life. Our sincere desire is that they journey farther than we have, see more, and achieve more. And somewhere along the way, they'll pull something out of their backpacks and think of a teacher who placed it there.

Preparing for Parent/Teacher Conferences: A Few Helpful Tips for Parents

As a school administrator, I’ve seen and been involved with a lot of different parent-teacher conferences. Teachers are encouraged to contact parents for both positive and negative reasons and nothing replaces a face-to-face conversation.  In my experience, often times parents are uncomfortable in a parent/teacher conference setting.  Most want to be a positive and productive part the discussion, but are unsure how to approach the meeting.  Below, are a few tips that will help you navigate your child’s parent-teacher conference and make it a more positive experience.

Know who your child’s teachers are. This one seems fairly simple and straight forward, yet there are parents that are unsure about whom their children’s teachers are.  This is somewhat understandable with children changing grade levels and new staff being hired over the summer.  It is important for parents to get to know their children’s teachers. Many teachers send home weekly newsletters in elementary, and all teachers are to have a teacher page on the school’s website. These are places to start to get to know the teachers prior to that first parent/teacher conference.

Don’t drop in unexpected. Teachers are professionals, just like doctors, lawyers, ect... Unfortunately, they are not often given the same privileges or courtesies. If a teacher has an opportunity to prepare for the meeting, it will make the actual conference go much more smoothly. This is why we have scheduled parent/teacher conferences throughout the school year. This way parents and teachers can have uninterrupted time to talk about your child’s education and progress. If, for some reason you were unable to schedule a time for your child’s parent/teacher conference, please contact the office and the building secretary can help you set one up.  Our goal is always 100% attendance.  It is that important to us as a school district.

Encourage your child to take ownership. Nothing is more detrimental to a conference than to have discussions about parent and teacher responsibilities without discussing the child’s responsibilities. I look at learning as a triangle: it cannot be complete without all three—the teacher, the parent(s), and the child—doing their part. The habits that children establish in school will follow them into college and beyond.

Don’t focus solely on the grade. Straight A’s seem ideal, but the letter grade may not reflect whether or not your child is getting everything out of school that he or she can. Is there something more they can be accomplishing?  It is possible (and we see this often) that a student who experiences academic success early in school will begin to “coast”, or assume that school is easy for them. As they approach intermediate grades and middle school, this can create a lackluster set of study habits.  Additionally, if your child is having some difficulty in a class, you need to evaluate whether or not they’re still learning the material.  Just because a student has a low grade (or a grade lower than you want to expect) doesn’t mean they aren’t learning anything; they may just be struggling with a particular type of assignment in the class.  Have that discussion with the teacher, whether they are getting all A’s or having some struggles, “Is my child learning the material?” and “Is my child progressing (showing improvement)?”

Hold the teacher accountable for grading procedures. If a student earns a certain grade, the teacher should be able to explain why the student received what they did. Make sure to ask about the grading rubric for the class so that the teacher can explain the breakdown of what those grades mean. A student may have 15 perfect grades, but if they are all homework, that will only take the student so far until they reach quizzes and tests. Most classes now are not graded solely based points, or percentages. Showing competency on grade level standards also factor in quite often now. 

Don’t reach out to the principal until you talk to the teacher. If you call the principal about an issue in class, one of the first questions to come up will be, “Have you spoken with the teacher?”  Until this happens, nothing of merit will come from the conversation. Make sure to communicate with the teacher first, particularly with regard to grading and behavior. There’s often no need to involve the principal. Additionally, don’t be alarmed if a teacher asks for the principal to be present during a conference, particularly if the teacher is less experienced.

Keep the meeting about your child. A parent-teacher conference is intended to be about your child, and how they are doing in class. The topic needs to stay on that. The conversations sometimes begin to veer off course and become about another student, or unrelated issues outside of school. If this occurs, either the teacher or the parent should politely redirect the conversation back to how your child is doing in school.

Don’t share too much personal information in the conversation. Because of the nature of teaching, teachers are privy to more information about a child than most. However, this should not be a license to share everything you have to say about your child’s life outside of school, another parent, family issues, gossip, or other non-relevant information.  Keep the information you share centered on your child.  If the information you are sharing is pertinent medical, academic, or social information, then the teacher may be able to use that information to help your child be more successful in class.

Teachers understand that you are looking out for your child.  They want you to be confident in their classroom expertise and in their ability to encourage learning and growth.  By using these tips, I hope you can positively shape your next parent-teacher conference and give your children the best opportunity for success.

Reorganization Passed! ... Now What?

On Tuesday, September 12^th, the reorganization vote for the Alta Community School District and the Aurelia Community School District passed by very wide margins.  The support was more than we had expected and truly inspiring.  This was a historic day that will mark the beginning of the newly formed Alta-Aurelia Community School District.  The new school district is slated to begin, officially, on July 1^st 2018.  So, what happens now?

For the users (students, parents, staff) very little changes.  The new district will function, systemically, just as it has through whole grade sharing.  No grade level assignments will change in the near future, nor building assignments.  We felt it very important for the students, parents and staff to maintain that consistency that has, for the most part, functioned very well over the past six years.

When we first started whole grade sharing, we took a systems approach in most everything we did.  We aligned curriculum together, purchased and adopted new materials together when needed. We set academic and student achievement goals together. We planned and brought elementary students together for field trips/pep rally’s/special events. We held all of our professional development together. We maintained the same budgeting practices, and ordered supplies/materials together.  All of this was to meet two goals. First, it enabled both school districts to become more efficient financially and educationally.  Second, to make the transition from elementary (which were separate) to middle school and high school as seamless as possible socially and academically for our students.  We also now believe that it was this systems thinking approach that has helped ease the transition from whole grade sharing to reorganization for our communities and patrons.

Moving forward, the following are some of the things (but probably not all) that need to occur between the vote passing and the start of the next school year:

• ·         New 7 member Alta-Aurelia School Board will be formed from existing Alta and Aurelia board members. This will be reduced to 5 board members prior to the start of the new school year.
• ·         Appoint an acting superintendent, acting school board secretary, and school attorney
• ·         Align and develop school board policies by first examining the existing Alta and Aurelia board policies
• ·         Written descriptions of the new boundaries of the school district need to be filed with the county auditors office of each county
• ·         Reorganization of real estate records
• ·         Align faculty and support staff salaries and benefits
• ·         Combine budgets, revenues and expenses
• ·         Official notification to Iowa Department of Management
• ·         Official notification to Iowa Department of Education
• ·         Consolidating special levies
• ·         New identification lettering on all buses and small vehicles
• ·         Combining or closing bank accounts
• ·         Possible issuance of a new tax I.D. number

This is not an all-encompassing list but it shows that there is a great deal to complete between now and July 1^st for the new board.  This is an exciting time to be a Warrior!

Alta-Aurelia School Reorganization Information and Frequently Asked Questions

On Tuesday September 12th, the vote for school reorganization will take place. After 7 years of successful sharing, we are preparing to create a newly formed Alta-Aurelia School District.  These are truly exciting times!

When patrons go to vote, they will actually find TWO ballots to be approved by the public on September 12th.  

The first one, "Reorganization Ballot Proposition A" is to approve the reorganization of the Alta Community School District and the Aurelia Community School District to become the newly formed Alta-Aurelia Community School District.  This is the vote for reorganziation.

The second one, "One-Cent Sales Tax Revenue Purpose Statement Ballot Proposition B" is to approve a Revenue Purpose Statement for the use of funds received by the school district for the expenditures allowed in law.  Currently, both Alta and Aurelia have separate Revenue Purpose Statements.  These become invalid with the newly formed district so this needs to be approved by the public for the newly formed Alta-Aurelia Community School District. If not approved, the new Alta-Aurelia Schools can not legally spend the revenue received from the state-wide one cent sales tax.

It is NOT a new tax.  We are already receiving the funds from the statewide penny tax (which is formally called the State of Iowa Secure an Advanced Vision for Education fund or SAVE).  We use these funds to purchase computers and other forms of educational technology, buses, small vehicles, maintain buildings and grounds, replace roofs, and pay for remodeling, renovations, and construction projects.  By using the dollars from the statewide penny for these projects, we are able to keep propery taxes low for our patrons.

Will my property taxes go up?

The short answer is "No."  The first three years, you should actually see your property taxes go down.  Part of the financial incentives to reorganize is a $1 reduction in property taxes the first year. The tax rate comes back incrementally over the next three years. Even after those first three years, property taxes will remain at the low rate we have become accustomed to.

Alta has a Debt Service Levy (Bond Issue). Who's going to pay that off?

The Alta School District passed a bond issue in 2001 to construct the part of the building that contains the gymnasium and classrooms originally used for middle school (now converted to high school rooms). This bond issue expires at the end of fiscal year 2021.  Payment of this Debt Service Levy will remain with the tax payers in the historical Alta School District until paid off (one fiscal year after reorganization would begin).  Reason for this is that the bond issue was passed solely by Alta taxpayers and Aurelia taxpayers did not have the opportunity to vote on the special levy. Also, it will be paid off only one year after the reorganization. The current rate of the Alta Debt Service Levy is $1.20.

How will the School Board be made up?

After the reorganization vote passes,  a seven member transitional board will be formed from existing board members.  Four members appointed from the Alta School Board, two members appointed from the Aurelia School Board and one member appointed unanamously at-large. This make-up is determined solely by school district population.  For the year prior to the reorganization beginning, this board will work solely on the reorganization issues.  During this time BOTH the Alta School Board and the Aurelia School Board will remain intact.  So for one year we will actually have three school boards, Alta, Aurelia and the transitional board.  

In July of 2019, the seven member transitional board will be reduced down to a five member board consisting of existing board members. This new board will serve as the first Alta-Aurelia School Board. Three members will be appointed from the Alta Board, one appointed from the Aurelia Board and one appointed unanamously at-large.  This board will remain in tact and in effect for the first two years of reorganization. After the first two years of reorganization new members will be voted on as current member terms expire.  Terms will be staggered so not all member terms expire on the same year.  This means no major change in board governance until the 2021 election.  New members will be voted on at-large.

What changes will happen after reorganization?

Since we have worked hard to operate as one school system from the beginning and run efficiently as possible the past seven years, we anticipate no change in service or grade alignment in the immediate future.  To the students, parents and staff there will be major no changes seen.  We will look for additional efficiencies in transportation and other operational services but in the classrooms and buildings the day after reorganization will look just as it did prior to reorganization.

We currently need all of the educational space and buildings we are using to serve students. There are approximately 475 students being served in the Alta building and approximatley 315 students being served in the Aurelia building. Both buildings are running at capacity with a little room for growth.  Both facilities are needed and will continue to be needed as we are anticipating enrollment to remain stable to slightly increase over the next few years.

In future years, when the opportunity arises to become more efficient in how we deliver education or become more efficient in operations, they will be explored and acted on as needed.

All patrons living in the Alta and Aurelia school districts are encouraged to get out and vote on September 12th.  Absentee ballots are being accepted. Contact your county courthouse for information on absentee ballots.  These are exciting times and we appreciate the communities' continued support.

If there are any questions or comments, feel free to contact Mr. Evans at either the Alta Community School or Aurelia Community School.

Early Childhood Education - The Foundation of a Great Education

The academic, emotional, social and physical development of young children has a direct effect on their overall development and on the adult they will become. That is why understanding the need to invest in very young children is so important, so as to maximize their future well-being. The Alta-Aurelia school system takes the development of our early learners very seriously. We take a research-based, developmental appropriate approach for our Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten, and Kindergarten programs. Each of these programs is aligned with the Iowa Core Curriculum Standards, and is every day/all day programs. Each of our Early Childhood programs employ fully licensed teachers with Early Childhood Education endorsements.

Reasons for a Quality Preschool Education

1. Brain development is highest during the first four years of life. The brain is forming important neural paths to help develop the child's ability to perform and function and learn well. Children are able to learn at a rapid rate and want and need to learn new information. Your child can benefit immensely when interacting in a quality preschool, which is content rich with appropriate information and materials.

2. Structure is vital for the young preschooler and children thrive in a loving, structured environment with stimulating colors, sounds, textures, classroom layout, varying activities and books. Children learn routines and expectations and begin to look forward to the next activity.

Once they are settled into the structure and routine of the preschool classroom, a solid framework is established for their future school career which will be much more structured and demanding.

3. Social skills are important to learn at this age rather than waiting until Kindergarten age or later. Social skills such as learning how to listen, nice talk, brave talk, taking turns, apologies, when to say please and thank you, how to speak in a group, helping each other, learning compassion and empathy.

4. Academics are now being emphasized more than in past years because there is more research substantiating that a child is able to learn and perform more than what we used to expect.

Are all children going to learn to write letters well at the age of four? No. But given the opportunity to have a writing center with all different kinds of writing utensils and paper, the child will begin to strengthen fine motor skills, which are needed to learn how to write properly. Kindergartens expect the child to enter school knowing how to print the alphabet, numbers 1-10 (some 1-20), write their first and last name, display basic social skills and have an ability to comprehend and follow directions.

What is Transitional Kindergarten (TK)?

Transitional Kindergarten, often referred to as TK, is an exciting educational opportunity for kindergarten age students with late birthdays. It is the first phase of a Kindergarten program that uses age-appropriate curricula aligned to the Common Core State Standards. Transitional Kindergarten acts as a bridge between preschool and Kindergarten and is designed to provide our youngest 5 year old learners with the pivotal skills and experiences needed for success in Kindergarten. Students eligible for Kindergarten are also eligible for TK.

Entering Kindergarten at an older age is an important early predictor for student success. Some studies indicate that students who are older when they enter Kindergarten demonstrate a significant boost in academic achievement, self-confidence, and healthful attitudes about school and learning.

How is Transitional Kindergarten different from Preschool?
The standards, curricula and teacher credentialing requirements in Transitional Kindergarten are different than those in preschool. Transitional Kindergarten is aligned to the Common Core State Standards, is an academic program, and is taught by fully credentialed teachers. Transitional Kindergarten builds on the skills children may have learned in preschool.

How is Transitional Kindergarten different from Kindergarten?

The curriculum in Transitional Kindergarten is modified to meet the needs of younger students. Transitional Kindergarten includes an emphasis on oral language development, literacy immersion, number sense, and it provides collaborative experiences that promote cooperation, self-confidence, self-regulation and healthy attitudes about school and learning.

Parents of Kindergarten age-eligible students, in consultation with the school principal and/or staff, may request enrollment in a Transitional Kindergarten program. Parents must sign a Kindergarten Continuance Form verifying their understanding that they are enrolling their child in a two-year Kindergarten program.

For questions concerning the Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten and/or Kindergarten programs in Alta and Aurelia, or to find out how you can enroll your child, please contact the building principals at the Alta Elementary and Aurelia Elementary. We are proud of the programs we are developing and we enjoy helping parents learn more about them.

Reorganization Petition and Information

At the April 10th board meeting, both the Alta School Board and Aurelia School Board unanimously approved moving forward with the reorganization petition and collecting signatures. In my opinion,this is a HUGE step forward for our school districts and communities. Click HERE for a link to the petition.

Our goal is 400 signatures from Alta residents and 300 signatures from Aurelia residents. Once those goals are achieved, the process moves forward for the AEA's to approve the petition and hold their required meetings.  Right now, the target date for a vote is September 2017. If that becomes a bit too aggressive, we would look at February 2018.

The reorganization would go into effect with 2019-20 school year.

Copies of the formal petition, talking points, and signatures sheets are located in all of our school offices.  If you are a resident of either the Alta School District or the Aurelia School District, at least 18 years old, and a U. S. citizen, you can sign the signature page yourself. A signature indicates that you are in agreement with the reorganization going to a vote of the people, not that you agree with the reorganization or that you aggree with the wording or the petition.

Reorganization Talking Points:

Long-Term Stability. - When you are sharing, the contract can be undone by a vote of the school boards. Reorganization eliminates any reservations about separating in the future. This creates a long-term, stable environment for students, parents and faculty.

Property Tax Relief - rates are reduced the first year of reorganization by $1 and return to normal incrementally over a three year period of time. Year 4 is back to normal, so three years of property tax relief

Alta Debt Service Levy – The current Alta School District has a Debt Service Levy (Bond Issue). That bond issue will continue to be paid by residents of the current Alta School District until it is paid off completely. Currently $1.20. Ends 2021. Current Aurelia School District residents will not have their tax rates affected by this levy, even after the reorganization.

Jointly Employed Whole Grade Sharing Incentives - By passing reorganization prior to these incentives sun setting (FY2019), they will carry over for an additional 3 years after the reorganization (roughly 1/2 a million dollars in financial incentives we would not otherwise be able to gain over that period of time)

Current Grade Alignments to Remain Intact  – For students, teaching staff, and parents the school system will continue to function immediately after the reorganization just as it currently operates with grades 9-12 in Alta, grades 5-8 in Aurelia and each maintaining a PK-4 elementary. No immediate changes are foreseen.

The Final New 5 Member School Board Will Be Comprised of Current Board Members – Once their terms begin to expire, all board seats will be filled “at-large.” Candidates must live within the boundaries of the newly formed Alta-Aurelia School District.

Reorganization and New Opportunities

The next step in the process is reorganization, or what we used to commonly refer to as consolidation.  The Alta and Aurelia school boards have heard from schools that have successfully gone through this process. They have heard from the Northwest AEA Chief Administrator to review time lines and procedures, and they have sought joint legal counsel to begin setting the process in motion.  Exciting times. It is understandable that there will be apprehension and questions along the way, as this is definitely a major change in how we organize and govern our schools.  All questions are welcome as we progress.

• Stability - Whole grade sharing is only as stable as the length of your contract and the wording in the contract.  The sharing agreement for the past 6 years has been very positively received. Reorganization will ensure continued stability both now and into the future.

• Tax Rate Incentives - When districts reorganize, they receive a property tax relief incentive. The first year, property taxes are reduced a full dollar.  The next three years the property tax rate raises incrementally until it is fully restored. So we get three years of reduced property tax rates. Any loss of tax revenue is made up through state aid.

• Financial Incentives Through the Jointly Employed Sharing Funds - these will carry over for an additional three year as long as we reorganize before 2019, according to current legislation.

• Debt Service Levy - Currently, the Alta school district has a Debt Service Levy (voter approved bond issue) of approximately $1.20.  It is the agreement of the Alta and Aurelia school boards that this levy rate will remain with the residents of the existing Alta school district until it is paid off in 2021 if we reorganize prior to that date.

To the "user" (parents, students, staff) not much will change in the day-to-day operation of the district. Reorganization will allow us, over time, to realize addition efficiencies in operation, saving money to be returned to the classroom for our teachers and students.  Truly, exciting times!

The Alta Community School District and the Aurelia Community School District entered into a whole grade sharing agreement, beginning with most extra-curricular activities in 2010 and academics at the high school and middle school levels in 2011. Last July, both school boards agreed to extend the original 5 year whole grade sharing agreement to an additional ten years.  This shows confidence in the educational system we have created and a desire to create stability.  

So, what is the difference between whole grade sharing and reorganization?

In Whole Grade Sharing, two school districts agree to share students, classes, and staff but remain separate school districts. The two districts maintain separate school boards, separated budgets, and separate taxing authorities.  Currently, Alta and Aurelia whole grade share student in middle school through high school and all extra-curricular activities.

In Reorganization (commonly referred to as ‘consolidation’).  Two separate school districts join to become one new district with one new school board, one budget and one taxing authority. 

Whole Grade Sharing requires action taken by the school boards to approve.  Reorganization (consolidation) requires a vote of the public passed by simple majority.

There are pro’s and con’s to each.  In the current Whole Grade Sharing Agreement between Alta and Aurelia there are a number of shared positions for which both districts receive additional funding (superintendent, business manager, transportation director, curriculum coordinator to name a few). This additional funding would not be available if the two districts consolidated.  

For districts that vote to consolidate, there are some financial incentives.  If we, as a school system, begin to act now we could be eligible for a form of sharing incentive call "Jointly Employed."  Districts are considered jointly employed districts when they are so closely aligned that they function like one district.  Salary schedules, professional development plans, and teacher evaluation instruments, all need to be the same.

Alta-Aurelia has all of the pieces in place to be considered jointly employed districts and can be eligible for roughly $144,000 in additional funding for the next two years. This is above the operational sharing funds.  If we vote to reorganize prior to or at the end of those two years, that additional funding carries over for the first three years of reorganization. Stretching two years of additional funding into five years of additional funding.

Some positives about reorganization at this time:

School Funding, State Aid and Property Taxes

Iowa law guarantees that every child in the state receives an “equal” amount of money to fund his/her education. A district’s budget is basically derived from the number of children enrolled in the district multiplied by the district’s cost per child. However, economic factors change from year-to-year, and it is up to state lawmakers to decide just how much to increase the cost per child to reflect that change. This increase used to be called “allowable growth" and is now referred to as "State Supplemental Aid Increase."

Patti Schroeder, education finance co-director for the Iowa Association of School Boards, explains the principle this way: “Under the basic finance formula, each district’s spending is based upon a district cost per pupil. The total amount the district is allowed to spend is that per pupil amount times the number of students enrolled. A district can spend less than the maximum, but cannot spend more.” So in this way, school districts are budget limited in what we can spend. We have limited flexibility to increase revenues and spend authority through the current tax system.

An allowable growth rate is recommended by the Governor and established by the Legislature. The rate is multiplied by the state cost per pupil to calculate an allowable growth amount per pupil. All districts receive the same amount per pupil. Allowable growth per pupil is intended to further provide equity in school districts throughout the state. The legislature set a principle that each child is worth the same amount, no matter where he/she lives. Recently our legislature set an allowable growth rate for school at a 1.0% increase. This equates to an increase of $67 per student.

Local property taxes account for one-third of the total funds going into districts’ programs and represent about 40% of the overall state property tax funds levied. The state's school funding formula largely determines school property tax rates and, therefore, the amount each district receives in state aid.

People often ask, "Why don't we just remove property taxes from the formula entirely?" There are several reasons why this isn’t a wise move.

• It would take away roughly $1.5 billion dollars statewide, leaving lawmakers to decide whether to raise the state sales tax or income taxes to make up that difference.

• Property taxes also add stability to the funding of school districts. For example, if we operated solely under the sales tax, the amount available for school funding would surely fluctuate depending on consumer spending.

• Just as many people found out during the 1990s, too much reliance on a single funding source invites large swings in funding, which isn’t good for an entity unable to adjust to midyear revenue changes. Diversification is a prudent investing strategy that applies to schools as well.

Considering the aforementioned reasons and the present revenue and political climate, removing property taxes from the school finance formula seems unlikely.

Due to changes in our school district's budgeting practices, whole grade sharing, and operating as lean as possible, we have been able to maximize our local and state funding sources. This, along with increased property valuations, has allowed our local school property taxes in both the Alta and Aurelia school districts to come down over the past 4 years. If the current trend from the capitol to underfund schools continues, taxes will go back up.

No public official, whether our local school board members and administrators or the city and county officials, take the impact of raising property taxes lightly. In most cases, public officials exhaust all other options before asking property taxpayers for more funds. However, when the General Assembly cuts short our state aid and we experience additional, unforeseen expenses such as increased fuel and energy prices, we really have no alternative except to raise local property taxes or reduce expenditures.

Seventy-five to 85 percent of school district budgets are comprised of salary and benefit costs, which doesn’t leave much discretionary spending to cut. No one likes property taxes, but they are an essential part of efficient funding of our schools.

Next year's tax rate for Alta taxpayers will be set at $9.69 (a $2.00 reduction from last year). The tax rate for Aurelia taxpayers will be set at $8.52 (a reduction of over $1.00from last year).

We are fortunate in the short term that local Alta-Aurelia School District taxes will be reduced. This is a direct product of the school reorganization that will take effect on July 1st. For school's reorganizing, the foundation levy is reduced by the state from $5.40 to $4.40 the first year and gradually increases back to $5.40 over the next three years.

Currently, 70% of the total Alta-Aurelia levy rate is determined by the State's school funding formula. 15% of the total levy rate is voter controlled and 15% is controlled by the school board. The

Once all school districts establish their budgets based on the combination of state aid and local property taxes they receive, there are still many restrictions on where and how that funding can be spent. This is known as "Dillion's Rule" and will be a topic of discussion in a future article.

School Bus Safety Reminders

As the second semester progresses and we look forward to the coming Spring weather, drivers should remain vigilant as students and school buses are on the roadways in sometimes deteriorating conditions. That means: Put the cell phone away, set your cup of coffee down, don't look in your rear-view mirror to fix your hair. Concentrate on who and what is around you. Our ultimate goal is to make sure everyone safely arrives at their destination. Motorists should avoid distractions and obey school bus and school zone traffic laws so we have the safest possible environment for students boarding and exiting buses.

"Kadyn's Law," in memory of Kadyn Halverson, went into effect in Iowa with the governor's signature March 16, 2012. The 7-year-old first grader from Kensett was killed by a driver who had illegally passed a stopped school bus.  This provision increases the penalties for drivers who fail to abide by the law (Iowa Code 321.372) on stopped school buses. Previously, a motorist who passed a bus when the red warning lights were flashing was fined $200. The new Iowa law increased the penalty to at least $250 and as high as $675 for a first offense and up to 30 days in jail. For subsequent violations, a driver could face fines of up to $1,875. A driver who violates the law and causes an injury could face added fines, jail time and license suspension. 

In addition to the situations described below, drivers should never pass on the right. Violations of Iowa's motor vehicle laws should be reported to local law enforcement. 

Scenario 1 – You are traveling on a two-lane or three-lane

• Nearing the bus from the rear; drivers must always stop when either the amber lights or red lights are flashing. Stop no closer than 15 feet from the bus. 

• Meeting the bus from the front; drivers must slow their vehicles to 20 mph when amber lights are flashing. Stop when the lights change to red and the stop arm comes out. Remain stopped until the lights stop flashing and the stop arm is withdrawn.

Scenario 2 – You are traveling on a road with two or more lanes in each direction

• Stop if nearing the bus from the rear when amber or red lights are flashing. Stop no closer than 15 feet from the bus.

• When meeting the bus in one of the opposite two lanes (or more), you do not need to stop even if the bus has stopped with lights flashing and stop arm out. The bus is not permitted to load or unload children who must cross this type of roadway unless there are official traffic control devices or police officers present.

Below are a few safety reminders for school bus riders (parents, please remind your students to follow these rules.)

1. Be alert to traffic. Check both ways for cars before stepping off the bus.

2. Make eye contact with the bus driver. Wait for the bus driver’s signal before you cross the street.

3. Walk in front of the bus; never walk behind the bus to cross the street.

4. While waiting for the bus, stay in a safe place away from the street.

5. Never go under the bus to retrieve something you’ve dropped.

6. Never walk in between buses.

7. Be aware of backpacks or loose clothing that could get snagged on bus doors or hardware.

Investing in Early Childhood Education

The emotional, social and physical development of young children has a direct effect on their overall development and on the adult they will become. That is why understanding the need to invest in very young children is so important, so as to maximize their future well-being.

Research has shown that much of what you need to succeed in life is established before you enter kindergarten. During that time, the human brain undergoes rapid development; it’s a period when a child builds cognitive skills (the foundation for reading, math, science and academics), as well as character skills, social-emotional growth, gross-motor skills and executive functioning, which includes everything from impulse control to problem solving.

Research also states that children who attend early-learning programs demonstrate higher levels of school achievement and better social adjustment than those who have no formal early education. They’re less likely to repeat a grade or be placed in special education classes, since learning issues can be identified and mediated early. Children who have had formal early-learning experiences are also more likely to graduate from high school.

The Alta-Aurelia school system is helping our communities to invest in our children's early development in a number of creative ways that will not only help ensure our children's future success, but also make our towns attractive places for young families to live and grow.

Alta Preschool/Tornado Safe Room

The Alta Communty School District has received a grant from Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management totaling over $1,022,000 to help the district to construct a modernTornado Safe Room attached to our existing Elementary/High School building.  This will greatly improve the safety of our school for students, staff and visitors.  

When not being used as a storm shelter, the space will be utilized as up-to-date preschool classrooms designed for the current best practices in early childhood education as supported by Head Start standards and the Iowa Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program standards.  

Plans are being developed currently, the the current timelines scheduling ground breaking this coming Spring! The construction will not require a bond issue or any raising of property taxes.  The school district's finacial contribution will be supported by the one cent sales tax (SAVE Fund), and the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy currently in place.

Partnerships with Day Care Boards

Both the Alta and Aurelia schools are working hard to help our communities fill the severe need for quality, affordable and accessible day care.  There are fewer in home providers in our small towns, which places a huge burdon on existing young families, and becomes a deterent for attracting new young families to our communities.

The Aurelia School District has a long standing history of working with the local communith day care that goes back to when it was hosted at the United Methodist Church. Eight years ago, the Aurelia Day Care was moved into an existing classroom to create space for 20 children.  

The need for day care has out grown the existing space, so the Aurelia Day Care board has been able to obtain funding through grants and low interest loan programs to build their own building. The Aurelia School District will continue to partner with the Aurelia Day Care board through a long-term land lease (providing space for the building to be constructed) and a food service agreement (providing low cost meals to day care children).  

The building is currently under construction with the goal of opening shortly after the 1st of the year.  The new space will provide day care for up to 52 children!

In Alta, the school district has partnered with the Ready, Set, Grow day care board to provide space on the first floor of the old high school building for use as a community day care. Ready, Set, Grow currently occupies 2 newly remodeled classrooms to provide day care space for 20 children (infants through toddlers). Additionally, a partnership exists between the day care and the school through a food service agreement for the school to provide low cost meals to the day care children.

Before and after school day care for school aged students continues to be offered at the Elementary as has been the case for a number of years.

Long range plans are to offer additional space to Ready, Set, Grow day care, as their need grows, and space becomes available after the relocation of the current preschool.

The Boards of Education for both the Alta and Aurelia Community School Districts recognize and support the need for accessible day care and quality early childhood education programs as an aid in growing our communities, preparing our children for their future success, and meeting the needs of young families.  

These are truly exciting times to be a part of Alta-Aurelia!