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!

So, what is the difference between Whole Grade Sharing and Re-Organization?

During our recent November school board meeting, the Alta and Aurelia boards participated in a presentation and discussion facilitated by Dr. Tim Grieves, Chief Administrator with Northwest AEA.  He presented on the topic of reorganization.

Primarily he lead the boards through Iowa Code 275 and how this relates to school reorganizations, the timelines involved, and the process as a whole.  Discussion was held on not only Iowa Code, but also how to structure a newly reorganized school board, petitions, and dates a vote can legally be held.  Many questions were asked concerning pro's and con's of reorganiziing school districts, examples of reorganization processes that have been most successful, and pit falls in the process to avoid.

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.  The boards are now learning more about a move to reorganization to determine if and when we should move to a true k-12 school merger through reorganization.

In re-oganization (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 a vote of the school boards to approve.  Re-Organization (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 efficiencies gained and a small property tax incentive for three years.

The above mentioned loss in funds will not only be off-set by both districts applying for "jointly employed" funding, but funding would increase considerably for the final year of the whole grade sharing and the first three years of the reorganization . The districts are eligible for "jointly employeed" funding now that they have the same professional development plans, similar salary schedules, and utilize the same evaluation process and instruments.

As the boards move forward in learning more about reorganization, information will be made public. Once it is determined to pursue if reorganization is the proper fit or not for our situations, public surveys will be used, along with pubilc meetings and newsletters to get accurate information out to the public prior to any formal decisions being made.

Personally, as long as Alta and Aurelia remain together in whatever fashion the school boards and communities see fit, I view it as a huge positive. As I am out visiting classrooms, I witness more students in the elective classes than in years prior to the sharing agreement.  Elective courses that would have literally had 2 or three students in the past now have double digits.  Small class sizes are great, but there comes a point where a class is so small that it impedes education. In some of our elective classes, that is where we were when we were separate.

Because of our now larger student numbers, we are able to offer more elective classes at the high school and more exploratory classes in the middle school than we have been able to offer in many years, and possibly ever.  Advanced Science classes have been developed, expanded offerings in Business, Family/Consumer Science, Business and Industrial Technology are now offered. Multiple sections of elective classes as well as multiple sections of required classes are now offered, where, prior to the sharing agreement, only one section may have been available in the schedule.  This gives students greater choice and flexibility to take classes in their areas of interest and need.

The extra-curricular and co-curricular offerings are richer together than when we were separate.  Increased numbers have allowed for for multiple levels of competition in many of our activities.

There are strong numbers in our music programs at both middle school and high school.  Interest is high and we anticipate those numbers continuing to increase.   Greater numbers in many of our co-curricular and extra-curricular programs gives us the opportunity to now have truly developmental programs.  Students aren't forced into situations where they have to compete at levels above or below their skill levels, as was the case at times when both schools were separate.

The board of education for both Aurelia and Alta meet at joint monthly board meetings.  Each gets to hear the discussions of the other district and both boards are taking a keen, positive, interest in the business of the other. If you were to walk in the board room as an observer, I think it would be difficult to determine who was an Alta board member and who was an Aurelia board member. The discussion is positive and forthcoming. There is a sense of "team" that has been developed in the board room.  This is not only exciting and positive, but it will continue to have a positive impact in the classrooms and our students' educational experience.

There are two questions that I have continually asked myself over the past six years, "Are we better together than on our own?" and "Is being together better than the alternatives both school districts faced for their futures?" Based on what I am currently witnessing, the answer to both questions is a definite "Yes!"  I for one am looking positively to the future as Alta and Aurelia continue to grow together for the benefit of our children’s education.