School Business Official, Anita Frye, presented on the fiscal year 2023 budget at the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Board of Education meeting on Monday night. She noted that the headcount enrollment for the district went up by 38.8 students this school year, which impacts what the district receives from the state for funding.
As published a couple of weeks ago in the Monitor, the proposed tax levy rate for the next fiscal year for the district was $13.27902 (per thousand dollars of taxable value) for the former Clarion-Goldfield part of the district and $12.75158 for the Dows part. This is only a cent or two higher than last year’s levy which was $13.265 and $12.725 respectively. Frye again emphasized property tax did not increase due to the building projects. Ultimately, the budget was approved.
The board approved a one-time bonus of $500 for classified staff and administration, including paras, bus drivers and nutrition staff. This does not include the Superintendent or coaching positions. The district will pay these bonuses meaning they will not be reimbursed by the state like the $1000 teacher’s retention bonuses.
In the Superintendent’s report, Joe Nelson gave a construction update. The gym walls at the middle school are now going up. At the baseball/softball complex, turf is starting to be laid on the fields. Nelson hopes that the softball field will be completed by the end of April and ready for the season opener in late May.
Nelson added that the district has added an additional 45 students since count date in October. He emphasized that they will have to keep adding staff to accommodate for new additions but they are happy that the district is thriving.
The board approved employment contracts for Elaine Robertson – Elem Strat II, Patricia Tegland – Elem Title I, Jaylyn Heeren – Volunteer HS Girls Golf Coach, Dawn Sherman – HS Secretary, and Amanda Carpenter – Executive Administrative Assistant. They also approved summer custodial help. They approved the resignations of Anne Ries – Kindergarten Teacher and Jay Klaver – MS Boys Track Coach.
