Board keeps levy options open, awaits Capitol news

   With uncertainty looming over the final State Supplemental Assistance (SSA) increase figure that would be signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds, Marcy Gillmore presented a wide variety of tax levy figures and options to the Monticello School Board during its work session April 9.

   While the Iowa House and Senate had both approved a 2 percent increase last week Gov. Reynolds had not yet signed it before Gillmore needed to present a published figure on April 10.

   So Gillmore, the Monticello Community School District business manager, presented options and scenarios, ranging from 0 percent SSA to 2.25 percent SSA.

   Gillmore set a publication levy rate of $16.85663 per $1,000 of valuation – the highest rate allowed, in the event the Legislature were to approve a 0 percent increase. That option includes a management fund of $425,000.

   She emphasized that it will not be the actual rate approved by the board, especially if Gov. Reynolds does, in fact, sign the 2 percent increase. Reynolds had not signed it as of press time.

   “It will be published at our highest rate just in case something happens,” Gillmore said.

   Her recommendation for the actual rate is for $15.86502, almost a full dollar lower than the published rate, with a $400,000 management fund.

   That still is higher than the fiscal year 2025 rate of $14.66212, by about $1.20, mostly due to the passage of the bond issue this past November that will help fund a new elementary school.

   While the board will not approve a final figure until its April 28 regular meeting, board members indicated that they prefer to strike a balance in the levy between income surtax and property tax rates.

   “I think the income surtax does help split it up,” board member John Schlarmann said, “so we can try and keep that property tax as low as we can.”

   “I’m with John,” board member Mark Rieken said. “I like having the property tax as little as possible.”        

In other board business:

     • The board approved some personnel items, as follows:

   Resignation – Steph Isaac as fourth-grade teacher at Carpenter School.

   Appointments – Emily Kiefer as high school counselor for the 2025-26 school year, Tori McDonald as assistant high school softball coach, and Heather Hansen as district-wide summer technology associate.

   • The board approved a switch in district health insurance from Health Partners to Wellmark for the 2025-26 school year.

   The district had gone the other direction two years ago, switching from Wellmark to Health Partners, but decided to switch back after Health Partners announced a 45 percent increase in rates for the next school year, according to district Superintendent Brian Jaeger.

   • The board approved a 28E agreement with the City of Monticello for the School Resource Officer (SRO) program for 2025-26.

   Dawn Graver has been the district’s SRO since the district first took part in the program in 2018, but will be retiring.

   Replacing her will be Erik Honda, who will most likely start as the district’s SRO at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year, Jaeger said.

   It is a one-year contract, to be renewed annually.