NRHEG School Board
By REED WALLER
Staff Writer
Truth in Taxation
The annual Truth in Taxation hearing was held before the regular December meeting of the NRHEG Board of Education.
The 2018-19 Budget Overview was presented as follows:
REVENUES
17-18 act. 18-19 bgt. % change
9,815,870 10,904,540 -1.02%
EXPENDITURES
17-18 act. 18-19 bgt. % change
12,396,683 11,128,547 -10.23%
The current debt is a result of the non-voter approved alternative facilities and the capital facilities bonds plus the new payment for the secondary remodel project.
47.22 percent of general fund dollars are spent on Regular Instruction, 17.12 percent on Special Education, and 10.13 percent on buildings and equipment.
The 2018 Total Levy per Student is $1,364. This is the lowest in the area, compared to next lowest, Blooming Prairie with $2,717.
The total proposed school tax levy to be levied in 2018 payable 2019 is set at $1,261.202.97.
Early Dismissal days
The Board approved the draft of the 2019-2020 school year calendar. As per presentation last month, some Late Start days are being replaced with Early Dismissal days. A decision was reached to have three early dismissals, in October, March, and May, and the fourth day, in January, be a Late Start day, in consideration of winter weather.
Building bond resolution
A resolution calling for a Special Election relating to the issuance of School Building Bonds was passed.
The resolution calls for an election to vote for or against authorizing the district to issue a general obligation school building bond in an amount not to exceed $9,100,000 to provide funds for improvements to infrastructure and facilities as discussed and described in the Survey distributed this year.
It is required that a Review and Comment document pertaining to the project be submitted to the Minnesota Dept. of Education. Representatives of ISG and financial advisor from Northland Securities were present to discuss the document. The State has 60 days to study the Review and Comment before approving or disapproving the proposal.
A tax impact analysis was presented. Financial advisor explained that the first three years of payment will be set lighter, to help for the last three years of payments on the current bond.
House Renter Lease Agreement
A lease agreement has been signed by the current renter of the house at 335 Ash Ave. S. purchased by the district, and was approved by the board. The rent amount is $575 per month plus utilities.
School Website
Sue Kulseth introduced board members and guests to the newly redesigned NRHEG website, and showed off some of its new features and improved navigation tools. Visit the site at:
https://www.nrheg.k12.mn.us/
Donations
Donations were received by:
Jillian Possin, 12 new books for the Elementary Library; Elementary Office, Microwave for student use; Finley’s Wings at Work $500, Brad & Sara Howe $10, Brina & Jodell Wayne $300, Mark & Sharon Sorenson $528, all for the Coat Drive; Court Sports, $528 for Letter Club; Matawan Grain & Feed $451.25 for FFA; George’s of Geneva $25, John Sands $25, and Anonymous $45, Anonymous 2 $85, Nielsen’s Cenex $25, and Modern Metal Products Owatonna $100, all for Comm Ed Competitive Cheer Mats; NRHEG PTO $1,380, Wisconsin Power/Bent Tree Wind $100, Ellingson Drainage $50, all for Eagle Bluff; MN Community Foundation, $1,000 for Comm Ed Youth Development Grant.
Total to date: $23,984.85.
Workforce
Co-curricular contract for Jamie Harshman, Jr. High Wrestling Coach, was approved. Resignation was accepted from Bruce Neilsen, 7th Grade GBB Coach.
Bell Awards were given to departing school board members Joann Maloney and Mark Tollefson, for four years of service to the district.
The next regular meeting of the NRHEG Board of Education will be Tuesday, January 16, 2019 at the Elementary Media Center.
A special Organizational Meeting will be held in the Board Room at the Secondary School Tuesday, January 7. Newly-elected members will be given the Oath of Office and election of officers will take place.