The Dale Board of Education Monday evening approved a student transfer policy to be in compliance with a new state law that takes effect Jan. 1.
Acting School Supt. Ky Wilkins advised the board, “Every school must adopt a student transfer policy setting a number which is our capacity. We have to meet at least quarterly and we can adjust the number,” he added.
Wilkins said the thresholds are going to be at 20 per classroom teacher in K-5.
Elementary Principal Courtney Howser said only two classes are short of that number now.
Wilkins said the number at the Middle School is going to be 180. “That is right where we are now. The high school number will be 185 and we’re at 186 now.”
He also explained to the board, “If a person calls in January wanting to get into Dale school, we’d tell them we’re at capacity.”
Wilkins also noted though, “If you live in Dale School District you’re going to school here.”
He pointed out, “We’re in the middle of Class 2A.”
There was also some discussion about more students, with Wilkins and some board members asking, “Where are we going to put people right now and what about staffing?”
Wilkins also noted, “We’re going to lose 50 seniors at graduation, but we’re going to get 78 eighth graders. We have to see where we are in our district. And if you deny a transfer, they can appeal to this board and to the State Board of Education,” he said.
Wilkins also reviewed with the board revenue comparisons between November of this year and the same month in 2020.
Through November of 2020, warrants totaled $1,850.662 and through November of this year the figure is $1,987,815 which is $137,213 more.
Actual revenue, which is local money the state cannot touch, totals $249,010 through last month this year.
That is $3,637 less than the district had received through November of 2020 which was $252,647.
Wilkins noted, “We haven’t received any tax money yet, they haven’t sent out the tax statements yet.”
He said County Treasurer Wendy Magnus had advised him there have been some problems.
The building fund in November of a year ago stood at $46,733. Last month it totaled $21,908 which is about $ 24,825 down.
The district’s cash balance in November of
2020 was $90,522. In November of this year, it totals $143,482. That is $50,960 more than a year ago.
State aid received so far this year is $1,080,284 and that is $8,029 less than the $1.088,313 through November of 2020.
The County Education sales tax balance currently stands at $320,319, Wilkins said. The Stimulus Esser II account is $150,368, he advised.
And the American Rescue Program funds are $541,919, Wilkins said. “We haven’t spent any of that money, but we are fixing to spend some of it,” he told board members.
In other business, the board approved its meeting dates for 2022 and members also approved the board member term of office policy.
Board members also approved the Pottawatomie County Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Howser, in her report to the board, advised them the Christmas program will be held Wednesday, Dec. 15, at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. She also talked briefly about the Christmas store the elementary school held to raise money for gifts for people in need.
Assistant High School Principal JD Widner spoke about the band concert being held that night during his report.