712 Digital Group - top

CAM and Griswold School Board meeting recaps

News

January 19th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

The CAM and Griswold School District Boards of Education held separate meetings Monday evening in Anita and Griswold, respectively. CAM Superintendent Casey Berlau said prior to the regular Board meeting, there was a Special, Community meeting to discuss the upcoming Physical Plant and Equipment Levy vote, but there weren’t many people in attendance.

He expects more will likely attend the meeting Wednesday evening, in Massena. The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the CAM Middle School Commons, in Massena. Berlau said the questions they’ve received so far haven’t been unexpected.

He said there are concerns about taxes going up, and how the money will be used.
The district currently has the voter approved PPEL in the amount of .67 cent per $1000 of property valuation which and the district is asking for an increase to $1.34 per $1000 of property valuation. The district plans to use the funds to improve and maintain its current facilities, purchase school buses and purchase technology for students and staff.

He said also the CAM School Board continued discussion begun last month with regard the Early Retirement/resignation policy. Berlau says they approved Monday a $1,000 incentive for those who submit their retirement notices early. That’s the same as has been offered in the past. Berlau also mentioned the CAM School District was one of 17 area districts invited to a meeting and presentation at the Griswold Community Center to discuss conference realignment. Schools in the Corner Conference have talked about trying to expand their conference or create a new conference for the past couple of years. Wednesday’s meeting will be held at the Griswold Community Center, beginning at 10-a.m.

At the Griswold School Board meeting, Superintendent Dana Kunze said their Board discussed a licensed employee early retirement policy, which is a monetary offering over several years. Details regarding the policy are set to be released later today (Tuesday). Kunze said they also discussed long-term financial planning, based on Gary Sinclair’s work with the Iowa Association of School Board. He said also, work is expected to begin in a few weeks on the installation of security cameras and door entry systems.

Dana said also, the Board appointed Don Smith, of Griswold, as a New Board Director to replace Tom Moore, who won a special election in December for an Iowa Legislative seat. Kunze said they were pleased to have three very qualified candidates who applied for the School Board seat.