Clinton Iowa News...

One of the candidates for Superintendent is Dr. Randy Clegg from Clinton, Iowa. Here is a local news article about the budget process in the district he currently works in.

Published: February 28, 2008 09:49 am

School board reviews budget options

By Rebecca Boysen
Herald Staff Writer
CLINTON — The Clinton School Board got a first look at budget options for the coming year at its Committee of the Whole meeting this week.

The potential budget includes the elimination of three teacher positions, one at the elementary level and two at the middle schools, while adding one at Clinton High School.

According to Superintendent Randy Clegg, because the legislature has not increased the amount of money available in the Iowa Early Intervention Program to coincide with increasing teacher salaries, the district will be forced to let go of one of its additional K-2 teachers, which were hired to keep class sizes at that level to a minimum.

Clegg also noted that plans to increase core academic time at the middle school level have prompted the decision to let go of a physical education teacher as well as an industrial technology teacher. One middle school family and consumer science instructor will also be moved to share time at the high school. And with involvement in the foreign language program exceeding 150 students, one part-time teacher is set to be added at the high school.

The tentative budget, which includes a total of just over $38.5 million, and is based on increasing the instructional support levy from 9 percent to 10 percent, is similar to last year’s, with changes including an increase in the co-curricular activities line to allow for a seventh-grade football coach, as well as an increase in the computer systems budget line, making funds available for the first year costs of the district’s new software program. The budget also reflects proposed salary increases. Clegg noted an energy maintenance program has made great improvements in the district’s utility costs, and that simple changes, including using rental vehicles and motor coaches as opposed to school buses for transportation to sporting events, have helped alleviate costs.

Clegg stated that one of the biggest concerns for the coming year is shifting enrollment in the district, and recommended redrawing the attendance boundaries again. He noted that the boundaries were redrawn for the first time in 12 years last year, and that redrawing the lines every three years is normal for a community as fluid as Clinton.

While Clegg also noted concerns over the impending need to replace the outdated equipment in several of the district computer labs, and possible shortfalls in the building maintenance fund, he concluded that the proposed budget is largely feasible. The certified budget, which includes tax rates, must be sent to County Auditor Charlie Sheridan by April 15, but the board has additional time to approve the operating budget.