Small Town News

GFW Board raises levy 9.06 percent, yet most school taxes should decrease

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Negotiations continue on new bus garage in Winthrop

How do you raise the school levy, yet lower most resident's school taxes? While it sounds improbable, that's what the GFW School Board did on September 21.

The School Board certified a levy of $1,648,411.22 for the coming year, which is an increase of $136,895.10 or 9.06 percent. However, in that increase is a reorganization debt levy on the portion of former McLeod West (MW) District annexed by GFW of $157,152.47. Leaving a $20,000 tax decrease or 1.3 percent for the original GFW District residents.

The certified levy includes the referendum levies, general education and transportation levy, community education levy, 2006 bond levy for ventilation, heating and locker room improvements, MW reorganization levy and the OPEB/pension levy. Superintendent Steve Malone will give a presentation of the 2009-10 budget and the payable 2010 levy at the December 21 meeting. The Board will then approve the final levy.

Superintendent Malone has been meeting with Battels Trucking and the Winthrop Opportunities Board concerning relocating the GFW bus shed in Winthrop. Bartels is seeking additional land by the railroad tracks and Winthrop Opportunities owns land west of the football field.

According to the Superintendent's report, the new site would include the GFW bus shed and a football practice field. Bartels would construct a new bus shed according to GFW specifications and do the site work for the football practice field. The tentative site is north of JB Lures and runs east towards the football field. Malone reported that terms and logistics for the project are still under review.

The Board approved a contract for Heather Bakke, middle school special education teacher at the BA45, step 8 level for $37,420; Leah Wilberts, seventh/eighth grade math/reading teacher at theBA 4 level or $31,800; and Melissa Hunter, elementary fourth grader teacher at the BA 4, $31,800 level. Hunter had previously been approved for a .35 FTE position. The Board also hired Leon Weber, full-time bus route driver, $12,000; Diane Schwecke, elementary library assistant, $10.62 per hour, 15 hours per week; Brian Magnuson, seventh grade volleyball coach, $2,544; and Becky Busse, assistant varsity girls basketball coach for $3,180. Finally a couple of teachers had their hours increased due to additional enrollment. Kevin Johnson, middle school instrumental music teacher will also teach one additional technology class. He will now have a .83 FTE contract for $26,394. Vicki Malone, elementary music teacher, had a slight increase in her contract to .59 FTE or $21,777.

The superintendent reported that he is working with an intern this semester. Randy Boutwell, a graduate student at at the U of M, Mankato, will be working to get his licensure as a superintendent.

The Board has been working on its goals for the 2011-13. Information was gathered from District residents who attended meetings last winter/spring. From that data, the Board has been narrowing down the topic. Additional information will be gathered from resident meetings this winter. Goals are scheduled to be finalized by next fall.



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© 2010 Winthrop News Winthrop, Minnesota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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