District News

District OverRide Election

by Carol Braun

August 19, 2008

District Levy Override Election — Tuesday, September 9, 2008
All Townships will Vote at the Wymore Community Center, 113 West “E” Street
8:00 am — 8:00 pm

Southern School District will hold an lid override election on Tuesday, September 9, 2008. The polls will be open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. All townships will vote at the Wymore Community Center at 113 West “E” Street. All registered residents of the Southern School District are encouraged to vote on the override. “The board is requesting a clear mandate from the community, one way or the other, on the future of their educational system,” according to district superintendent Dr. Michael Shimeall.

The district has scheduled several information sessions for interested community members to ask questions and find out more information pertaining to the override and the future of the school district.

Those sessions are:

Wednesday, August 20th, 7:00 p.m. – High School Commons
Wednesday, August 27th, 7:00 p.m. – Elementary All Purpose Room
Friday, September 5, 10:00 a.m. — Southern Pride Coffee, High School Commons

If you would like further information or to have a school official meet with you regarding the override, please contact the superintendent’s office at 645-3326.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Override

Prior to considering having an override election, the board’s Finance Committee met with cross section of residents to see what questions they might have regarding the override. Those questions and responses to them include:

What is the Board’s Request? Authority to levy up to 30¢ above the levy limit of $1.05

How long would the new levy be in effect? 5 Years, beginning with the 2008-2009 school year

Will the entire 30¢ be accessed? No, the board does not anticipate using over 20¢ of the levy. More than that amount will be used only if unexpected increased future costs (such as inflation) occur while the override is in effect.

How will the override affect my taxes?:

Property Without With Difference Based on
Value Override Override 07-08 Levy
(est. $1.305 (est. $1.355) ($1.4202)

$ 25,000 $ 326.25 $ 338.75 $ 12.50 $ 355.05

$ 50,000 $652.50 $ 677.50 $ 25.00 $ 710.10

$100,000 $1,305.00 $1,355.00 $ 50.00 $1,420.20

What will the levy override increase include? The levy increase will include the current exclusions which are obligated insurance bond levy and Capital Purpose levy for a total of $1.25 levy. In addition, the district is still obligated for 1999 building bond of approximately 10.5¢ which would make the total levy about $1.355

What will happen if the Override fails?

The levy would be set at the state limit of $1.05, plus the 15¢ in allowed exclusions and 1999 Building Bond of 10.5¢ for a total of $1.305.

The district would make cuts to meet the $1.05 lid limit. Some would be made for the current school year, but most would be made long term for future years.

What cuts would be made?

Cuts have not been identified yet, but the following would be on the table as possible cuts:

Busing of student to and from school
Establishing a Four Day School Week
Eliminating the Jump Start summer school program
Further reducing staffing in the SpEd program
Reducing the number of paraprofessionals
Sharing the superintendent with another district
Reducing the number of Elementary teaching positions
Eliminating or reducing secondary academic programs
Physical Education
Vocational Arts (Shop, Home Ec., Business)
Fine Arts (Band, Chorus, Art)
Math
Science
Language Arts (English, Foreign Lang., Speech, Drama)
Eliminating Field Trips
Reducing the number of sports offered to students

What has been the recent total district tax levy?

The total tax levy includes levies for General Fund, Capital Purpose Fund, Special Building Fund and Bond Fund. The total levy for all funds has been:

2007-2008 $ 1.4202
2006-2007 $ 1.3511
2005-2006 $ 1.3894
2004-2005 $ 1.4143
2003-2004 $ 1.4639
2002-2003 $ 1.4413

Why are you asking for a lid override election in September? Why not wait until November?

If the override is approved, it could be applied to the 2008-2009 budget which is due September 20th.

Current state law requires district budgets, including exclusions, to not be more than $1.20 without a public vote. Current obligations to the district exceed that $1.20 requirement.

What has the district done to obtain additional funding from other sources?

The district has been very active in pursuing and obtaining national competitive grants which have been important in providing essential learning opportunities for our students.
4KIDS Counseling (3 years) $ 998,000
Renovation Grant (3 years) $ 500,000
PE & Health Grant (3 years) $ 578,000
Reading First Grant (3 years) $ 693,000

Why hasn’t the district made cuts in order to be more efficient? The district has made program cuts. In the past six years the district has cut the following:

Maintenance - 1 position
Part-time Title I - 1 position
Food Service - 1 position
Special Education - 1 position
Business Education - 1 position
Administration - 1 position
Paraprofessional - 3 positions
Community Counselor - 1 position
Reading Recovery - 1 position
Reduced new bus purchase to every 3 years
Cut supply budget by 20%

What are the district’s goals for having the override?:

To have the needed funds to meet current obligations

To repay interfund loans which were borrowed to meet cash flow issues.

To build district reserves.

How has Southern Schools shown success for our students?

2008 - Southern Elementary School has been nominated as one of three Nebraska schools as a National Blue Ribbon School.

Reading First program has resulted in K-3 SpEd program referrals decreasing almost 70%

Junior High Tutoring Program has resulted in a 80% decrease in retention

The senior high has experienced a steady increase in ACT scores, particularly in Science and Math

2008 - Secondary principal was honored as Nebraska Principal of the year.