budget woes force p-p school board to cut $150k in faculty for upcoming year

2
In Today’s R-D PAC/P-P spring teams return to field of play — page 2B-3B Easter Services Directory and PAC/P-P Pride — special inserts inside An aerial view of the Cody and Jessica Bunda’s home west of Pocahontas taken on April 10. The Bundas were one of many area famililes to have sustained catastrophic damage during the tornados that swept through the region April 9-10. All aerial photos in this issue appear courtesy of Gary and Beth McCartan. More aerial photos of the disaster area can bee seen on page 1B. Recovery effort aided by community’s help Due to overwhelming demand (we’ve run out of papers) the Pocahontas Record-Democrat/ Buena Vista County Journal/ Laurens Sun will publish a commemorative issue. This special edition will contain a complete reprint of all stories and photos that have been published in relation to the storm event of April 9-10. The issue will provide a complete picture of the storms, from the immediate aftermath following their passing, the sustained recovery effort, and the eventual start of rebuilding. Special edition coming May 11 It will also contain additional, unpublished photos documenting storm’s wreckage throughout our greater coverage area as well as profiles featuring people impacted by the storm. The commemorative issue will be included as an insert in the May 11 edition of all three papers. Additional copies will be available for purchase at the Record-Democrat and Laurens Sun offices. We hope you join with us, as we attempt to preserve and tell the story of this piece of shared community history. The students of PAC/P-P high school gather in the gym prior to heading out on April 13 for a day of helping area residents clean up after the weekend storms. This group of students was part of the thousands that fanned out to help their neighbors in the recovery effort. Budget woes force P-P school board to cut $150k in faculty for upcoming year By Chris Vrba It was a night of great trepidation for all involved as the Pomeroy- Palmer school board, with great reluctance, approved a round of sweeping faculty reductions for the upcoming school year. The cuts come as the school tries to forestall what would be, by all estimates provided, a fourth consecutive year of a negative year-end balance. A total of six teaching positions, including both instructors at the district’s preschool, were either eliminated or reduced. An additional four coaching positions were also terminated. The reductions amount to a total of about $150,000, which superintendent Joe Kramer said would get the district about halfway to the total savings projected to keep the district from finishing the 2011-12 school year in the red. “This is not about reducing staff because they’re doing a bad job, it goes back to the budget,” Kramer concluded before making his final recommendations to the five-member board. Declining enrollment fueled by decades of depopulation is the primary contributor to the district’s financial woes. One of the smallest district’s in the state, the lack of new students occupying the school’s elementary classes has a disproportionate effect on funding, as high school students cost significantly more to educate. State funding reductions – specifically the decade- long phase-out of the budget guarantee, now in its eighth year, which provided compensation to districts with declining numbers has also factored heavily in the equation. Another heavy hand guiding the district’s financial decisions is the large amount of students that have open-enrolled out of the district. Though a specific tally was not available at the April 12 meeting, Kramer said the total of outgoing tuition paid by the district totaled about $150,000 this year, roughly equivalent to the amount of position cuts recommended. AS A RESULT, EVEN though the state has routinely increased its per pupil funding allotment by two to four percent annually, both P-P and PAC have had to work with fewer total dollars each year. “For the last eight years, we’ve operated with no new money,” Kramer remarked. In December, the district appeared before the state’s School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) because it had ended the 2009-10 academic year about $180,000 in the hole. The panel, which metes out punishment to districts that have spent beyond their legal means, granted P-P a reprieve, contingent upon an approved reorganization petition with Pocahontas Area. However, although voters in both districts overwhelmingly approved the merger plan, the two districts will not be legally combined until July 1, 2012. Until Plans are underway for the 26th annual Heritage Days celebration in Pocahontas, set for June 24, 25, and 26, 2011. The annual summer event is hosted by the Pocahontas Chamber of Commerce with generous support from the City of Pocahontas as well. Each year the planning committee requests nominations for Grand Marshal, an individual or couple who will be honored during Heritage Days for their community service and contributions to Pocahontas. The Grand Marshal will be recognized during a special ceremony during the weekend and will also lead the grand parade on Saturday morning, June 25th. Nominations must be submitted by May 15, 2011, and may be submitted in care of the Pocahontas Chamber of Commerce in any one of these methods: (1) dropped off at City Hall at 23 E. Elm Ave., (2) mailed to the Chamber at P.O. Box 124, Pocahontas, IA 50574, or (3) submitted via email at [email protected]. Heritage Days committee seeking Grand Marshal nominations The nomination letter should include why the individual is being nominated and also the community service they have contributed to Pocahontas. The planning committee has been meeting since February to line up activities, music, events, parade, food, and entertainment for all ages for the celebration. Members of the initial planning committee include Eric List, Matt Farndale, Carol Hallman, Lauri Fulkerth, Kristi Seiler, Chris Hull, Cody Bunda, Mary Sturtz, Joe Weldinger, Sheila Akridge, and representatives from Black Hills Energy: Brian Kretz, Steve Stone, and Denise Montgomery. Several more community members are involved with activities during the weekend, and they will be highlighted in future articles. The next Heritage Days planning meeting is Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. at the AEA Building north of Pocahontas. If you’d like to help with Heritage Days or have an idea to share with us, please come to the meeting and get involved! School...........4A Recovery ........6A By Chris Vrba Where do we go from here? That’s seems to be the most pressing question on many people’s minds as the majority of Pocahontas, Buena Vista, and Sac counties – among several others in western Iowa – start to recover from a particularly strong series of storms that ravaged the area on the weekend of April 9-10. To recap, the National Weather Service has reported that among the 17 confirmed tornadoes to be produced by a large supercell that extended from the Missouri River to northeastern Kossuth County, at least four tornadoes touched down in the greater coverage area of the R-D/BV Journal/Laurens Sun, leaving a marked path of utter destruction – at times was wide as a mile across – in their wake. Two of the tornadoes rated EF3 on the Fujita Scale, with wind speeds estimated to have exceeded 165 mph, while two others were EF2, topping out around 125 mph. One twister was reported to be just a few miles per hour below the threshold for EF4 classification. Along with tornadoes came locally heavy rains, over three inches was reported in some areas as well as sporadic hail. The View from Varina Among the hardest hit communities in the area was Varina. Mayor Chris Archer reported that a total of six homes in the town of less than 100 were a “total loss.” Archer estimated about 70 percent of the town’s houses suffered “major damage.” In addition other the dwellings, the former St. Columbkille School, which had served as a primary place of congregation for many around the town, was ripped nearly in two. The tornado ravaged virtually every structure in town, or, as Archer put it, “There were only three homes that didn’t get touched.” The recovery in the community has progressed relatively quickly, as Mid America workers were able to restore power to the majority of the southwest Pocahontas County community by the end of the day Sunday, with the rest of the town coming back online Tuesday. The immediate recovery work focused on clearing streets of debris, from both trees and homes that were torn asunder by the destructive front. “On Sunday we got started with getting the streets opened up. Everyone pitched in and worked hard,” the mayor remarked. The Red Cross was on hand to provide immediate assistance; serving meals, working to line up now-homeless residences with shelter, and helping people assess their losses. More on the Red Cross’ involvement will be featured later. Throughout the week, volunteers streamed in to the community, working to help residents start the clean up efforts, which progressed steadily until heavy rains hit Friday afternoon. Among those groups pitching in were 12 inmates from the Rockwell City prison, who spent Monday and Tuesday in Varina working with residents to remove all of the, for lack of a better term, stuff strewn about by the storm. Ag Partners also spent two days in town, utilizing their supply of heavy equipment to help with refuse removal. Pocahontas County Conservation brought their large wood shredder to help get rid of the remaining wood. And of course, a legions of volunteers, armed with chainsaws, backhoes, and skid loaders as well as hot plates, cold drinks, and warm cookies streamed into town starting early Sunday morning. On behalf of his townspeople, Archer expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the efforts of all of those who pitched in and helped with the physical and emotional recovery. “There’s been an outpouring of assistance from around the whole community and we really appreciate that. They’ve really stepped up to the plate.” At the Rialto Playing April 22-28 is “Hop,” rated PG. Running time: 1 hr. 35 min. Genre: Comedy, Kids/ Family, Animation and Holiday. Starring: Russel Brand and James Marsden. E.B. is the teenage son of the Easter Bunny, and on the eve of taking over the family business, he leaves for Hollywood in pursuit of his dream of becoming a drummer. As E.B. discovers who he really wants to be and who he’s meant to become, everything will lead him and Fred in an epic showdown to try and save Easter. COMING SOON: “Mars Needs Moms” — PG “Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules” — PG “Rio” — PG “Soul Surfer” — PG Bargain Night every Monday night -- $2 admission for all! AUCTIONS *** Land Auction – 80 acres m/l Sec. 6, Butler Twp., Cal. Co. Mon., April 18 @ 10 a.m. Burke Family Farm, owners RR, Pomeroy Col. R.K. Welander Welander Auctions LLC 515-230-3000 www.aucionmarketing specialists.com *** 406 Acres of Premium Iowa Land Pocahontas and Palo Alto Counties Wed., April 20 @ 10 a.m. Byron C. Webster Revocable Trust Sale Barn Realty & Auction 712-335-3117 www.salebarn.ncn.net [email protected] *** 3 Bedroom Home at Auction Fri., May 6 @ 6 p.m. C. Aultman, owners 311 S. Ash St., Harcourt, IA Col. R.K. Welander Welander Auctions LLC 515-230-3000 www.aucionmarketing specialists.com ***

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The April article in the Pocahontas Record-Democrat detailing the Pomeroy-Palmer preschool closure

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Page 1: Budget woes force P-P school board to cut $150k in faculty for upcoming year

In Today’s R-D

PAC/P-P spring teams return to field of play

— page 2B-3B

Easter ServicesDirectory and PAC/P-P Pride

— special inserts inside

An aerial view of the Cody and Jessica Bunda’s home west of Pocahontas taken on April 10. The Bundas were one of many area famililes to have sustained catastrophic damage during the tornados that swept through the region April

9-10. All aerial photos in this issue appear courtesy of Gary and Beth McCartan. More aerial photos of the disaster area can bee seen on page 1B.

Recovery effort aided by community’s helpDue to overwhelming demand

(we’ve run out of papers) the Pocahontas Record-Democrat/Buena Vista County Journal/Laurens Sun will publish a commemorative issue.

This special edition will contain a complete reprint of all stories and photos that have been published in relation to the storm event of April 9-10.

The issue will provide a complete picture of the storms, from the immediate aftermath following their passing, the sustained recovery effort, and the eventual start of rebuilding.

Special edition coming May 11It will also contain additional,

unpublished photos documenting storm’s wreckage throughout our greater coverage area as well as profiles featuring people impacted by the storm.

The commemorative issue will be included as an insert in the May 11 edition of all three papers. Additional copies will be available for purchase at the Record-Democrat and Laurens Sun offices.

We hope you join with us, as we attempt to preserve and tell the story of this piece of shared community history.

The students of PAC/P-P high school gather in the gym prior to heading out on April 13 for a day of helping area residents clean up after the weekend storms. This group of students was part of the thousands that fanned out to help their neighbors in the recovery effort.

Budget woes force P-P school board to cut $150k in faculty for upcoming yearBy Chris Vrba

It was a night of great trepidation for all involved as the Pomeroy-Palmer school board, with great reluctance, approved a round of sweeping faculty reductions for the upcoming school year. The cuts come as the school tries to forestall what would be, by all estimates provided, a fourth consecutive year of a negative year-end balance.

A total of six teaching positions, including both instructors at the district’s preschool, were either eliminated or reduced. An additional four coaching positions were also terminated. The reductions amount to a total of about $150,000, which superintendent Joe Kramer said would get the district about halfway to the total savings projected to keep the district from finishing the 2011-12 school year in the red.

“This is not about reducing staff because they’re doing a bad job, it goes back to the budget,” Kramer concluded before making his final recommendations to the five-member board.

Declining enrollment fueled by decades of depopulation is the primary contributor to the district’s financial woes. One of the smallest district’s in the state, the lack of new students occupying the school’s elementary classes has a disproportionate effect on funding, as high school students cost significantly more to educate. State funding reductions – spec i f ica l ly the decade-long phase-out of the budget guarantee, now in its eighth year,

which provided compensation to districts with declining numbers has also factored heavily in the equation.

Another heavy hand guiding the district’s financial decisions is the large amount of students that have open-enrolled out of the district. Though a specific tally was not available at the April 12 meeting, Kramer said the total of outgoing tuition paid by the district totaled about $150,000 this year, roughly equivalent to the amount of position cuts recommended.

AS A RESULT, EVEN though the state has routinely increased its per pupil funding allotment by two to four percent annually, both P-P and PAC have had to work with fewer total dollars each year.

“For the last eight years, we’ve operated with no new money,” Kramer remarked.

In December, the district appeared before the state’s School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) because it had ended the 2009-10 academic year about $180,000 in the hole. The panel, which metes out punishment to districts that have spent beyond their legal means, granted P-P a reprieve, contingent upon an approved reorganization petition with Pocahontas Area.

However, although voters in both districts overwhelmingly approved the merger plan, the two districts will not be legally combined until July 1, 2012. Until

Plans are underway for the 26th annual Heritage Days celebration in Pocahontas, set for June 24, 25, and 26, 2011. The annual summer event is hosted by the Pocahontas Chamber of Commerce with generous support from the City of Pocahontas as well. Each year the planning committee requests nominations for Grand Marshal, an individual or couple who will be honored dur ing Her i tage Days fo r their community service and contributions to Pocahontas. The Grand Marshal will be recognized during a special ceremony during the weekend and will also lead the grand parade on Saturday morning, June 25th. N o m i n a t i o n s m u s t b e submitted by May 15, 2011, and may be submitted in care of the Pocahontas Chamber of Commerce in any one of these methods: (1) dropped off at City Hall at 23 E. Elm Ave., (2) mailed to the Chamber at P.O. Box 124, Pocahontas, IA 50574, or (3) submitted via email at [email protected].

Heritage Days committee seeking Grand Marshal nominations

The nomination letter should include why the individual is being nominated and also the community service they have contributed to Pocahontas. The planning committee has been meeting since February to line up activities, music, events, parade, food, and entertainment for all ages for the celebration. Members of the initial planning committee include Eric List, Matt Farndale, Carol Hallman, Lauri Fulkerth, Kristi Seiler, Chris Hull, Cody Bunda, Mary Sturtz, Joe Weldinger, Sheila Akridge, and representatives from Black Hills Energy: Brian Kretz, Steve Stone, and Denise Montgomery. Several more community members are involved with activities during the weekend, and they will be highlighted in future articles. The next Her i tage Days planning meeting is Tuesday, May 10, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. at the AEA Building north of Pocahontas. If you’d like to help with Heritage Days or have an idea to share with us, please come to the meeting and get involved!

School...........4A

Recovery........6A

By Chris VrbaWhere do we go from here?

That’s seems to be the most pressing question on many people’s minds as the majority of Pocahontas, Buena Vista, and Sac counties – among several others in western Iowa – start to recover from a particularly strong series of storms that ravaged the area on the weekend of April 9-10.

To recap, the National Weather Service has reported that among the 17 confirmed tornadoes to be produced by a large supercell that extended from the Missouri River to northeastern Kossuth County, at least four tornadoes touched down in the greater coverage area of the R-D/BV Journal/Laurens Sun, leaving a marked path of utter destruction – at times was wide as a mile across – in their wake.

Two of the tornadoes rated EF3 on the Fujita Scale, with wind speeds estimated to have exceeded 165 mph, while two others were EF2, topping out around 125 mph. One twister was reported to be just a few miles per hour below the threshold for EF4 classification. Along with tornadoes came locally heavy rains, over three inches was reported in some areas as well as sporadic hail.

The View from VarinaAmong the hardes t h i t

communities in the area was Varina. Mayor Chris Archer reported that a total of six homes in the town of less than 100 were a “total loss.” Archer estimated about 70 percent of the town’s houses suffered “major damage.” In addition other the dwellings, the former St. Columbkille School, which had served as a primary place of congregation for many around the town, was ripped nearly in two. The tornado ravaged virtually every structure in town, or, as Archer put it, “There were only three homes that didn’t get touched.”

The recovery in the community has progressed relatively quickly, as Mid America workers were able to restore power to the majority of the southwest Pocahontas County community by the end of the day Sunday, with the rest of the town coming back online Tuesday.

The immediate recovery work focused on clearing streets of debris, from both trees and homes that were torn asunder by the destructive front.

“On Sunday we got started with getting the streets opened up. Everyone pitched in and worked hard,” the mayor remarked.

The Red Cross was on hand to provide immediate assistance; serving meals, working to line

up now-homeless residences with shelter, and helping people assess their losses. More on the Red Cross’ involvement will be featured later.

T h r o u g h o u t t h e w e e k , volunteers streamed in to the community, working to help residents start the clean up efforts, which progressed steadily until heavy rains hit Friday afternoon.

Among those groups pitching in were 12 inmates from the Rockwell City prison, who spent Monday and Tuesday in Varina working with residents to remove all of the, for lack of a better term, stuff strewn about by the storm. Ag Partners also spent two days in town, utilizing their supply of heavy equipment to help with refuse removal. Pocahontas County Conservation brought their large wood shredder to help get rid of the remaining wood.

And of course, a legions of volunteers, armed with chainsaws, backhoes, and skid loaders as well as hot plates, cold drinks, and warm cookies streamed into town starting early Sunday morning.

On behalf of his townspeople, Archer expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the efforts of all of those who pitched in and helped with the physical and emotional recovery.

“There’s been an outpouring of assistance from around the whole community and we really appreciate that. They’ve really stepped up to the plate.”

At the RialtoPlaying April 22-28 is “Hop,”

rated PG. Running time: 1 hr. 35 min. Genre: Comedy, Kids/Family, Animation and Holiday. Starring: Russel Brand and James Marsden.

E.B. is the teenage son of the Easter Bunny, and on the eve of taking over the family business, he leaves for Hollywood in pursuit of his dream of becoming a drummer. As E.B. discovers who he really wants to be and who he’s meant to become, everything will lead him and Fred in an epic showdown to try and save Easter.

COMING SOON:“Mars Needs Moms” — PG“Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules” — PG“Rio” — PG“Soul Surfer” — PG

Bargain Night every Monday night -- $2 admission for all!

AUCTIONS***

Land Auction – 80 acres m/lSec. 6, Butler Twp., Cal. Co.

Mon., April 18 @ 10 a.m.Burke Family Farm, owners

RR, PomeroyCol. R.K. Welander

Welander Auctions LLC515-230-3000

www.aucionmarketingspecialists.com

***406 Acres of

Premium Iowa LandPocahontas and Palo Alto

CountiesWed., April 20 @ 10 a.m.

Byron C. Webster Revocable Trust

Sale Barn Realty & Auction712-335-3117

[email protected]

***3 Bedroom Home at Auction

Fri., May 6 @ 6 p.m.C. Aultman, owners

311 S. Ash St., Harcourt, IACol. R.K. Welander

Welander Auctions LLC515-230-3000

www.aucionmarketingspecialists.com

***

Page 2: Budget woes force P-P school board to cut $150k in faculty for upcoming year

Page 4A, Record-Democrat, Wednesday, April 20, 2011

RecoRd-democRatPocahontas News

ObituariesVIVIAN BERNICE CHRISTOFFERS

P o c a h o n t a s — V i v i a n B. Christoffers, age 85, of Pocahontas , passed away Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at the Scuyler Place Assisted Living in Pomeroy, Iowa. Funeral services were held on Saturday, April 9, at the Evangelical Covenant Church near Pomeroy, Iowa, with Pastor Dan Fullerton officiating. Burial was at the Evangelical Covenant Cemetery. Powers Funeral Hone was in charge of the arrangements.

Vivian Bernice Nordlund was born December 25, 1925, at Albert City, Iowa. She was the daughter of Sigfrid and Mabel (Anderson) Nordlund. She graduated from

Vivian Christoffers

Albert City High School in 1943. She attended Buena Vista College and graduated in 1945 with a two year teaching certificate. Vivian taught grade school at Ware Community Schools. On August 29, 1947, Vivian married Kenneth Christoffers at the Covenant Church in Albert City. The couple settled near Pocahontas where they farmed and raised their five children. Kenneth passed away in 1996 and Vivian continued to make her home on the farm.

Vivian was a lifelong member of the Evangelical Covenant Church where she sang in the church choir and served as a Sunday School teacher. She was a member of the Covenant Women and Pocahontas Literature Club. She enjoyed reading, crocheting, traveling and spending time at the lakes. She especially enjoyed the time she spent with her family.

Vivian loved her children and grandchildren, whom she nourished physically and spiritually. She set a true example of a Christian woman and loved Jesus as her Lord and Savior.

Survivors include her children, Jean (Denny) Lenz of Pomeroy, Bob (Marj) Christoffers of Anchorage, Ala., Dean (Linda) Christoffers of Pocahontas, Rick Christoffers of Sioux City and Kevin (Rhonda) Christoffers of Atwater, Minn.; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters, Izetta Peterson of Fonda and Joyce (Maurice) Peterson of Albert City and sister-in-law, Esther Wenell of Albert City.

Vivian was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth; brother, Roland Nordlund and infant great-grandsons, Grant and Anthony Christoffers.

ARDIS M. BOYD Ames — Ardis M. Boyd, age 90, of Ames, and formerly of Pocahontas, passed away April 9 in Aiken, South Carolina. Services and interment will be private. Ardis was the daughter of Dr. Cornelius C. Kepler and Florence Howard Kepler. She graduated from Pocahontas High School in 1938 and from the University of Iowa in 1943. A r d i s married Dale E. Boyd in 1942 and after Dale’s distinguished World War II service, they resided in Pocahontas, where they worked and owned the Pocahontas

Arids Boyd

Record-Democrat until 1968. They moved to Ames then. Ardis taught school in Jolley, Rolfe, Albert City, and Madrid, Iowa. She and Dale were active in several social and professional groups in their home towns. Ardis also was past choir director and Sunday school teacher at Pocahontas Methodist Church. She enjoyed golfing, fishing, bridge, and reading. Survivors include sons, John (Karen) Boyd, of Pensacola, Fla. and Tom (Donna) Boyd of Aiken S.C.; grandchildren, Lori Swanson of Ames, Joseph Boyd of Mount Pleasant, S.C., and Amy Warrington of Pensacola Fla.; and six great-grandchildren. Ardis was preceded in death by her parents; an infant daughter; brother Corlis Kepler; and husband Dale. In lieu of flowers any memorials may be sent to the Pocahontas Area High School music department.

ROBERT NEIL GILLRolfe — Robert N. Gill, age

88, passed away on April 8, 2011, at the Emmetsburg Care Center. Memorial services were held on Saturday, April 16, at The Shared Ministry of Rolfe with Rev. Charles Miller officiating. Burial was at the Clinton-Garfield Cemetery near Rolfe. Powers Funeral Home in Rolfe was in charge of the arrangements.

Robert Neil Gill was born on September 25, 1922, at Emmetsburg. He was the son of Henry and Daisy (Hahn) Gill. Bob was educated in Fenton schools, graduating from Fenton High School in 1940. Bob served in the U.S. Army from 1946 to 1947. After his honorable discharge, Bob farmed in the Rolfe area. On February 25, 1967, Bob married Mary Lou Marine at Rolfe. The couple made their home on the family farm near Rolfe, until 1970, when they moved into Rolfe. Mary Lou passed away on November 1, 2003, and Bob continued to make his home in Rolfe. In December of 2009, Bob entered the Emmetsburg Care Center. He really enjoyed himself at the home. Bob loved all the visits from his relatives and many friends. He especially enjoyed his roommate, Maurice and the nursing home staff.

Bob was a member of the Shared Ministry, having served as an usher for many years. He and Lou loved to travel. They really loved spending time at the Sunny Brook Cafe.

Survivors include his sister, Shirley (Harold) Fangman of Bancroft; brothers in law, Vernon Marine of Pocahontas and Joe (Betty) Marine of Rolfe; many, many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Daisy; wife, Mary Lou; sister, Betty Jean; brother, Gene; and aunt, Leila Currans.

then, the P-P and PAC will remain separate schools in the eyes of the state - though all parties involved acknowledge that the two schools are functionally one.

Because of this, P-P must make every attempt to operate within the bounds of financial outlays, capped by state rules that govern the maximum amount a district can spend on its students’ education programs – a little less than $6,000 per head, without taking into account students with individual education plans.

Kramer said even with a litany of non-teaching cuts that were made earlier this year, P-P will still likely finish the current school year slightly underwater.

“We are expecting to end this year with a deficit budget,” Kramer stated. “We’ve cut way back, but we’re not going to be flush. A lot of our funds are just barely holding, while the expenses are going up,” the administrator concluded.

THE PROJECTION FOR THE upcoming year – the last in which P-P and PAC will operate as separate districts – isn’t any rosier. Without deep cuts, Kramer projects P-P’s instructional budget will finish around $300,000 below zero. If this scenario were to happen, Kramer believes the SBRC could severely penalize the district.

Part of Kramer’s projection is based upon the assumption that the state will commit to zero-percent allowable growth for the 2011-12 year. Legislative gridlock at the capitol has put districts throughout the state in a precarious position as budget estimates must be submitted and faculty contracts must be issued in a matter of days. The Senate

School: If PAC, P-P can combine funds, it appears cut would not be as deepfrom 1A

has twice passed bills granting districts two-percent allowable growth, while the House has approved zero-percent growth.

Regardless of what agreement is eventually brokered at the Capitol, the winds blowing North from Des Moines indicate that Governor Branstad is committed to his campaign promise of zero-funding allowable growth is poised to veto any bill that includes allowable growth. The recent rash of slashes to the state’s regents universities, community colleges, AEAs, and specialty schools for the deaf and blind do nothing to dispel the assumptions many school administrators are operating under.

To help bring the balance sheet level, the board approved a levy increase of about 56 cents, from $14.17 to $14.73 per $1,000 valuation.

A LARGE GROUP OF teachers packed the comparatively tiny boardroom as the members deliberated the relative merits of the superintendent’s plan.

In a session that included heated discussion and a few tears, the board approved the termination of preschool instructors Lisa Johnson and Shana Weiduaer, middle school language arts instructor Elizabeth Short, middle school science teacher Carlene Heschke, and reduced Jan George’s Talented and Gifted (TAG) program hours from 0.75 full-time equivalent to 0.53. The board also approved the termination of Greg Towne’s assistant high school football, boys’ basketball, and girls’ track positions and Leon Johnson’s contract as high school boys’ golf assistant. The board also tabled the recommendation to eliminate

Judy Essing’s July secretarial duties – which include ordering textbooks, putting together student and teacher handbooks, and compil ing registration information among other duties.

Most contentious among the decisions was the proposal to functionally eliminate the preschool. In a survey sent to perspective preschool parents throughout the district, the board assessed what parents would be willing to pay for the program in the event the state approves a revamp of the starter school’s funding. The results came back that few families could afford to absorb the $200 a month estimate for the program’s 20-hours in addition to daycare costs.

Board member Jason Gerdes said the reductions were not in the best interest of students’ education, but would also be detrimental to the district’s viability.

“This is the most important part of the school,” he said in reference to the preschool program. “It’s the star that keeps the elementary open.”

P-P’S DIRECTORS HAVE ELECTED to move the preschool into the Pomeroy building after the middle school moves to Pocahontas in 2012, which will help save on operational overhead. The board hopes the move will help keep the Pomeroy school open for as long as numbers can sustain. At earlier meetings, both PAC and P-P boards have said they would be willing to absorb some losses in Pomeroy in order to keep the area’s children closer to home during their early education careers.

However, a fully functioning preschool is a key component

of that strategy, and Gerdes expressed deep concern that laying off both instructors would effectively end any hope keeping the program open.

“If we don’t have enough money to pay Lisa (Johnson) now, if we don’t’ have state money, how do we find someone to do it?”

Kramer replied that it may be possible to enter into a public/private partnership but was unsure how such a program would be enacted.

“It feels like we need 20 yards to go for a first down and it’s third down and we’re throwing a five-yard pass and hoping they’ll make it,” Gerdes concluded about the larger financial picture.

B o a r d m e m b e r R o g e r Eichelberger was more candid in his assessment. Noting the approved February merger, he remarked that state rules, and not total finances, are the cause of the recent round of reductions. He said that if PAC and P-P could combine their educational budgets, the cuts wouldn’t have to go so deep.

“We’ve voted to do it and we have to wait a year. It’s costing us money,” he concluded.

When asked if PAC could shift some of its reserves, which currently stand at about $2.5 million, to P-P to prevent the layoffs, Kramer said he was unaware of a legal avenue to do so.

A s t h e b o a r d v o t e d unanimously to accept the faculty reductions board member Rachel Olson summarized the group’s consensus, tearfully concluding, “It’s not that we don’t love you. It’s not that you’re doing a bad job. It’s not that we don’t appreciate everything you’re doing. I just don’t think we have a choice.”

Pocahontas Manor

Care Center Medicare & Medicaid Certified Pocahontas, IA • 712-335-3386

130 North 29th Street • Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501515-955-2265 • www.csbfd.com

200 North Main Street • Pocahontas, Iowa 50574712-335-3322 • www.csbpoky.com

Member FDIC

CITIZENS STATE BANK

HALLMAN PROGRAMMING

Hardware/Software Sales & Service

Pocahontas, IA 712-335-3147

Bradgate Plover Manson Pocahontas Havelock Rolfe Gilmore City Pioneer RutlandGraettinger Milford TerrilWallingford Laurens Ruthven

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Record-DemocratPocahontas

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Pocahontas Community Hos-

pital606 NW 7th St., Pocahontas, IA

50574 • (712) 335-3501

233 N. Main (712)335-356711 W. Elm Ave. (712)335-3526

POCAHONTAS, IA 50574528 Hanson Ave. (712)359-2297

PALMER, IA 50571Member

FDIC

www.pocahontasstatebank.com

POCAHONTAS STATE BANK

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son and who shall believe in him shall not perish but have eternal life"✞

POWERS FUNERAL HOME Pocahontas, IA • 712-335-3334

Pocahontas, IA 712-335-4555

Bread of Life Church, Pocahontas • John Elkin, Pastor • 515-576-6395As of March 9, 2011, there will not be worship in Pocahontas until further notice.

Mailing address is Bread of Life, P. O. Box 146, Pocahontas, Iowa 50574. For more information, call Leland Samuelson 712-335-3736

Elfsborg Lutheran Church, Rural Pomeroy • Mark Galbraith, Pastor8:30 a.m. - Worship; 9:30 a.m. – No Summer Sunday School

Wed., April 20— 5:30-6:25pm-7th Confirmation; 6:30-7:25pm-8th ConfirmationThurs., April 21—7pm-Maundy Thursday @ St. PaulFri., April 22—7pm-Good Friday Worship @ St. JohnSun., April 24—9am-Worship/Communion @ St. Paul, coffee followingMon., April 25—9:30am-11am-Divine Drama @ St. JohnTues., April 26—7:30pm-Joanna Circle, Hostess-Marilyn Aden, Lesson-Jean PetersonWed., April 27—5:30-6:25pm-7th Confirmation; 6:30-7:23pm-8th Confirmation; 6:30pm-Women of the ELCA Salad Supper @ St. John

Evangelical Covenant Church, Rural Pomeroy• Dan Fullerton, Interim Pastor9:00 a.m. - Sunday School; 10:15 a.m. - Morning Service

Wed., April 20—5:30pm-Pioneer Club; 6pm-Confirmation & Bible Study; 7pm-CRUThurs., April 21—11:30am-Lenten Lunch CWM; 6:30pm-Maundy Thursday ServiceFri., April 22—Good FridaySun., April 24—9am-Easter Morning Service & BreakfastWed., April 27—9am-Mom’s Group ; 6pm- Adult Bible Study

Faith Lutheran Church, A.A.L.C. • Rural Palmer N-65 • Rev. Dennis D. Niles8:45 a.m. - Sunday School; 10:00 a.m. - Worship

Wed., April 20—6:30pm-ConfirmationThurs., April 21—7pm-Maundy Thursday Service/CommunionFri., April 22—Good FridaySun., April 24—8am-Sunrise Service; 8:45am-Easter Breakfast; No Sunday School; 10am-Worship ServiceTues., April 26—7am-Men’s Breakfast; 7:30pm-Worship Band Wed., April 27—6:30pm-Confirmation

Hope United Methodist Church • Pastor Clare DeBoef • 335-3663Sunday Worship: 8 a.m. - Plover, 9:15 a.m. - Havelock, 10:30 a.m. - Pocahontas

Sunday School: 9:15 a.m. – Pocahontas; 9:30 a.m. – Plover; 10:30 a.m. – HavelockWed., April 20—4pm-Wednesday School @ Plover; 6:30pm-Praise Jam Worship Service @ Poky; 7:15pm-ChoirThurs., April 21—1pm-Pocahontas UMW; 7pm-Holy Thursday Worship @ PokyFri., April 22—3pm-ECUMENICAL GOOD FRIDAY WORSHIP SERVICE AT HOPE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, POKY; May Newsletter DeadlineSun., April 24—6:30am-Sunrise Service @ Poky followed by 7am-Easter Breakfast; 8am-Worship @ Plover with Confirmation; 9:15am-Worship @ Havelock; 10am-Easter Worship with Confirmation @ PokyMon., April 25—Pastor’s day off; 6:30pm-Cub Scouts @ Poky; 7pm-Boy Scouts @ PokyTues., April 26—2pm-Bible Study @ PokyWed., April 27—4pm-Wednesday School @ Plover; 6:30pm-Praise Jam Worship Service @ Poky; 7:15pm-Choir

Pocahontas Regular Baptist Church • Pastor Tim Kuhn • 335-3191610 N. W. 6th Avenue, Pocahontas

9:15 a.m. - Sunday School; 10:30 a.m. - Worship Tuesdays — 10 a.m.-Ladies Bible Study @ Kay Johannes’; 7 p.m.-Ladies Bible Study @ Manson (Call Lynell Kuhn 712-358-0500)Wednesdays—7 p.m.-.Prayer Meeting and Know Your Bible Club (for all ages)Thursdays—6:15pm-Clean Heart, Clean Home, Ladies group; 6:45pm-Ladies Bible Study; 7pm-Men’s Bible StudySunday, April 24—8:30am-Easter Breakfast; 10am-Easter Service

Presbyterian Church U.S.A. • Pastor Lorinda H.M. Hoover • 712-297-8381Pocahontas--For church info, call Karen O’Neall, 335-4346

9:30 a.m. - Worship; 10:30 a.m. – CoffeeSunday, April 24—8:30am-Easter Breakfast; 9:30am-Celebration Service

Resurrection of Our Lord Catholic Church, Pocahontas • Father Andrew HoffmannWeekend Liturgies: Sundays - 8:30 a.m. Mass; Saturdays - 5:00 p.m. Mass

Thurs., April 21—5:30pm-Holy Thursday @ St. Margaret’s @ Rolfe & 7:30pm-Poky, ROLFri., April 22—Noon-Good Friday Service @ ROLSat., April 23—8:30pm-Holy Saturday @ ROLSun., April 24—8:30pm-Easter Mass @ ROL; 10:30am-St. Margaret’s

St. John Lutheran, Lizard Township, Palmer • Pastor Don Mann9:30 a.m. - Worship; 10:30 a.m. - Sunday School every 1st and 3rd Sundays of Month

Adult Bible Study after Worship Service on 1st and 3rd Sundays of MonthCommunion - First Sunday of Month

Fri., April 22—7:30pm-Good Friday ServiceSun., April 24—7:30am-Easter Sunrise Service with Breakfast following

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Palmer • Mark Galbraith, Interim Pastor8:30 a.m. - Worship; 9:00 a.m.

Wed., April 20—5:30-6:25pm-7th Confirmation; 6:30-7:25pm-8th Confirmation; 7pm-Hope Circle @ St. PaulThurs., April 21—7pm-Maundy Thursday @ St. PaulFri., April 22—7pm-Good Friday Worship @ St. JohnSun., April 24—9am-Worship/Communion @ St. Paul, coffee followingMon., April 25—9:30am-11am-Divine Drama @ St. JohnWed., April 27—5:30-6:25pm-7th Confirmation; 6:30-7:23pm-8th Confirmation 6:30pm-Women of the ELCA Salad Supper @ St. John

St. Peter Lutheran Church, Pocahontas• Pastor Paul Bengtson9: 00 a.m. – Worship

Wed., April 20—4pm-Christ’s Kids; 7pm-CouncilThurs., April 21—7pm-Maundy Thursday WorshipThurs., April 22—7pm-Good Friday WorshipSun., April 24—8am-Easter Worship; 10:30am-Easter WorshipMon., April 25—KEYS DEADLINEWed., April 27—6:30pm-Conirmation