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The Summerland School District will operate on a $13,331,200 budget in 2021-22.

Board members approved the proposed budget and tax levy request during Monday's regular board meeting, the first held at the new school facility.

During the budget hearing, held prior to the regular meeting, Superintendent Kyle Finkle said land valuations remained steady, except in Holt County, which saw a 9.24% decrease.

"The proposed budget is to decrease general asking from 65 cents and change to 55 cents and change this year," Finke said.

Combined with a 17-cent bond request, "roughly 72 cents to cover all expenses of the school district," Finke said.

The budget represents a 7% drop in the total tax rate.

The adopted budget and expenditure totals, by fund, include: Depreciation Fund, $422,200; Employee Benefit Fund, $135,865; Activities Fund, $707,100; Hot Lunch Fund, $516,829; Special Building Fund, 5,232,592; Student Fee Fund, $42,779.

General Fund spending covers daily operation of the district.

Business manager Sally Finch said incentive money to individuals who took an early retirement option is included.

All but one have been paid.

"That's a chunk that won't be needed in the future," she said.

Finke said the district expects to receive $751,000 in ESSER 3 funding, through the America CARES Act, which may be spent over a three-year period. The district will use funds to pay salaries for an instructional coach and four paraeducators. Approximately $229,000 will be used to boost math, science and social studies curriculum.

"We won't have to take that out of the General Fund to purchase (items)," Finke said.

Another option, for leftover funds, would be to update the van fleet. The superintendent said four or five vans have more than 140,000 miles. "I think another good place for that would (be) to use it to upgrade the fleet," he said.

District patrons will be asked to share ideas for ESSER III fund spending. A link to a Google survey will be on the district's website, under the COVID-19 tab.

"A public survey is part of

the process. With our return to in-person learning, our plan must be reviewed every six months," Finke said.

In addition to local-source funding, expected revenue includes $32,000 from county and ESU sources; $684,884 from state sources; $2,225,000 from federal programs; and $505,000 from non-revenue sources, which include insurance adjustments and sale of property.

During public comment, former Clearwater Board of Education member Regina Krebs, said, "When I go back to what we had on the comparison when we went into this entire building project, actually, we're really close to where we ended up for the year ... I'm pleasantly surprised we got as close as we did, for projection's sake."

Patron Kevin Schrunk asked if a per-pupil cost had been calculated. Finke said that amount will be determined by the last day of the month.

Finch said after the audit, a per pupil cost will be released by the state for the previous year.

"There won't be a per pupil cost for this year until a year from now," she said. "I would expect it to be more in line with schools our size."

In other business, the board:

• learned dirt work for the playground has been completed. Finke said the installer, Bode Dostal, is "hopeful" to be here in the future. "He knows we don't have any playground equipment," he said.

Dostal supplied a $17,000 bid for curbing around the playground area.

"It came in a little high," Finke said.

The superintendent also said a hiccup in the office suite plumbing is being fixed this week.

• talked briefly about a demo package and specifications, from Wilkins Architecture Design Planning, regarding the Orchard building. Building and Grounds Committee members will meet Thursday and bring a recommendation to the October meeting.

• established a rule for position of gates along the walking track, per state fire marshal recommendations.

• heard interested has been expressed in the Ewing building.

Board president Ed Nordby said now that school has started in the new facility, it is time to have a discussion on the future of the building.

Steven Thiele asked if Wilkins ADP should be looking at the elementary building for potential demolition.

Principal Greg Appleby said a bid he received two years ago came in at approximately $150,000.

Marty Kerkman asked what real estate would be available for sale.

Nordby said land located southeast of the high school, currently a parking lot, the grade school lot and football field block.

Appleby said the Village of Ewing owns the area where the lift station is located.

"The community has expressed interest in the playground area," Nordby said.