Energy Savings Continue

The school district just received the Energy Savings Progress Report for the time period December 2011 through February 29, 2012. During this time period the district avoided $12,058 in energy costs compared to the same time period as last year. There was a 6% reduction in total enegy (Btu) used.

These are the results we are seeing by changing behavior and how the school district uses electricity and natural gas.

Click here for the program we use as a resource for energy savings.

Delano School Board Monthly Meeting

The regular meeting of the school board will be held Monday, May 21 beginning at 7p at Delano City Hall. Click here to see agenda. Note there is a hearing regarding implementing a fee for participation in College in the Schools classes for next year.

Operating Levy Information

Click here for the latest update on the operating levy that will be on the ballot on November 6.

High School Principal Hired

Steve Heil has been hired as the high school principal beginning in 2012-13 replacing Matt Schoen, who has been named superintendent beginning July 1. Click here for news release.

Run Schools Like a Business

Click here to see why schools cannot be run like business.

Delano Public School School Board Meeting for March 19, 2012

Click here to see agenda for the regular meeting of the Delano School Board.

Delano School Board 2012

   Standing L-R: Peter Brasket, Sarah Baker and Corey Black.
Seated L-R: Randy Durick, Amy Johnson, Carolyn Milano and Lisa Seguin.

Voter Approved Operating Levy Facts and History

• Delano’s $426 operating levy expires at the end of the 2012-13 school year. It needs to be increased at the November 6, 2012 election to maintain current level of operations.

• The district has a budgeted General Fund deficit of $608,000 for the current fiscal year, which will be covered by reserves. The District is in the process of cutting approximately $800,000 from the FY13 General Fund Budget.
• Delano is authorized for a $733 per student operating levy but levies for just $426. The $307 difference was approved by voters in November 2007 for 10 years and was for the operation of a new building but the bond levy failed for the new building and the board has been committed to not levy the $307 because of  its intended purpose. Authority for this levy expires June 30, 2019.
• At $426 per pupil the levy ranks 86 out of 366. The tax burden is $89K per $100K of Referendum Market Value (RMV).
• At $733 per pupil the levy ranks 176 out of 366. The tax burden is $154 per $100K of tax value.

• The average operating levy in Minnesota is $896 per pupil and the average tax burden is $166 per $100K of RMV.
• On November 8, 2011 the district held a special election for a $990 increase in the operating levy for 10 years. This levy would have kept the district in a positive cash flow situation (10% fund balance) until at least 2016 with conservative spending and no anticipated increases in state aid. The tax impact would have been $124 per $100,000 of tax value.
• The vote failed on November 8, 2011 with 1450 (53%) voting no and 1291 (47%) voting yes. There was a 39.8% turnout. In the last general election in November 2010 there was a 73.6% turnout, which can probably be expected in November 2012.

February School Board Meeting

The regular meeting of the Delano School Board is Monday, February 27 at Delano City Hall. Click here for agenda.

FIRST Robotics

I visited the group of students constructing the robot for the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognitions of Science and Technology) competition that is coming up at the University of Minnesota. Click here to see the video.

Important Meetings

There are three important meetings the week of February 6:

1. The school board will hold a special meeting on Monday, February 6 at 7:00 p.m. to hear input on the qualities desired in the new superintendent. 
2. Precinct caucuses are Tuesday, February 7. These neighborhood gatherings of political parties provide opportunities for resolutions to be presented that can then work their way through that party’s system and become part of its platform. School issues need support in these caucuses. Click here to find your caucus. 
3. Citizens League State Budget Workshop will be held at Delano City Hall on Wednesday, February 8 at 7:00 p.m. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the state budget, which has a direct bearing on all governmental entities, especially schools. Click here for further information and registration information.

Calendar for 2012-13

Click here to see the calendar for the 2012-13 school year that was officially adopted yesterday.

Upcoming Meetings

The regular monthly meeting of the school board will be held on Monday, January 23, 7:00 p.m. at Delano City Hall. Click here for the agenda.

On February 6 the school board will hold a special meeting to take input from school district patrons on what qualities they should be looking for in the hiring of the new superintendent at Delano City Hall at 7:00 p.m.

On February 8, the Delano Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee will host a Non-Partisan State Budget Workshop put on by the Citizens League. These workshops are very informative and offer the opportunity to get educated about the state budget and provide input that does get presented to the Governor and state legislators. The workshop is at Delano City Hall at 7:00 p.m. Please RSVP to DACC@delanochamber.com or call 972-6756 as we need to know how many to plan for. Click here for further information.

Superintendent Search Begins

Delano Public Schools is seeking qualified applicants for the position of superintendent as I announced my retirement at the December 19, 2012 school board meeting. Click here for informational brochure.

School Board Opening

The Delano School District is seeking applications for an unexpired term on the school board through appointment by the school board. The person appointed will serve until December 31, 2012. The seat will be on the ballot at the  November 6, 2012 election and it will be for a two-year term. Click here for the application.

Organizational Meeting of School Board

The school board held its organizational meeting on January 5. Amy Johnson was elected chair. Click here to see other officers and their terms of office.

School Board Sets Tax Levy for 2012

At the December board meeting the school board certified tax levies for taxes payable in 2012 as follows:

• Total General Fund levy includes voter approved operating levy ($426 per student) $2,086,685.
• Community Education $209,028.
• Debt Service $2,327,550.
• Total levy $4,623,264 which is a decrease of $264,183 or 5.41% from the previous year.
• This is the second year in a row that the levy has been lowered. The 2011 levy was 9.41% less than 2010 so over the past two years the levy has been decreased by a total of $791,586 or 14.82%