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Minds and Matter: In support for another 10 years of instructional levy
by Kevin Hatfield, School Superintendent · Op-Ed · February 05, 2015
The WBCSD’s Board of Education, its teachers and administration are hopeful that the community of West Branch will renew the District’s Instructional Support Levy (though a 10 year public vote.)
The ISL generates about $390,000 annually for our students.
The money supports instructional materials and supplies needed for students and curriculum needs.
There will not be a tax increase associated with this levy. The WBCSD has made excellent use of ISL funds for our students over the past 20 years. The community’s support has benefitted many, many students.
Uses of Instructional Support Levy moneys: First, the Iowa school funding plan is determined by a complex formula. Legislators knew that the formula alone may not provide sufficient money to support educational programs and created the instructional support program.
Appropriate / Approved general fund uses include:
• Student programs
• Textbooks
• Enrichment programs
• Software
• Materials
• Training and programs
• Classroom equipment and materials
• Instructional Support Levy funds cannot be used for general fund purposes in the following areas:
• Dropout prevention programs
• Talented and Gifted programs
• PPEL uses
• Management levy uses
What are the advantages of the Instructional Support Levy (ISL)?
The ISL provides 4 to 5 percent of the district’s annual regular program costs.
Without this funding, the district would need to make cuts to the regular program budget which would include possible: staff, transportation, classroom supplies, programs and software reductions.
At the Jan. 20 Board of Education meeting, the Board reviewed the proposed ISL resolution, as well as the importance of the ISL funds for the school district.
A public hearing to formally consider the district’s participation in the ISL program will be held on Feb. 9, at 5:30 p.m., in the West Branch High School auditorium.
By the way, the high school’s auditorium is being used to accommodate an important Kirkwood Regional Center presentation. We encourage all interested 8th -11th students and their parents to attend.
Instructional Support Programs are funds that come from instructional support state aid and a combination of property taxes and an income surtax levied annually upon the taxable property within the school district.
The school board will likely ask for the community’s continuing support for this levy.
We are grateful to the public for the past twenty years of support for the Instructional Support Levy.
Additional details regarding the process will be shared in the near future.
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