March 29, 2024

Newton schools to add additional educational associates

Board cites possible need to increase tax levy

In an effort to address the needs of special education students in the district, the Newton Community School District board gave its approval to hire additional educational associates at Monday night’s regular board meeting. Questions still remain as to how the district will address the funding shortfall in special education. Board President Travis Padget said the district may need to consider increasing the tax levy in next year’s budget.

Following the last board meeting, Superintendent Bob Callaghan reached out to principals to query them about the need for additional educational associates. Initially, administrators identified a need for five more educational associates, two at Berg Middle School, and one each at Thomas Jefferson, Emerson Hough and Aurora Heights Middle Schools. On Monday, Callaghan informed the board that number has risen to six, with an additional associate needed at Woodrow Wilson Elementary. The average salary for a paraprofessional is $13.51 an hour and all of the positions would be part-time, with a schedule of 27.5 hours per week. The proposal would cost the district approximately $90,000 and would increase the budget shortfall in special education to a projected $404,000.

During Monday’s meeting principals testified before the board that increased staffing was essential to meet the needs of special education students. Each special education student has an Individualized Education Plan, an IEP, which is updated yearly. The plans are tailored to each student, and many include a requirement for the student to receive one on one assistance. With an increasing number of students, educators are strained to provide the resources state law requires. Emerson Hough Principal Jolene Comer said teachers have skipped lunches and given up on prep time in order to meet the needs of special education students.

With only three educational associates for K-5 students, Thomas Jefferson Principal Trisca Mick said she’s been using substitutes every week to cover the gap.

“We are trying to figure out in any way we possibly can to cover the minutes,” Mick said.

Board member Robyn Friedman said she supported the decision to hire additional staff, telling fellow board members it is critical the board addresses teachers’ needs in order to build trust with staff.

“If we’re going to make this situation better we are the ones that give the OK,” Friedman said. “We need to do our part, they’ve been attempting to do their part.”

Callaghan cautioned board members that continuing to increase spending would have an adverse effect on the district’s budget and may require increasing the tax levy in the future. Board members will set the district budget for fiscal year 2019 next April, and board president Padget called the tax levy “the next step in the conversation.” Padget said historically the board has been very cautious about increasing the tax levy, but that may need to change as administrators identify unmet needs in the district.

“If we keep spending more than we budgeted then there need to be taxes to pay that back,” Callaghan said.

After meeting with principals Sept. 26, Callaghan directed staff members to post the job listings for the educational associates principals requested. It’ll be up to principals to review the applications,\ and make a final decision on hiring new staff members, Callaghan said.

Board members also voted to approve the purchase of a new truck for the maintenance department. The truck, a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4X4 Crew Cab will be purchased from Karl Chevrolet for a sales price of $30,115.90 for maintenance supervisor Jack Suttek. The price represents the best deal the district is able to get, and Suttek noted that the pricing was comparable to the rate that the state of Iowa and the IDOT pay. On Monday, Suttek told the board the department wasn’t sure if they’d pare down the fleet of seven existing trucks in order to make room for the newest acquisition. Suttek will order the truck this week, but it could take several weeks until it’s ready for delivery.

“They had black and white in stock, but I told the guy, ‘We’re the Cardinals, I want a red one,’” Suttek said.

Contact David Dolmage at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or ddolmage@newtondailynews.com