New London school board discuss funding for next school year

BY BRYCE KELLY

Mt. Pleasant News

NEW LONDON ? New London Community School board members now have a general idea of the 2016-2017 open enrollment numbers after their most recent meeting on Monday, Oct. 17, which greatly determines funding for the upcoming school year.

Certified enrollment consists of the number of students receiving funding from the New London Community School District that have to be reported to the State of Iowa on a yearly basis. According to data, numbers look to be fairly consistent with past years.

?Resident public students we have attending our district (at the time of the assessment) was 447. However, we had 73 kids who were open enrolled in, and 43 kids who were open enrolled out,? said board secretary/treasurer, Jessica Boyer, explaining that those numbers will directly effect district funding.

Numbers for this report were counted on Oct. 1, and of those students who are considered resident students, the district will receive funding for next year.

The New London Community School Board did approve the 2016-2017 open enrollment numbers.

In other news from the board?s relatively short meeting on Monday evening, the board also discussed moving to electronic board packets at the suggestion of Boyer, who said that moving to an electronic board packet may make communication among board members much easier overall.

?Right now, I do prepare board packets on paper. But I do plan on talking to the district?s technology director to see if we can somehow set up a confidential site that we could upload the board packets to,? Boyer explained. ?The reason for this is because it?s a paper saver first and foremost. Secondly, it?s more of a timesaver for the board in terms of when they would receive their packets.?

The board did discuss the issue, saying they were open to the idea if it would be more economical and convenient for all parties involved with preparing and reading board packets prior to the monthly board meetings. And while nothing was decided upon officially, Boyer said she would research the topic further and return to the board again with more details on switching to an electronic board packet.

Also discussed and approved by the board during Monday?s meeting was the 2016-2017 School Improvement Advisory Committee. The committee, which is organized annually, is made up of 12 various members of the New London community including parents, school board members, school staff and New London Community School students. The committee is charged with discussing ways to improve the school?s grounds, technology and educational practices.

Finally, the board approved the resignation of kitchen worker, Dana Boles and the termination of special education associate, Jody Meyer. The board also approved the appointments of Nic Chiri, volunteer wrestling coach; Damon Loyd, volunteer wrestling coach; Darrin Loyd, volunteer wrestling coach; Mark McSorley, volunteer wrestling coach; Mike Richart, volunteer wrestling coach; Jesse Howard, volunteer boys basketball coach; and Kyle Helmerson, volunteer football coach.

The board?s next regular meeting will be held on Monday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m., in the New London Community School District Board Room.