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The
Official Newspaper of Anamosa, located in Jones County, Iowa
Anamosa News
Since 1855
 Thursday,
December 6, 2007 |
State Could Replace SILO Tax with Statewide Penny Tax
by Ben Parker |
The Association of School Boards has a proposed bill that will repeal the current SILO (School Infrastructure Local Option) tax program and put in place a statewide penny sales tax program, which was a topic at the December 3 Anamosa School Board meeting.
The bill is expected to fix a lot of the inequities seen in the SILO program. Right now, many schools located in retail poor areas do not get nearly as much money as schools in prosperous areas. The proposed bill is designed to provide a fairer distribution.
The state wide penny tax proposed would not only replace the SILO tax but be applied to all 99 counties and put the revenue into a SAVE (Secure and Advanced Vision for Education) fund to be distributed among all schools in the state. This sales tax would apply to out-of-state transactions as well, hopefully encouraging Iowans to ‘buy Iowa’ and negate a loophole in the current SILO tax bill. In order to eleviate strain, the bill will provide a decrease in property taxes.
If the full bill were to pass, it would drop the local tax rate in the Anamosa district by $2.51 per thousand square feet. The benefits of removing the price cap per student would give the school a boost of $9,240, and the annual benefit for retail poor counties would be in excess of $350,000.
The board approved supporting this proposal. Now, it will be up to them to meet with the Anamosa City Council, Chamber of Commerce and many other local area groups to explain the benefits and garner sponsorship of the proposition. This will take place at the community breakfast on January 3 at 7 a.m. at the LCC.
Linda VonBehren was present to provide a report on the financial results of the 2006-07 fiscal year. She provided a list of numbers, by fund, showing the last fiscal year and a comparison to previous years. She explained the “whys” behind some of the changes and pointed out areas that could prove a concern. This information was filed with the state in the Certified Annual Report on September 24.
The board got to review a copy of the 2006-2007 Annual Progress Report that schools are supposed to submit by September 15. Schools are no longer required to provide a written document to the community, but Anamosa will continue the practice. The report is a breakdown of student data for selected classes. This information is detailed, going down to fine details such as socio-economic standing and split by gender. This year, the state wanted data on grades three-eight and eleven. The district went a step further and provided breakdowns for grades nine and 10 as well.
The written document is posted on the school’s website: www.anamosa.k12.ia.us.
The official report to the state can be found on the Department of Education’s website: www.iowa.gov/educate
The Teacher Quality Committee was present to provide an explanation of what they do, and what they’ve managed to achieve to date. The goal of the committee is to monitor the professional development of the district and its personnel to make sure that development is meeting everyone’s plans.
They also heard recommendations made by the Cadre group. The group is made up of both district personnel and residents of all ages to make sure priorities and concerns are handled properly.
There were six recommendations made in June to the board, and the board saw breakdown of what each school is doing to meet those goals.
The Board moved to approve on paying the DLR group $8000 for the additional work they will be doing on the land surveys. A formal contract has yet to be written, but will be provided soon.
Board Policy 402.15 had a modification for a first reading. This policy regards market factor pay, and the addition will allow any current staff to apply to fill a vacant role. The first reading was approved.
The board approved the request of $381,205 At-Risk funds from the state. This district’s request is due by December 15. Money will be awarded in March. The money is designated for programs for returning dropouts and drop-out prevention.
Anne Daily was part of the All-State Band concert in Ames, Iowa on November 17. What’s special about this Bassoon player is that this was be her fourth trip to All-State. In recognition of her achievement, the board provided a plaque and official recognition at the December 3 meeting.
In his report to the board, Anamosa Superintendent Dr. Dale Monroe has pointed out that one of the big reasons the school meals program isn’t doing as well as it should is related to the price increase of food, especially milk, which has gone up by about 27 percent.
Other major town entities want to have a large discussion with the school district about the Highway 64 school site.
The school is eligible to receive part of the settlement from Microsoft’s class-action suit. It pertains to product purchased as far back as 2002.
The DLR has provided a couple of ideas for thought about the nature of the school planning committees, and awaits a board response. Finally the board can start to form committees, and Monroe provided a list of what each committee does. He doesn’t expect any decisions until the next board meeting. |
Anamosa Tree Walk a Holiday Tradition
By Michelle Phillips |
Trees with flamingos, newspapers, flags, stones or water bottles are some of the creative ideas Anamosa residents come up with as decoration for the annual Anamosa Tree Walk. The annual event on December 7-9 is in its 18th year and going strong with about 80-100 trees on display.
Anamosa Parks and Rec Director Warren Spurgeon said the Tree walk was the idea of former Parks and Rec Director Scott Kelly.
“The original idea came from Scott Kelly when he was in Kalona, and he brought the idea with him,” Spurgeon said.
“In Kalona, our community club, each weekend in December, would do something different,” explained Kelly, who thought it would be fun to combine the events.
The Anamosa Tree Walk does just that. The event includes music, food and crafts.
“It’s a celebration of what Christmas really is, and it brings in a lot of people from out of town,” added Spurgeon.
“It has been a great success, and I’m really proud of it,” included Kelly.
He said the original committee of Bonnie Walderback, Diana DeSotel, Kathy Hansen and the late Donna Gerst looked at him like he was crazy when he proposed the idea. The idea took off, and the first year there were 40-50 trees.
Kelly said many people from the community got involved in the Tree Walk.
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“My dad, who died back in 1997, even made all the rope dividers. Each year, he would ask how many we needed,” Kelly recalled.
Spurgeon agreed that the Tree Walk brings the community together. “People have a really good time, and there’s a real sense of community,” he said.
Hansen still works on the Tree Walk and has been busy organizing vendors and entertainment for the event.
“We typically have about 25 vendors,” she said and added that the items offered include everything from candles and pillows to the quintessential holiday fruitcake.
Trees will go up on December 6, and there will be a sneak peek for nursing home residents and the disabled the afternoon of December 7. The Tree Walk will be open to the general public at 4:30 p.m. on December 7 and continue through the weekend.
Area residents will play a variety of holiday music throughout the weekend. (See schedule)
“We’re pleased that everyone gives their time and talent to the event,’ said Hansen. “It creates ambiance.”
Spurgeon included, “It adds to the whole experience.”
Friday, December 7
5:00 Dee Matthiessen, Piano Students
5:30 Dee Matthiessen, Piano Students
6:00 Julie Von Muenster Piano
6:30 Congregational Church
Betty Remley, Director
7:00 Young at Harp, Bev Armstrong
Saturday, December 8
Noon Rebecca Carter, Piano
12:30 Mary Ann Paulsen, Piano Students
1:00 St Paul Lutheran Church
Praise Band Laura Secrist
1:30 St Paul Lutheran Church
Celebration Singers Scott Francik
2:00 St Paul Lutheran Church
Quartet +1 Hank Biere
2:30 Marna Gae Ketelsen, Piano Students
3:00 Marna Gae Ketelsen, Piano Students
3:30 Emie Timmerman
& Melody Norton, Piano & Vocal
4:00 Anamosa High School Band
Leticia Ceynar, Director
4:30 Anamosa High School Band
Leticia Ceynar, Director
5:00 Nelda Miller Emnree, Piano
5:30 Starlighters Performers
Brian Glick, Director
6:00 Melody Norton
& Emie Timmerman Vocal & Piano
6:30 Anamosa High School Concert Choir
Eric Schubert, Director
7:00 AHS Sadie Street Singers
Eric Schubert, Director
7:30 The Parkers & Friends
Vocal and Guitar
Sunday, December 9
Noon West Middle School Choir
Lori Knuth, Director
12:30 West Middle School Choir
Andrew Buck, Director
1:00 Leonard Reyman Accordian Band
Leonard Reyman, Director
1:30 Leonard Reyman Accordian Band
Leonard Reyman, Director
2:00-4:00 Joan Andreesen Piano Students |
Anamosa Dance Team Scores Big at State
By Michelle Phillips |
The Anamosa Dance Team with Head Coach Amanda Gile. The team place 1st in Hip Hop, 1st in Poms and 4th in Jazz. Dance team members are: Jennie Grassi, Katie Dirks, Brittany Rubner, Bethany Kula, Caitlin Forrester, Ali Austin, Morgan Tjaden, Brittni Gutierrez, Kelley Jamison, Macki Ditch, Bailey Martensen, Kristina Moore and Aly Owens.
The following dancers made the All State team: Brittanie Rubner, Caitlin Forrester, Morgan Tjaden, Brittni Gutierrez and Macki Ditch. They will compete at the UDA National Competition in Florida February 1-5.
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319-462-3511,
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