Voters decide March 16 if the Mid-Prairie School District will have a ten-year Instructional Support Levy that could add nearly $500,000 annually to district revenues.

The Mid-Prairie Board of Education Monday unanimously approved the resolution calling for the districtwide vote in March. If passed, it would raise an estimated $474,474 total funds in local tax levy and increased state aid.

Although the board did not fix percentages at Monday’s meeting, there was strong agreement that the levy should derive primarily from an income tax surcharge rather than from property tax.

The nearby Highland School District levy is entirely from a surtax and the Washington levy is an equal split between surtax and property tax.

Board member Ed Whetstine strongly advised the board against going with a heavy property tax levy, especially in view of the current agricultual situation.

“It shouldn’t be completely an income tax charge,” he said, but warned the board that a heavy property tax percentage would be voted down by the area’s farmers.

During the public hearing, Scott Stapleton of Kalona and a member of the levy support committee, urged the board to be specific about what the levy money will finance.

“They (the voters) will not vote for more money without specifics about how it will be used,” he said.

Another committee member, Patti Stutzman agreed, telling the board that it is important that the public know how the money will be used.

“There have to be informational meetings, which I hope they will attend, and have it explained to them,” she said.

Superintendent Gordon Cook noted that the district has a list of items, derived from district Town Meetings of a “couple years ago” as well as a recent one that covered everything from all-day daily kindergarten to updating textbooks and other materials.

However, Stapleton noted that the district is underfunded right now, noting that most of a school budget generally goes to staff costs.

Cook agreed that the district “needs funds to continue doing what we’re doing now.”

He explained that the district reserves had been used to help fund programs, rather than one-time expenses. In some cases, the programs were mandated ones for which the district had no other funding.

As a result, Cook stressed, that the levy also would be used to set aside funds to rebuild the reserves.

Weight room

For nearly 25 people who attended the meeting, an important part of a possible levy is securing funds for a new weight room.

Athletic Director Don Showalter told the board “the weight room needs to be expanded at the high school,” outlining greatly increased use, higher student enrollment, crowded conditions and growing community interest in using the facility.

In fact, Showalter stressed that even without levy passage, something needs to be done about the weight room.

As a result, the district’s Athletic Boosters are willing to help raise funds for the project, but the expense is such “we cannot fund all of it,” said Ron Gingerich of the Boosters. Consequently, the group is asking that part of the levy funds be designed for the project.

Because of the immediate necessity, the Boosters asked for board help in forming a committee to plan and build the facility.

‘We want to start as soon as possible,” Gingerich said.

Board President Tracy Anderson asked for recommendations for the committee, and Gingerich said “Every level. Boosters, board, administration.”

Boosters member Gary Fisher stressed that “we have to get started now,” and Anderson said that a committee could be arranged this week.

At present there are 306 students at the high school (expected to increase this fall) and 61 percent are involved in at least one sport, all of which required weight training. In addition, the facility is used as part of regular education classes.

Michael Huston, speaking for the student athletes, stressed that students are using the facility at 6 a.m., “which shows dedication,” and urged the board to upgrade the program to keep the district competitive with other schools.

In other business, the board:

•accepted the resignation of Ruby Kern as secretary at Kalona Elementary School for health reasons. The position will be advertised.

•agreed to transfer Shirley Lintz from cook’s helper to general cook.

•approved Laural Marquis as the Middle School Spirit Squad Leader (previously the junior high school cheerleading sponsor).