Geneva School Board Meetings in Review

A quick recap of the most recent Geneva 304 Board of Education meeting of November 26, 2013

1. PMA Five-Year Plan Update – Steve Miller, a representative of one of the District’s financial advisers, updated the five-year projection report using a tax levy increase of 1.0% for FY 2014.  Future projected levy increases were 2.0% for FY 2015 and 2.5% from FY 2016 through FY 2019.  Board member Mike McCormick requested that 0% increases be projected for the next two years and then 2% thereafter.  A discussion ensued about the affect on fund balances with the lower levy amounts.  The board president abruptly ended the discussion when a resident asked the PMA representation to go back to a previous page in the presentation.  The representation was told not to do it.  PMA is going to provide copies of the various scenarios to the District.  I’m assuming they will be posted on the District website. 
2. AP District Honor Roll – the College Board has named the Geneva School District to it’s AP Honor Roll.  This is based on an increase in the number of AP classes while maintaining an increase in the number of students taking the AP Test and scoring above a 3.  Many colleges accept a test score of 3-5 as college credit.  Thus a student taking an AP class in high year, and receiving a score of 3 or better could take fewer classes in college.
3. Board Comments – 

• A discussion about all-day kindergarten occurred during board comments.  Leslie Juby stated that the state is considering making all-day kindergarten mandatory in 2016.  The parents would not contribute to the cost of an all-day program.  Leslie is in support and hopes all-day kindergarten is approved. Geneva is currently studying all-day and plans to have costs by early 2014.

• A discussion about the Music Boosters request for new band uniforms led to a decision that the Music Boosters need to bring a proposal to Donna Oberg.  It is expected that the District will share the cost with the boosters but the District may have to pay the entire cost upfront and be reimbursed over time by the Boosters.  It is thought that the boosters have raised about $20,000, the entire cost will be about $113,000.