December Board Meeting Highlights

Each month the North Cedar School Board shares a few highlights of our monthly board meetings. These takeaways are messages that the board collectively feels are important for the public to know. Here are the highlights from the Dec. 21, 2020, meeting:

Remote Learning Trial Successful. The board applauds North Cedar staff, students and families for embracing the remote learning trial before and after Thanksgiving break. The stakeholder survey results indicated a positive experience by most. The trial and survey feedback has led to further refining the remote learning model. The board agrees that students learn best in a traditional in-person classroom environment; however, it is reassuring that if full or partial remote learning would become necessary, a viable system is in place. The board acknowledges and appreciates the additional efforts of North Cedar teachers and staff to plan and execute remote learning all while facilitating in-person instruction. Thank you.

Financial Health. The district continues to remain financially stable despite a downward trend in student population over the last several years. Cost-saving efforts including sharing staff with neighboring districts, early retirement incentive plans, energy savings and other expense reductions have allowed North Cedar to continue to maintain student programming and remain financially viable by maintaining a solvency ratio of 14.9% for the 2019-20 fiscal year. The solvency ratio is the measurement of expenditures to cash reserves and is one metric used to assess school district health. At the meeting, the board also approved supporting a resolution for the sale of $3.6 million in School Infrastructure Sales, Services and Use Tax Revenue Refunding Bonds. The sale is a refinance of existing construction debt and is projected to save district patrons approximately $175,000 in interest payments.

Honoring Todd Cox. The unexpected passing of teacher Todd Cox has impacted many in the North Cedar community. While we grieve, we also pay tribute to the valuable contributions Mr. Cox made to the lives of many North Cedar students. His legacy will not be forgotten.

To view the full agenda and attachments of North Cedar School Board meetings, click the Online Board App button at https://north-cedarstu.org/Board_of_Education. Meeting minutes are also posted online following each meeting.