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School board debates 80/20 referendum split and who would receive wage funds; board to finalize ballot language after public hearing
Summary
Board members discussed proposed referendum ballot language allocating 80% for employee pay increases and 20% for deferred maintenance; superintendent said the 80/20 split matches peer districts and distribution within the 80% would be bargained with employee groups.
Polk County School Board members debated referendum ballot language at the Aug. 12 work session over whether to commit 80% of proposed revenue to employee compensation and 20% to deferred maintenance, or to shift to an 85/15 split. Superintendent Hyde said the district’s proposal follows peer examples and that the board will determine distribution of the employee portion after a public hearing and bargaining with employee organizations.
Superintendent Hyde explained the proposed 80/20 split is aligned with sample language used by other districts and that 20% for deferred maintenance helps fund a likely large maintenance backlog. “I don’t believe that we can accomplish all those other program needs with only 15%,” Hyde said, adding that several peer districts use similar splits.
Board member Sharpless floated an 85/15 split but said he was exploring options. Several board members asked for clarity about which employee groups would benefit; Hyde and staff said the intent is to target teachers and school‑based staff (paraprofessionals, food service and bus drivers) and that distribution formulas would be negotiated with PEA and AFSCME. Hyde clarified that school‑based administrators and non‑union groups were not part of the stated distribution unless the board later chose otherwise.
Board members emphasized transparency about the ballot language and timeline. Hyde said the board would not finalize referendum language at the workshop but would approve draft language to begin a 30‑day public notification and hearing process; the final ballot language and the internal distribution of the employee share would be settled after public input and bargaining.
Several members signaled tentative support for the 80/20 split given maintenance needs and the ability to negotiate the allocation of employee funds. Hyde said bargaining would proceed with union representatives to develop a distribution plan once the board approves tentative language and proceeds with the public hearing process.
