News VS Pride Committee will help with donations for school programs

With budget cuts affecting several Vinton-Shellsburg programs, several people have been discussing the option of making donations to the school district.

Monday evening, Zach and Lisa Vermedahl told the Vinton-Shellsburg School Board about the new V-S Pride Committee that is being formed to help the district make the most of this interest in donations.

"The schools helped me out when I had tough times, and now that I am doing well, I want to turn it around and help the schools," said Zach.

The School Board also approved a policy that set guidelines for the giving, which will be done through the VS Foundation. That foundation was set up in 1996, Lisa Vermedahl told the school board.

The policy states that donations cannot be used to pay coaches' salaries, or other employee expenses such as FICA or IPERS costs.  The district also retains the right to determine the viability of programs, based on the number of participants and other factors.

Donations can be made at any time. Those making a donation of $100 or more will receive a receipt.

The specific programs listed for possible funding through donations include boys swimming, assistant coaches for track and cheerleading and varsity basketball. Several Middle School programs are also affected, including photography, Student Council, plays, and Sadd. The VSHS drill team, the VIking Voyagers, along with high school SADD, Math League, and the Ambassador Club are among programs that will not be funded for the next two years.

Donations, however, can be made for other programs, as well.

Below is more information from the VS Pride Committee:

 A new group called the Vinton-Shellsburg Pride Committee has been formed. It has been started as a way for all supporters of the Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District to help raise money to support our school district. We want our schools to be as strong as the communities that make up our district.
 
     The administration, on behalf of the school district, will accept donations to support activities, academics, and other opportunities for Vinton-Shellsburg students. Tax-deductible donations will flow through the Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District Foundation. This Foundation was organized in 1996 as a 501c(3) non-profit corporation.  In the past this foundation has received donations and bequests for school projects, scholarships, and other educational purposes. Some examples besides scholarships are purchasing science equipment and the donation of the land for the new high school.
 
     The School Board took action during the springs of 2009 and 2010 that impacted several positions and programs that are included in Schedule B of the master contract with the Vinton-Shellsburg Education Association. Specifically, the following positions were eliminated impacting the programs and opportunities for our students.  Donations of any amount may be made toward reinstating these programs.  
 
 

• Varsity Basketball Assistant Coaches
• Track Assistant Coach
• Cheerleading Assistant Coach
• Boys' Swimming                               
• Middle School Photography              
• Middle School Student Council
• Middle School Plays
• Middle School SADD
• High School Drill Team (Voyagers)
• High School Ambassador Club
• High School SADD
• High School Math League
• High School Band Assistant
• Department Chair Stipends       

 
     Donations may also be made to the General Fund for general expenses.
 
     In response to inquiries from the community, the School Board's Policy committee, with input from the superintendent, high school principal, assistant principal and activities director, developed the following guidelines:
 
 

• All donations will flow through the V-S Community School Foundation. General donations may be made at any time.
• For targeted donations, one volunteer will act as the contact person for all donations for specific programs. He/she will collect funds and provide the Foundation with one payment (although the payment may consist of several or many patrons' donations.)        NOTE: We need to figure out the mechanics of this--there could be problems doing it this way.
• The V-S School District Foundation will write a receipt for each donor who contributes $100 or more and it would be considered tax-deductible.
• For a program to be offered during the 2010-11 school year, all donations must be collected and deposited prior to June 1, 2010. (For programs for the 2011-2012 school year, all donations must be received and deposited prior to the last day of the activity during 2010-2011.)
• If donations are received that would cover the previous year's coach/sponsor's stipend plus applicable FICA and IPERS payments, the district will be responsible for the costs associated with travel. official fees, entry fees, etc.
• Students cannot solicit donations for the salary/FICA/IPERS costs.
• The school district retains the right to select the sponsor/coach (per the master contract.)
• The school district retains the right to determine the minimum number of students who must participate in an activity for it to remain viable. This will be done on a case-by-case and program-by-program basis established by the Activities Director and High School Principal as recommended to the superintendent.
• The district must adhere to all federal and state requirements including Title 9.

 
     If you are interested in joining the V-S Pride committee or donating to our schools you may contact:
 
     Zach or Geannette Vermedahl at zdvermedahl@msn.com
     Tim Bird at tim@peppysicecream.com
     Jan McLeod at MCsains@commspeed.net
     Lisa Vermedahl at vermedahl@hotmail.com
     Sue Gates at dasugates@msn.com