School district lease opens income opportunity for FFA chapter

Board approves lease with school for deaf, visually impaired

By Amie Johansen

amie@charlescitypress.com

The Charles City School Board approved two out of three lease renewals during Monday night’s board meeting, giving the Charles City FFA department a chance to earn a profit with the use of a community member’s land.

The Charles City Community School District has entered into an agreement with the Northeast Regional Academy — a school to aid hearing and visually impaired students.

The Iowa School for the Deaf has occupied 1,076 square feet of space since March 1. A lease agreement for $800 per month for 16 months — ending June 30, 2017 — has been prepared and tentatively approved by the Iowa School for the Deaf. Last night, school board members approved this lease.

School board members discussed the lease the district holds with the First Congregational Society of Floyd County for classroom space for the Carrie Lane Program. This lease will expire as of July 31. Beginning with the 2016-17 school year, the 500 N. Grand building will no longer be used as the middle school as students move to the new building being built at the high school. This creates space for the Carrie Lane Program at the 500 N. Grand building. School board members approved allowing the Society lease to expire, moving the program to the 500 N. Grand building.

The third lease was an agreement between property owner Nick Bjelica and the Charles City FFA. The FFA would rent 42 acres in the area across Clark Street and south Comet Field. The lease was written as having begun March 1 with a duration until Feb. 28, 2017.

According to FFA President Mason Meyer and FFA freshman student Blake Frascht, seed and use of equipment was donated by a variety community members. A large majority of those who provided aid are Charles City FFA alumni.

The acreage is used as a learning tool with 27 acres planted into corn and 15 acres planted for hay. Besides becoming a student farming opportunity, FFA members will put in a cross country course that will surround land.

The annual rent is set for $2,776. This would not be payable until after the crop is harvested or Nov. 1. Profits from the harvest would be used to support the FFA program.

School board member Jim Frisbie spoke of his concern in having the corn harvested in time to be able to use the funds to pay for the lease. According to FFA advisor Jim Lundberg, the property is very sandy and the corn will need to be harvested earlier than preferred.

Once the corn and hay is harvested, Lundberg plans to work with Business Manager Terri O’Brien to appropriate funds. School board members approved the lease between Bjelica and the FFA.

Middle School Tours

In last night’s opening comments, Superintendent Dr. Dan Cox invited the community to participate in a tour of the new middle school. Roughly 400 people have had an opportunity to take a peek in the middle school-in-progress.

There are only three more tours scheduled before the middle school is completed.

“May 25, June 2 and June 7 at 5:15 p.m. we start in the high school cafeteria,” Cox said. “If you’re interested in taking one of these tours, contact Justin DeVore at district office.”  

DeVore can be reached by calling 641-257-6500. For those who can’t attend a walking tour, a virtual tour will be viewable on the district website after the June 7 tour.

Other agenda items

–– Approval of resignations: Teresa Severin, instructional assistant at Lincoln; Carrie Becker, library assistant

–– Approval of appointments: Tiffany Ranweiler, middle school English teacher, $40,860; Elizabeth Roth, high school English teacher; Clarissa Mathews, elementary teacher.