Enrollment Still Unsettled for 2021-22
It is still difficult to project our enrollment for the 2021-22 school year. On the positive side, we have the potential for an enrollment increase of nearly 20 students since our October 1st official enrollment count for the 2020-21 school year. On the other hand, the return rate of tuition contracts for the next school year has been the slowest we’ve seen for many years, and there are contracts for nearly 30% of the potential K-8 student body still outstanding. For multiple grade levels, the discrepancy is the difference between one section of 20-24 kids or two sections of 15-20 each. This predicament is especially pronounced in grades 2-6 and 8. From a financial perspective, it’s a difference of around $400,000 on a $2.4 million budget. It’s enough of a difference to delay all summer purchasing such as for new textbooks, technology, and furnishings. It’s enough of a difference for teachers to be left wondering what grade(s) they will be teaching next school year. Many decisions are made based upon projected enrollment, and we need your timely help.
If you have not yet returned your 21-22 tuition contract, please do so ASAP. If you have run into some financial challenges that have delayed paying this year’s tuition, which, in turn, has delayed the issuance of a tuition contract for next year, please communicate with Fr. Jake in the parish office. If your children will not be returning to JFK next year, please also let us know that so we can adjust accordingly.
See below for more information on how your net tuition bill can be decreased by $250 per student for next year.
Net Tuition Decreases: HF 847 Makes Changes to Education in Iowa
Governor Reynolds signed HF 847 on about ten days ago. Below are three highlighted elements:
- Parents may receive a tuition credit on their taxes up to 25% on the first $2,000 spent for each K-12 dependent’s tuition and textbook fees. This tax credit increase is the equivalent of reducing your tuition bill next year by $250 per student!
- The tax credit available to someone who donates to a school tuition organization increases from 65% to 75%. If a person donates $100 to an STO, for example, his/her tax bill is reduced by $75. This change makes it even more advantageous to donate to an STO. The Mississippi Valley School Tuition Organization funds tuition assistance for Scott County Catholic Schools.
- The cap on the tax credits available for donors to STOs increases from $15 million to $20 million by January 2022. More money donated to STOs means more money available for financial assistance to our families.
Summer Programming
The Iowa Department of Education (DE) discussed how to access federal funds that many schools, including JFK, were going to use for summer programming. The (DE) said that services for which federal funds were going to be used could not begin until at least July 1st, with July 7th or 9th more likely start dates. Due to this new information, our June session of Leaps & Bounds has been cancelled. We were, however, able to find staff to be able to offer two classes for session II of Leaps & Bounds in July. Those who registered for the June session are in the process of being contacted to see if they would like a spot for July.
JFK staff members Kathy Neuberger and Kayelyn Blake are also available for one-on-one tutoring this summer. The cost for tutoring is $11 per half hour or $22 per hour. Arrangements and scheduling are done with the teachers: kathy.neuberger@olvjfkmail.com and kayelyn.blake@olvjfkmail.com.
Ethan Connors will also be offering private instrumental lessons this summer at the same rates as tutoring: ethan.connors@olvjfkmail.com.
Vacation Bible School is for students entering kindergarten – 5th grade for the 2021-22 school year. The dates are July 15 & 16 from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. with special activities also at the 11:00 Mass on July 18. There is no cost to VBS this year. Questions may be directed to Kaye Meyers, Coordinator of Faith Formation for OLV Parish, 563-391-8384.
Last Day of School – June 11
June 11th is JFK’s last day of the school year. There is no early dismissal for JFK as the DCSD does not dismiss for the year until the following week.
COVID Data
Below is a link to a .pdf file that shows several graphs of Scott County and JFK data.
- Scott County’s COVID numbers continue to decline. Colors are starting to change in the transmission risk factors charts too!
- The Pfizer vaccination has now been approved for those ages 12 and up. Here is a link that can direct you to providers in the area: Vaccinations
- JFK’s illness numbers have jumped up a little bit recently, but our COVID numbers remain miniscule. We haven’t had a positive case identified in a student or staff member for well over a month now.
- Absences at JFK also jumped on Friday for the holiday.
HVAC Project Update — SCRA Grant Received
- Work on the roof continued this past week in preparation for the condensers to be installed.
- We received a $30,000 grant from the Scott County Regional Authority (Bettendorf Riverboat).
Chad
