CNA-12-24-2015

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THROWBACK NEWS

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Twenty years ago, Creston police officer Duane Osmun had been called to active duty for nine months to aid the Bosnian peace effort. More Throwback news on page 2A. >>

The Creston News Advertiser office closed at noon today and will remain closed on Christmas Day. The News Advertiser wishes everyone a safe, happy and healthy holiday season.

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News Advertiser WEEKEND EDITION

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2015

One-on-one with Santa Claus By IAN RICHARDSON CNA staff reporter

irichardson@crestonnews.com

Santa Claus is sure no stranger to Creston. The jolly old saint has made several appearances here during the holiday season, taking toy requests, posing with pets and, as it so happens, doing media interviews. With the hours ticking down until his toy-stuffed sleigh lifts off from the North Pole, Santa took one final break from his Christmas Eve preparations to answer a few questions about this year’s hot toys, tonight’s forecast and some of his favorite Christmas carols. Here’s what he had to say. CNA: Well, Santa, tonight’s CNA photo by KYLE WILSON the big night. Are you on Santa Claus hugs two toddlers at Creston fire station earlier this month. Santa has made several appearances in Creston during schedule? SC: So far, my elves at the the holiday season to take toy requests and spread holiday cheer. North Pole are working very ed subscriber, you know. I love hard. There are a few popular tag with them. reading the letters from the CNA: You’re in Creston items out there that my elves kids and what they’re looking quite a bit around the holidays. are doing their best to finish forward to. What do you think of the kids up, but we should be done right here? CNA: The weather’s been on time this year. SC: Oh, the kids are abso- pretty warm and wet around CNA: What toys are in de- lutely wonderful here. You here lately. How are conditions mand this year? give them a smile and they up at the North Pole? SC: This year I’ve gotten a smile right back. You ask them SC: Well, global warming has lot of requests for robot dogs. to help you out and they’re made it a little bit warmer, but And, of course, the kids always always willing to reach out a it’s still 30 below, so we’re dolove those Nerf toys. They like helping hand. I’ve gotten all of ing pretty good. Kind of warm to shoot them, and they have their letters from the newspa- for us, but we’re still staying fun running around and playing per, too. I’m a pretty dedicat- toasty by the fire, warming up

with Mrs. Claus’s world-famous hot cocoa with peppermint sprinkles. CNA: How is Mrs. Claus? SC: She’s doing well. You know, we couldn’t do it without Mrs. Claus and the wonderful support that she gives. She keeps us all in line up there at the North Pole, keeping us all on our schedules. She knows what has to be done and lets us know what we need to get finished. And she keeps us all well-fed, as you can see (pats belly and chuckles). CNA: And how’s Rudolph? SC: Rudolph is doing great. His nose is shining brighter than ever. He’s an old pro by now, but he’s been working out and he’s ready to run hard this year. In fact, it’s looking like we might have another foggy Christmas Eve on our hands, but I know he’s up to the challenge, and his nose will light the way for us. CNA: Would you say belief in you is up or down this year? SC: Oh, I believe it’s up, and thank goodness it is. That’s how we keep the sleigh a-going: with Christmas spirit. CNA: Is anyone in Creston on the Naughty List? SC: There might be a few. But you know what? There’s still time for them to make the

Nice List. I check it twice, you know, just to be sure I don’t miss anybody before I come to town. CNA: People lay out cookies for you every year, and by now you’ve become quite the connoisseur. What’s your favorite kind? SC: Well, let me tell you, I’ll never kick a cookie off my plate. Anything the kids lay out will be a welcome sight tonight. Especially with a good, tall glass of milk. I like to dunk them, you know. CNA: What’s your favorite Christmas song? SC: We play Christmas music year-round at the North Pole. You can’t beat that music — it’s the best there is. But, let me tell you, my favorite is going to surprise you. It’s “Cheeseburger in Paradise.” When I’m working all night long in the cold to deliver packages, I listen to that tropical song and it takes me away to a warm place, and I look forward to boogie-in’ down with Mrs. Claus.” CNA: Well, Santa, looks like we’re down to our last question. A lot of people want to know, what’s your secret to being in so many places at one time? SC: (Eyes twinkle.) That’s just a little magic that you’ll have to believe in.

Creston Schools takes first Christmas steps to downsize spending Basket Fund By IAN RICHARDSON CNA staff reporter

irichardson@crestonschools.org

Decreasing revenue, coupled with the projected costs of complying with President Barack Obama’s health care law, have prompted Creston Schools to bridge an estimated $1.2 million spending gap over the next 3 years. The district took two steps toward this goal Monday. In its first meeting, a newly inducted Creston-Prescott board approved to set a public hearing for an instructional support levy that could provide the school with an additional $300,000 to $400,000 next year. This combined board will handle all decisions affecting the 2016-17 school year and beyond and become the official board when the two schools consolidate in July. Following that meeting, Creston School Board approved an adjusted early retirement plan that will go into effect in the spring.

Spending Billie Jo Greene, Creston Schools business manager, said while school spending has stayed relatively level in recent years, the school’s incoming revenue has been decreasing, primarily as a result of declining enrollment, which affects

School board votes to set public hearing for instructional support levy, adjusts early retirement package. District anticipates staff reduction.

the amount of state funding the school receives. Creston’s enrollment dipped 28 students in Greene the 2014-15 year and another seven students this fall. Greene said at the same time, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will potentially cost the district $300,000 or $400,000 up front in July. “It’s kind of a double whammy if everything goes forward with ACA because of the decrease in our enrollment,” Greene said. “We were already $600,000 over, but (with ACA) it’s almost like $1.2 million, so we want to spread it over a 3-year period.” Greene said the up to 5-year instructional support levy, which provides the schools funding from a combination of property tax and income surtax, could cover the initial cost of complying with the Affordable Care Act in July.

The combined Creston-Prescott board voted to move forward with setting a public hearing for the levy, which will be held 6 p.m. Jan. 20. Roll call vote was three in favor and one against, with Tom Eagan voting no. Board member Sharon Snodgrass was not present. The board will take action on whether to approve the levy following the public hearing.

Early retirement

Creston last offered early retirement to employees 3 years ago. At the time, the early retirement package included a formula allowing employees to receive up to a $20,000 early retirement benefit, with another early retirement package scheduled to be offered in 2015-16. Staff salaries and associated costs have risen steadily in the past 3 years and currently account for more than threefourths of the school’s spending. Superintendent Steve McDermott said early retirement is a financial tool to help replace higher-salaried employees with lower-salaried ones or to absorb the positions en-

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tirely. This year, McDermott recommended setting the benefit’s max $5,000 lower. Since the school has $150,000 available in its Management Fund to pay for early retirements, this would potentially allow more employees to take advantage. McDermott said it’s a “double-edged sword.” “ T h e unfortunate part is sometimes you encourage some folks to leave that you really McDermott don’t want to leave,” McDermott said. “But in line with what we’re planning for our finances and budget planning, we felt like it was time to bring this back.” After nearly 30 minutes of deliberation over whether to keep the benefit at $20,000 or move it to $15,000, the board unanimously approved a modified version of the plan. Eligible staff with 30-plus years in the district will still receive a max of $20,000, while staff with 15-29 years will receive $15,000 max, based on the same formula and $150,000 cap. Since the board waived the BUDGET | 2A

$4,000 short of goal

The 2015 Union County Christmas Basket Fund campaign is coming to a close. This year’s fund goal is $19,000 and organizers are hoping to complete another successful campaign. To date, $14,909 has been raised. Last year, 550 baskets serving more than 1,200 people were distributed. Residents of care centers in Creston and Afton received fruit and Kleenex. Baskets include meat, canned goods donated through efforts of Boy Scouts and school and community projects and certificates redeemable at local supermarkets for perishable foods. Each child 18 and younger also receive a gift certificate for clothing items. Boxes of colored pencils were donated by Creston Arts. Along with providing food baskets and certificates to those in need at BASKET | 2A

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