The Waterloo Board of Education reviewed the Capital Development Board state grant and the upcoming 2013 school tax levy in Monday’s meeting. Superintendent Jim Helton said all school districts have been hit.

“What we can hope for is that we’re static and can start to build,” he said. “This year, we’re looking at raising it another three or four cents and going up to $4.24 on the rate.”

Helton said the board will decide the best ways to handle the money when the state grant comes in.

“The board’s going to have to make some decisions and communicate with the community on whether or not we pay off and what we pay off as we go forward,” he said. “

He said right now it is difficult to make any decisions because they have not received the state money yet.

“If we start getting our interest monies to work for us, we can start chipping away at this (deficit),” he said. “It’s all about value-based decision-making and strategic plans.”

Helton announced the public hearing on the tax levy will be next month.

The board also discussed planning for the return to traditional junior high school scheduling for the 2014-15 school year and reviewed an update on the Common Core curriculum from the district coordinator, John Schmeig.

In Columbia Board of Education news:

• The board of education approved pay raises for any employee not represented by a collective bargaining agreement. An average increase of 1.5 percent was approved for bus drivers, directors, central office employees and administrators.

•Nov.12, at 7p.m., at CHS is the School Safety Meeting for parents and community members.

•Nov.6, at 7p.m., at the District Office is a School Budget Overview conducted by Superintendent Segobiano and open to the public/community.