President Nolte led all present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mrs. Susan turned the meeting over to Dr. Cull. He discussed how the budget is a plan and the starting point is what our expectations are. Like any other budget, there is a revenue side and an expenditure side. It is important to make sure the expenditures do not exceed the revenues. That has been the case and is the case with this draft of the budget. Dr. Cull explained that about 80% of revenue is from local tax dollars from residents. Itasca School District #10 gets very little state aide. There are three different levels of state aide – whenever giving new money – raising the foundation level – that is a level that the state feels is a minimum amount of money necessary to educate a child in an elementary district. The only state aide the District receives is a flat grant of $217 per child. That is why the importance of the property taxes as the DistrictÕs source of revenue is critical. Dr. Cull highlighted that he approached the DistrictÕs revenue a little differently this year and prepared a hand out that might help understand the process. This hand-out is attached to these minutes. As a result, he tried to project the fact that in June of 2006, the District will receive more money than received in June 2005. He backtracked over the past few years to see a pattern. The model developed whatever extension the District is receiving in June and the other half in July, August, and September. Dr. Cull is trying to estimate what will be received in June of 2006. It should be more accurate and it should reflect the fact that the property taxes will at least increase by the CPI.
The result of this model should project more accurately money anticipated. It is a more realistic manner. The board has made a difficult decision over the past few years to cut back on staff, equipment, staff development, etc. Those types of things continue to pay a benefit as the District saves that money every year. In creating the budget, there are always pressures in new programs, new personnel or new things the District may want to do. Some of those things are pressuring us, i.e., request for social work needs, and the board has discussed other ongoing issues. The other part that is good has to do with our Operations and Maintenance fund. The District is finished with the Johnson Control project and have committed to the $61,000 left in that account. We are going to use that money to offset the maintenance expenses. Also, there is $40,000 of interest accrued in the fund. It is Superintendent CullÕs recommendation that money be left in the Operations and Maintenance fund and as a result, a little less can be levied in that fund and that will spend down that fund balance. We can levy a little more in another fund because we are levying down in that fund. That set the stage for Dr. Cull to build a maintenance budget that has the same programs, same expenses, and same staffing that we currently have. He then discussed staffing. WeÕve got a situation that we are watching with regard to staffing. The current kindergarten is larger than it has been in the past few years. If 10 or 12 more children enroll, there is not an extra teacher built into this budget. There may have to be five sections of first grade and only three sections of second grade and there are lots of possibilities at this point. It is possible that we may be looking to hire another staff member. That is the only thing being watching with regard to staffing.
On the support staff side, particularly teacher assistants, they typically serve special education students. We really donÕt know what the District needs will be next year. Peacock will probably be the same. Benson may be down two personnel and Franzen might need two. With students moving from 2nd to 3rd grade, the needs will probably be the same. We may release a teacher assistant or two and we can hire them back before the school year is over.
Superintendent Cull is basically anticipating that our staffing needs for teachers and teacher aides will probably be about the same for the next school year.
At this point, the meeting was opened for questions.
Mrs. Dale asked about staffing needs as relative to class sizes. She asked Dr. CullÕs philosophy if there were close to having 25 students in the class. Dr. CullÕs response would be to probably put a full time teacher aide to serve that grade level versus splitting the class. Discussion continued. There are less students in the classes at the Middle School. Dr. Cull answered that, in general, staffing at a middle school with the middle school concepts is very staff inefficient, particularly in a small school. He has charged Dr. Nickisch and his leadership team to determine ways that the District can more efficiently provide similar programs at the middle school.
Another area discussed by Mrs. Dale was technology. She stated that the telephone system had been pulled out from last yearÕs budget and itÕs back on for this year. She has concerns about the phone system being a priority for next year. Part of her concern is possibly the Administrative Building being sold. Discussion ensued. Is this something the District really needs right now? One of the reasons it is necessary is that we want to approach the phones as a system. Until the District Office is upgraded, Peacock cannot use the full features for which it has the capacity. ThatÕs the reason it is in this budget. Mr. Kapachinski explained some of the features that would be allowed at Peacock (and the other buildings) if the hub were up-dated at the District Office. Discussion ensued regarding the cost of the desk-top computers. Dr. Cull explained an exchange server. Mr. Kapachinski has recommended that we bring our e-mail in house. In this way, we would have more control over what comes in or leaves our system with an outside provider. Also there may be some other things added such as some desks and a laptop. Amounts included in the draft are the most recent pricing available.
Mr. Powers had some questions regarding the revenue and some discussion ensued.
Mrs. DiCiolla was somewhat also somewhat confused with the revenue. She asked what would happen if we took the approach as to what is very probable and what do we think we can expect. If we know we have some fixed amounts as accurate as we can be and then look at those we donÕt know. She also discussed cash flow. We have some inter-fund loans and if we pay it back (3 years?) she expressed a concern about running out of money in the fund balances.
Mr. Powers stated that the District had to find a way not to only balance the budget but also to create a surplus.
A question was asked about 3-year evaluations for asbestos. Is there anything major in the buildings of which we need to be aware? The answer was no.
Dr. Cull said one of the issues the district has not had to deal with is growth.
Mrs. DiCiolla said that she had some further questions and would e-mail them to Dr. Cull for answers.
When it comes to the software fees paid, it gets higher. A question was asked if anyone did an analysis of what we no longer need. The response was that there is already a system if place for getting new software in and old software out.
Mrs. Zelenka said that her questions had mostly been covered. She requested a current technology summary for next year. There was a discrepancy of $49,000 in the budget and purchases that had been recommended.
Mr. Hervas did not have many questions but asked if Dr. Cull could make any estimates on the new growth. Dr. Cull responded that he is looking at historic percentage and he does make some projection for that. This one is particularly conservative. He also discussed the tax extension and how it is calculated.
Mrs. Dale asked about salaries that are off the schedule and if they are tied into the CPI. The base salary is tied into the CPI. It is increased by the CPI each year for teachers who are off the schedule.
Mrs. Nolte expressed some concerns about borrowing from the Working Cash Fund.
Mrs. Nolte asked if anyone from the schools or the community would like to speak at that time. No comments were made nor questions asked at this time.
Individual line items were then reviewed:
Mrs. Dale - Page 1 – Noted that there was a big jump in extra duty salaries that had gone from $26,000 to $33,000. The stipend sheet lists it at $25,000. If itÕs under budget this year, why is there such a big jump? This is one of the areas where there was a budget variance – the $33,000 is the TAÕs. Dr. Cull had picked up the wrong figure.
Tuition reimbursement is already over budget through February. Dr. Cull explained that there is a fixed finite pot of money for all teachers and weÕre not going to over expend that amount. If one school has more than the other, the bottom line is that it is a fixed pool of money and the District is not making any other adjustments. Dr. Cull then explained how the money is distributed.
Mr. Powers suggested that we try to keep the outdoor education costs perhaps cut by $1,000 (very realistic number – instruction – general supplies - $1,000 – instruction paper - $1,000 ).
Mrs. DiCiolla had questions about extra duty salary and outdoor education.
Page 2 – Mr. Powers suggested cutting $2,000 (414) supplies. Mrs. Nolte stated that she has a problem with cutting supplies. Mr. Powers was just asking that perhaps Superintendent Cull review it.
Instruction – current adoption text – what is driving that? Dr. Tornatore replied that the District is planning for some writing materials to be included. It comes to just under $4,000.
Page 3 – A question was asked about Middle School capital outlay going up from $3,000 from $1,500 – not code anything to capital outlay to anything under $2,000 – per Mrs. DiCiolla, P.E. had gone up from $1,000 to $3,000 and it is being raised to $3,000 for next year. This is for equipment requests. Mrs. Dale stated that she would like to see this area increased rather than decreased.
There were no questions on Page 4.
Page 5 – Mrs. Zelenka asked the reason weÕve gone up in ESL travel and meeting costs and the guidance counselor costs. The ESL teachers travel from building to building. Mrs. DiCiolla asked if there was possibly another way to process mileage.
Page 6 – Mrs. Dale asked how much students are charged in fees at the beginning of the year and the budgeted amount - what we are to date at is higher than we are budgeting for. Discussion ensued.
Mrs. DiCiolla suggested that we be sure we are charging enough to cover fees.
Mr. Powers asked how much is in the budget for the consultant?
Page 7 – Mrs. Zelenka asked about Title II Travel and Meeting. The response was that if we send a teacher to 6 + 1 Workshop, then the money would come in as a grant.
Mrs. Dale asked about the curriculum teachersÕ salaries. Teachers are paid to be on curricular committees.
Mr. Powers questioned software specifically for Follet software. This is basic foundational software - an annual fee – for streaming video at Peacock Middle School (additional amount 0 - for teachers to have access to a video site to download videos directly related to their curriculum.)
Page 8 –Mrs. Zelenka expressed her concern that the Peacock media books need to be up-dated.
Page 9 – Mr. Powers suggested that a big item to bring down was technology.
He also asked about WorkerÕs Compensation. Dr. Cull explained how it had been miscalculated in the past.
Mrs. Dale asked about the SuperintendentÕs receptionist salary.
She also asked about the membership report. Dr. Cull will send that to members of the board.
Page 10 – Mrs. Zelenka noted that the District had gone over on PrincipalsÕ travel and meeting expense. Some discussion ensued.
Page 11 – Mrs. DiCiolla asked about maintenance for computers. The response was there are 400 computers in the District that have to be cleaned.
Mr. Powers asked about the Character Counts! budget.
N.D.S.E.C. fees have been raised.
Mrs. Dale suggested that the District re-crush numbers for water and sewer eventually.
Page 12 – Mrs. Dales asked if the District would be doing roof work. The response was yes.
Mr. Powers asked about summer custodial that includes part time for summer help and for substitutes.
Mrs. Zelenka asked about mileage for building 4. Dr. Medwick explained.
Page 13 – Mrs. Dale asked about Administrative Services. This has to do with the bond.
Mr. Powers suggested we keep a watch on Johnson Controls as relates to their contract.
President Nolte asked the audience again for input. Benson teacher Pam Mitchell said she appreciated the money being spent on classroom supplies.
Peacock teacher Sandy Bernahl thanked the board for their consideration in up-dating the library books. She stated that she obtains books from the Elmhurst Library with her own personal library card.
Mrs. Dale stated that we have 3 Ketter reports that are going to be requested. Is there money in line items to cover $6,000 worth of Ketter reports? Johnson Controls can reimburse the District. She also expressed a concern to determine what has been done to adjust the Itasca Park District Agreement. Are we anywhere near what we are going to do? Dr. Cull has just received the bill so he is not building anything different in the budget until we have more information. We know that we are paying for plowing and lawn service. Mrs. DiCiolla asked if we are going to enter into some kind of agreement.
Mrs. Nolte thanked everyone for their work and patience and adjourned the meeting at 9:34 p.m.
