The
Finance and Operations Committee of the Board of Education of the
Review Areas of
Committee Responsibility: Committee members reviewed the areas of
responsibility for this committee. Two
items will be stricken: Consensus Bargaining and Labor/Management Councils.
Committee
members were reminded that the only action committee members can take is to
forward topics on to the full board for approval.
FINANCE TOPICS:
2008-09 Year-End
Balances Report:
Mrs. Peachey reviewed the 2008-09 unaudited year-end fund balances for the
various funds. General fund (fund 10)
revenues ($19,164,451.11) exceeded expenditures ($18,899,786.30) by
$264,664.81. The district had budgeted a
deficit of $84,919 for the first year implementation of the 4K program. Both revenues and expenditures were very
close to budgeted figures with the district receiving 99.87% of its revenue
budget and spending 98.06% of its expenditure budget. The required annual audit of these funds is
scheduled to begin on Monday, August 17, 2009.
Review of 2009-10 Budget
Presentation Document: Mrs. Peachey provided a brief overview of the 2009-2010
Budget document.
2009-10 Short-Term
Borrowing Needs: Annually, the district
has borrowed funds to cover its cash flow needs based on cash flow projections
that anticipate the timing of revenues and expenditures for the year. Traditionally, in order to take advantage of
positive interest returns, the district has issued Tax and Revenue Anticipation
Notes for the entire year based on the amount allowed under law.
After the completion of the necessary documents this
year, and discussion with both the district's financial advisor and bond
counsel, Mrs. Peachey recommended that the district instead pursue a line of
credit for the 2009-10 school year with a local bank. This recommendation is made based on the
anticipated negative return on investment given the current interest rate
market as well as the district's need for funds being limited to short periods
of time during a few months of the fiscal year.
Discussion on the pros and cons of a line of credit
vs. short-term borrowing followed. If
the Board agrees that a line of credit is the way to go, a maximum interest rate
and a maximum credit line must be determined.
Once a deal is negotiated with a local bank, the Board must approve a
resolution. Mrs. Peachey is working with
Quarles and Brady on such a resolution.
A motion to forward a
recommendation to pursue securing a line of credit as recommended to the full
board was made by Mr. Krause, seconded by Dr. Stoner. The motion passed on a
unanimous voice vote.
Discussion
on Energy Revenue Limit Exemption:
Committee members reviewed the preliminary state statute, 121.91(4) (o) 1.,
which states:
If a school board adopts a resolution to do so, the
limit otherwise applicable to a school district under sub. (2m) in any school
year is increased by the amount spent by the school district in that school
year on energy efficiency measures, and renewable energy products, that result
in the avoidance of, or reduction in, energy costs. The department shall
promulgate rules to implement this subdivision, including eligibility standards
for school districts.
The interpretation is that the above would include
products that would encompass energy efficiencies. Guidelines are in the process of being
developed by the Department of Public Instruction. It is possible that eligible projects could
include the new boilers and building HVAC automation system at West Elementary.
Discussion on this issue will continue at the
committee and full board levels once more information is received from the DPI.
Update on
Projected Class Sizes and Recap of Class Size Task Force Meeting: Mr. Swartz noted that the Class Size Task Force met
on August 4, 2009. Following Elementary
registration on August 3, 2009, the district is now looking at an average of
25-26 students per section at grade 3. A
letter was sent to parents of all 3rd grade students at East and West
asking if families would consider transfer of a 3rd grader to
Sullivan if the Board were to approve transportation and the employment of an
additional teacher. To date, the
district has received two positive responses.
The deadline for responses is Friday, August 14, 2009.
The next meeting of the task force is scheduled for 8/18/09
and a bus service representative will attend to address parent concerns.
FACILITY TOPICS:
Update on Installation
of Security Devices at High School: Jefferson High School Principal Craig
Brimacombe provided an overview of the security enhancements at the high
school. The J-Doors doors will be equipped
with a buzzer system that has a camera with two monitors – one in the attendance
area and a second in the main office.
The camera is a live feed, weather-proof, and vandal proof. The cost of the system is $2,500.
Discussion on
Consolidation Dialogue: Mr. Krause noted that his contact was with an individual on
a citizen ad-hoc committee – not a school board member. He has not had the opportunity to contact a Johnson
Creek School Board member yet.
2009-10 After-School
Daycare Program Agreement with Premier Child Care of Sullivan, LLC:
The district has received a request from Premier Child Care of Sullivan, LLC,
to use Sullivan Elementary for their after-school program for the 2009-10
school year. The program worked well
last year and we have updated a new agreement for the upcoming school
year. A fee of $90 per month is charged
to offset the cost of utilities.
2009-10 After-School
Daycare Program Agreement with Kiddie Kollege:
A similar request has also been made by Kiddie Kollege to continue their
after-school program at West Elementary.
A charge of $90 per month is also assessed to cover utility costs.
A motion to forward a
recommendation for the approval of the 2009-2010 After-School Daycare Program
Agreement with Premier Child Care of Sullivan, LLC as presented as well as the
2009-2010 After-School Daycare Program Agreement with Kiddie Kollege as presented
to the full Board was made by Dr. Stoner, seconded by Mr. Krause. The motion
passed on a unanimous voice vote.
Referendum Planning
Discussion:
As a reminder, the High School Facilities Project Ad Hoc Committee will be
meeting on August 20 to dialogue with representatives of Plunkett Raysich
Architects and Miron/Maas Construction relative to the high school project and
the next steps. The Ad Hoc Committee
will provide a report on their meeting to the Full Board.
OPERATIONS TOPICS:
Resignation(s)
none
Employment(s):
§
Lynn
Rustay, .5 FTE
§
Samantha
Garvey, .5 FTE Library Media Specialist at
A motion to forward the recommendation
for employment of Lynn Rustay contingent upon her acquisition of the required
licensure to the full board was made by Mr. Krause, seconded by Dr.
Stoner. The motion passed on a
unanimous voice vote.
A motion to forward the recommendation
for employment of Samantha Garvey contingent upon her acquisition of the
required licensure to the full board was made by Mr. Krause, seconded by Dr.
Stoner. The motion passed on a unanimous
voice vote.
Discussion of Possible
Topics for Future Meetings
A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Krause, seconded by Dr. Stoner. The motion passed on a voice vote.
ADJOURNMENT: 7:30 p.m.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
Secretary,
Pati Fitzgerald