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NB school board puts final touches on 2008-09 budget |
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By Patrick Tepoorten
Putting the final touches on the 2008 - 09 budget, the North Branch School Board approved Finance Director Randi Johnson’s proposed plan for capital expenditures.
The money for capital projects are earmarked funds that cannot be used to draw down the district’s operating deficit for next year. The funds will be used to make district improvements totaling almost $1.5 million.
Among the projects are security improvements to the high school and middle school, as well as remodeling to better accommodate special needs students at the high school.
The costs associated with security and special education improvements at the high school were originally proposed by the district to be included in a lease levy with the funds toward construction of an all-purpose room for physical education.
Because of money-saving measures in these areas presented to the board by architect Dan Moll, the district should be able to make the necessary improvements to security and special education facilities without producing funds through a lease levy in the rough amount of $2.8 million. Instead, the levy will be used only for the all-purpose room, which is projected to cost approximately $1.75 million.
A security upgrade at the high school, which will consist of constructing a wall along the main hallway to the office, forcing all traffic through the office, is estimated at $75,000, and will be paid for using existing operating capital. Special education improvements at the high school are estimated at $15,000.
The largest capital expenditure in 08 - 09 is the purchase of buses at just over $400,000.
The proposed improvements will be paid for through a combination of leftover construction funds, deferred maintenance funds, and operating capital. Johnson said the district expects to also build the deferred maintenance fund balance in anticipation of roofing needs in the next budget cycle.
In other news:
• Activities Director Becky Leuer reported to the board, via video conference, that the football advisory committee was close to making a hire to coach varsity football. As well, a sub-committee has been formed to work closely with area youth football and create continuity between youth and high school ball.
Leuer spoke highly of the job the committee has done, saying, “As a result of the committee our program will have a stronger level of support than ever before.”
• Superintendent Deb Henton unveiled the district’s new strategic plan (see: School News page 5), which was completed without the use of consultants. Henton said the document should aid in applying for grants, as it shows the district is “very organized.” Also, she credited the plan with aiding the district be more transparent. “We’re going to be accountable to the public,” she said.
• Taher was awarded the food service bid.
• Staff positions lost in 2008 - 09 to budget cuts were made official.
• Staff Development Coordinator Dona Yetter brought the board up to speed on Q-Comp progress. North Branch’s Q-Comp plan has been approved by the state, and Yetter said the district could know as soon as Memorial Day if the district receives the state’s blessing to move forward. If so, one hurdle would remain: The Q-Comp plan would have to be approved by a super-majority of teachers’ union employees who vote on the issue.
If that happens, Yetter said Phase I of North Branch’s Q-Comp plan could be implemented next year.
• The board approved setting July 1 as the first day to receive candidacy filing papers for upcoming board elections. However, that could change. A law sits on Governor Tim Pawlenty’s desk that would allow districts to do away with primary elections regardless of the number of candidates. If that law passes, the district appears ready to opt out of any primaries and push filing dates back to August.
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