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Thursday, September 02, 2010
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| 11/19/2009 9:12:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | | Preliminary audit puts North Branch in better-shape-than expected | The financial analysis of the 2008-2009 school year shows North Branch ended the year in better financial condition than officials had projected. The school superintendent thanked everybody for keeping spending below budget. Expenditures were below budget in all areas except Community Education, but revenues were also up in Community Ed. North Branch budgeted to spend $31.8 million and actually spent $30.5 million.
Randi Johnson, Director of Finance, cautioned, "It's easy to say ok we just had our problem solved (the 2009-2010 shortfall), but keep in mind the flow of money," she added. Much of the district's finances are tied up in "reserved" uses and other designated areas.
Even though the general fund balance was beefed up, it's still around a seven percent cushion and "rule of thumb" is eight to 12 percent, Johnson added. She also reminded the School Board there are capital projects that need to be done and the pupil enrollment numbers might continue to decline.
In the Food Service Fund there was a $17,000 spend down of fund balance, due to last year's "cost of food" Johnson said. And, low interest rates held down investment revenue, coming in $28,000 shy of budgeted.
The final audit is going to be presented by the independent audit firm in December.
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School board meeting is all about money
BY DENISE MARTIN
North Branch School Board met in its first business session since the defeat of the district's November 3 excess levy referendum and received good news on the budget (see sidebar story), but the district's still deep in the financial woods.
The biggest-ticket item in any school district is teacher wages and benefits, and based on public comment last week before the Board, this won't be resolved for sometime to come.
Instructor Chas Bettendorf, representing the teachers' union, used his time at the microphone November 12 to report his members want "civil and productive" bargaining but the School Board's approach is what he termed "restrictive" and is eroding a respectful process in place for years. Bettendorf said there have been five negotiation meetings and the Board is perceived by union members as unwilling to move.
The next negotiation session isn't until January.
The Board meeting's focus on finances carried through in hearing a Level III grievance for additional compensation, presented last week on behalf of English instructor Jodi Fanth.
Through her attorney she sought 1,024 hours worth of pay because her schedule requires her to shuffle between the high school and middle school and she "loses" 20 minutes per day in prep time.
The Board heard attorneys present both sides and voted unanimously to deny the grievance. Board member Donna Setter made the motion saying this should be a contract matter, and allowing it opens the district up to claims from others. Board Chair Kim Salo noted the district remains in compliance with state laws mandating a formula for providing prep time.
Later in the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Deb Henton asked the six Board members for a unanimous okay to move ahead on developing a new levy referendum for a ballot in fall of 2010.
Dr. Henton said she needed a 6-0 vote on this.
Board member John White wanted more research made available to the Board as to why the Nov. 3 levy failed. He wasn't ready to "announce tonight" that there'll be another ballot.
Board member Vicki McDougall agreed, she said she needs time to digest what the voters were thinking. She said as elected officials she has to listen to the yes and the to the no voters.
Salo, however, argued the district "needs the money" and this is the Board's job to determine and then declare the need. She asked if anyone was saying the district doesn't need extra revenue.
Board member Kirby Ekstrom explained the Board doesn't have to declare an amount it will go for in 2010. "We can still engage the public," he added.
White said, "How we go forward is important, I don't want to set the wrong tone right out of the gate...we're going to hear 'the Board's not listening.'"
Member Jeanne Walz felt the earlier the district can "get started" present another ballot, "the better."
Salo observed the Board didn't seem prepared to give a unanimous endorsement. The matter ended with Supt. Henton saying she hears there's support for some kind of ballot, but at this point staff is not being asked to start the process.
Henton a finalist
Twin Cities news outlets reported the St. Paul Board of Education late last week had declared three finalists for a superintendent vacancy in St. Paul, after interviewing several semi-finalists. Dr. Henton is one of the three. Henton stated in her school district website blog, "Out of respect for the St. Paul Board of Education ...comments would be inappropriate."
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