May 29, 2024 at 7:30 AM - Budget Committee Meeting

Description:  The purpose of this agenda item is to review the projected end of the year balance. The next agenda item (budget revisions) provides a clearer picture of the estimated end of the year balance. The fund 10 budget revision results in a negative balance of approximately $338,650. Administration would like to discuss the topic of the annual Fund 73 contribution at the July budget committee meeting. Fund 73 is the Employee Benefit Trust Fund. We held off on making the payment for 2022-2023 until the end of the fiscal year. The main reason for holding off the payment is that the fund 10 budget no longer includes an initial allocation towards this expense. We would need to make this payment by July 31, 2024. Administration will be seeking feedback from the committee on making this payment in July.

Description:  The purpose of this agenda item is to review the formal budget change process that will be presented to the School Board for approval in June. The budget change document is attached. 

All budget revisions are entered into the Skyward Financial System using the Skyward Budget Revision process. The budget revisions for 23-24 include: 

* changes in grant allocations (both Fund 10 and 27)
* changes to the State of Wisconsin Library Aid (Fund 10)
* increase the district's transportation budget (to reflect costs associated with the fuel clause)
*increased district consulting budget (to reflect costs associated traffic study, community survey, and superintendent search)
*increase fund 10 revenues for technology and the associated expense account
* transfer of funds between Fund 10 & 27
*fund 80 to reflect the increased costs of Warrior Media and crossing guards and increased revenues for community swim
*fund 21 to reduce revenues and expenses to reflect actual activity
*increase revenues in fund 27 for High Cost Special Ed Aid and associated expenditures as presented to the budget committee in April
*increased interest in fund 39

All budget revisions will be presented to the School Board for approval at the June 10th School Board Meeting. 

Description:  The purpose of this agenda item is to review the fund balance classifications. The School Board is annually required to approve fund balance accounts prior to the close of the fiscal year. I have attached the fund balance accounts that are currently being used, and were last presented to the school board at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 audit. Administration is recommending no changes. Please let me know if you have any questions on the fund balance classifications.

Description:  The purpose of this agenda item is to discuss the next steps in the 2023-2024 budget process. Attached please find the budget timeline. Please note that the Second Draft of the Budget will be presented at the regular June Board Meeting.

Description:  The purpose of this agenda item is to review the second draft of the budget for the 24-25 school year. I have attached the second draft of the budget for your review. Please note that the second draft of the budget is based on the following:
1. The $0/student increase in the per pupil categorical aid, with a $325/student increase in the revenue limit formula
2. The personnel cost line includes an inflationary salary increase of 4.12%, implementation of the teacher and classified staff compensation systems at 2%, a 0% increase in dental insurance rates, and a 5% increase for health insurance rates, and transportation.
3. The capital maintenance projects are funded from Fund 49
4. The second draft includes an increase of 11.5 FTE, as outlined on page 13 of the document to include the positions approved in May.
5. The debt service fund includes an estimate for the remaining debt that needs to be issued from the $175 million referendum.
6. Budget adjustments and revenue increases per the memo from the April budget committee meeting. (High cost special ed aid, fund 80, and flow-through grant)
7. Updates to the gift fund (Fund 21)
8. Updates to building/department revenue accounts and corresponding expense accounts
9. All of the remaining budget requests have been placed on hold at this time.

The third draft of the budget in July will include:
1. Grant allocations, if available
2. Staffing updates based on additional schedule changes, reallocation proposals or new positions
3. Updates to the community service fund (Fund 80)

Please let me know if you have any questions on the second draft of the budget.

Description:  The purpose of this agenda item is to review the lease agreements for the 24-25 school year. I have attached the lease agreements for your review.

The district currently has leases with the Wisconsin Youth Company (K-4 after-school program for school year) and the New Teacher Project (office space at TBD location). 
 
The administrative recommendation is to approve all three leases at the current rates with the Wisconsin Youth Company lease changing from $2,850 to $2,9000 per building as well for summer school and the New Teacher Project lease at $350 per month. 

Description:  The purpose of this agenda item is to discuss the topic of free admission into high school events (non-WIAA events). Attached please find the financial estimate from Nick Conrad.

Several school board members have indicated an interest to discuss this topic. Administration will be seeking feedback from the committee.  

Description:  Attached please find an additional draft of operational referendum question options for November 2024. The final version of the community survey results will be available at the June board meeting. Administration will review the referendum question options and will discuss next steps.

Description:  At the May budget committee meeting, the committee heard an overview of the Data Wrangler system and what it could do for the district. The committee requested to hear more information from Jim Koeppe, President of Data Wrangler who will be present at the June committee meeting to give a more in-depth presentation of Data Wrangler. We have attached a presentation that Jim shared at the recent School Business Official's Spring Conference. We have asked Jim to prepare a 10-15 minute presentation for the committee. 

Description:  The purpose of this agenda item is to review the process of locking in 50% of our natural gas volume for January through March. Attached please find a report that shares the results of this process and compares it to the market rates that we typically purchase through. You will see that overall financial savings were accomplished by the locking in process.

Administration has also attached information on future pricing. We are seeking feedback from the committee on the topic of locking in rates versus purchasing at market rates. Administration would recommend focusing on the November 2024 through March 2025 time frame as this is when the majority of our volume is purchased. 

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