June 3, 2015 at 6:00 PM - Finance/Operations Committee Special Meeting

Description:  Presentation and approval of a preliminary budget, once adopted at the regular board meeting, will begin implementation actions.

Description:  Commencing with the 2015-2016 school year certified staff receive $150/credit reimbursement for credits toward a degree in the field in which he/she is teaching or alternative field with prior approval of the District Administrator.  

The board will deliberate whether to have a longevity clause whereby a teacher must remain in the district for 'x' years following the credit attainment and subsequent reimbursement.

Description:  A preliminary budget for food service will be made available for review prior to action at the the regular school board meeting.

The budget is not balanced, in part, due to the employees that previously served in the district receiving health insurance or the ABP.  This will continue through February 2016 as cobra is honored for 18 months.  Taher is not charging a Management Fee for next year which helps in reducing the projected deficit.
 
The Federal Free reimbursement rate for a lunch in 2014-15 is $3.04 per meal and $.0425 from the State.  In Mineral Point, there are more paid students participating in the program than free and reduced, which means the paid lunch price should move closer to the Free Reimbursement Rate in order for the program to become self sustainable. If the increase in lunch prices are not acceptable, further discussions will be needed.

Description:  The MPHS cafeteria floor weeps mastic through the cracks in the floor tiles as a result of the floor not being completely cured at the time of construction.  The floor will continue to display mastic indefinitely unless redone.  As a prominent space visible to visitors I am soliciting a quote to learn the cost to remove the old tile and replace with polished concrete, tile, or epoxy.  The floor is not a safety hazard and functionally the tile perform as designed.  A possible funding source could be dollars remaining from the ten year note for the unit vent project (approximately $40K).

Description:  A Long Term Capital Improvement Trust Fund may be created for districts that have a ten year facilities plan.  Nexus, a company that assists schools with long term planning both financially as well as operationally, will share with the school board their company's model for assisting schools at the next regular board meeting.

Description:  Dr. Sarah Fox approached the district about a revenue-neutral proposal for the school to host an indoor pool at a location on school property.  A community hospital has interest in seeing a facility built in the Mineral Point area as part of a partnership.  Dr. Sarah proposes that no school funds would be used in construction and maintenance of the pool.  The board should give consideration to whether or not a pool is desired on the property and if it wishes to work with an aquatic engineer and building architect for determining feasibility of this proposal.   

Description:  Work on the MPHS stadium recently completed the retaining wall.  Work will commence in two or three weeks on the field in preparation for fall sports at the youth and JV levels.  Plans have been submitted to the state for approval of bleachers and incorporated press box.  Funds secured will renovate the field and pour concrete curb, sidewalk, and bleacher pad.  Fundraising continues for stadium bleachers with cost $224,700 and press box with cost $73,900.  A $5,000 donation was recently received by Kwik Trip and current fundraising efforts include an engraved seat program, scrap metal drive, sportsman's night, and golf outing.