The purpose of this agenda item is to review the January 18th Special Board Meeting. The administration is seeking feedback from the committee on any topics that should continue to be brought forward as discussion items. The administration was originally intending to provide a recommendation for a framework for the use of funds at the February 8th School Board meeting. However, we have decided to delay any recommendations until the Heritage Elementary School referendum bids have been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for School Board approval. We expect that these bids will be presented by the March 14th School Board meeting. 

The purpose of this agenda item is to review the projected end of the year balance. The contingency fund for the 15-16 fiscal year is $100,000. We have allocated approximately $43,751 for the special education department. The unallocated contingency is $56,249 at this time. We will also have a potential end of the year balance remaining in the referendum operational funds of approximately $914,000. Overall, I project that the end of the year balance will be positive by approximately $1,000,000 (including referendum funds). Please also note that I project that the department/building carry over fund balance will decrease due to projects being completed.

The purpose of this agenda item is to review the Human Resources Committee recommendation for salary increases. The recommended salary spreadsheet has been attached for your review. Please note that the previous Budget Committee Boardbook agendas include the documents for all of the various versions that have been reviewed. The Human Resources Committee forwarded a salary increase recommendation as a first review at the January 11th, 2016 School Board meeting. The Committee is recommending Board approval of the salary increase recommendation at the February 8th, 2016 meeting. 

The purpose of this agenda item is to review the budget timeline. The timeline has been attached for your review. I will be requesting School Board approval of the budget timeline at the February 8th, 2016 meeting.

The purpose of this agenda item is to review the budget forecast. The budget forecast has been attached for your review. Please note that the budget forecast includes multiple models of projecting student enrollment. The administration is recommending that we use the 5 year cohort model to forecast enrollment for the 16-17 fiscal year. We have used these numbers for the open enrollment capacity planning, and believe this is the most prudent approach at this time. This enrollment projection results in a student count that is 66 students higher in 16-17. I do not believe that 5 year budget forecasts have significant value at this point due to the significant variations in school funding that we have seen from state budget to state budget. At this time, we are more realistically planning from one state budget to another until school funding becomes more stable. However, a five year budget forecast can identify trends, such as enrollment growth, that can be helpful in the budget planning process.  I will be requesting School Board approval of the budget forecast at the February 8th, 2016 meeting.

The purpose of this agenda item is to review the budget guidelines. The budget guidelines has been attached for your review. Please note that the budget guidelines document identifies the number of sections and staffing for grades K-6, while estimating the staffing for grades 7-12.  The staffing levels for grades 7-12 are reviewed during the student scheduling process later this spring. The budget guidelines document provides a framework for developing the first draft of the budget in May.  I will be requesting School Board approval of the budget guidelines at the February 8th, 2016 meeting.

There are no proposals to discuss this month.

The purpose of this agenda item is to review the 2016-17 food service options. Three options have been attached for your review. The options are based on the district withdrawing from the federal National School Lunch program for grades K-6. The district has not participated in the National School Lunch program for grades 7-12 during both the 2014-15 and 2015-16 school years. We have gained experience at this point in operating a non National School Lunch Program, so we are recommending expanding this approach to grades K-6. 

Please note that the three versions include the following:

1. Version 1 - Increasing the price of the lunches in grades K-12 and transferring all utility costs back to the district budget

2. Version 2 - Increasing the price of the lunches in grades K-12, transferring all utility costs back to the district budget, and assuming K-6 participation increases by 10%

3. Version 3 - Increasing the price of the lunches in grades K-12, transferring all utility costs back to the district budget, assuming K-6 participation increases by 10%, and introducing limited ala carte type options in grades K-6

Administration is seeking feedback from the committee on moving forward with an option for the 16-17 school year. Administration will also request a discussion of this topic at the February 8th, 2016 School Board meeting. 

The purpose of this agenda item is to review the banking policy/proposal process. I have attached the School Board banking policy and the letter that was sent to all local financial institutions.

I will let you know at the meeting which financial institutions have expressed an interest in participating in our request for proposal process. No action is requested on this agenda item.