At its January 19 meeting, the School District 166 school board heard financial news—bad and good—from Superintendent Beth Schwarz.
Schwarz told the board that all indications are that due to the state’s budget woes, school districts will lose as much as $500 per pupil in funding next year. After some discussion the board asked Schwarz to build in a loss of $150 per student when setting next year’s budget.
The good news, said Schwarz, is that, “because we have no money, we will not get aid delayed funding.”
Because of the state’s fiscal woes, the state is delaying payments to schools with fund balances that meet their dollars per student formula. Cook County ISD 166 doesn’t have enough dollars on hand to meet the formula this year, but it did in 2009- 2010 and the state took $47,695.
“Part of the reason we don’t have enough cash on hand this year is because the state delayed funding to us last year and we still haven’t been paid back yet,” Schwarz said.
This year Minnesota borrowed $142 million from the 134 schools who had banked money. Those schools are supposed to be paid back on May 31, but early indications are the state will reimburse these districts in the from of an IOU.
And, noted Schwarz, the state has said it might not ever pay back the money it is borrowing from schools.
Principal Gwen Carman shared some positive financial news. Carman said that David Stuart of Naperville, Illinois had written a letter soliciting financial support for the school district from nonresident homeowners. Last year nonresident home owners donated $11,605 to ISD 166, and in his letter, Stuart said, “I think we have made a difference, not only in the funds we have contributed, but also in the feelings many local residents have for us. These funds are used for materials and equipment that directly benefit students as needs are identified by the administration. We are being recognized as a friendly partner in the county, with the same love of this area as the locals.”
Carman commended Stuart and the people who donated funds to the school district. In other business:
. The board approved moving its meeting time from the third Wednesday to the third Tuesday of every month. The meetings will start at 5:30 p.m., with a 15-minute public comment time beginning at 5:15 p.m.
. Mary Sanders was elected 2011 school board chair while Deb White was selected treasurer and Jeanne Anderson was picked as clerk.
. Superintendent Beth Schwarz and Cindy Carpenter Straub were given the okay to conduct electronic money transfers and will also act as school board fiscal agents.
. The board approved a process that will allow someone to be selected to replace Rod Wannebo, who will give up his school board seat after the last meeting in February. Several candidates have come forward expressing interest in Wannebo’s position.
. Two paraprofessionals, Jennifer Sutton and JoAnn Olson were hired at $12.10 per hour. Sutton’s contract calls for her to work 33.75 hours per week while Olson will work 35 hours per week.
. Principal Carmen reported that she has been meeting with department chairs and teachers to discuss middle school/high school schedules and course offerings for next year.
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