Hearing on proposed budget is Aug. 11 years ago
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
At a special meeting Thursday, Marion-Florence USD 408 Board of Education met to review the proposed budget for the 2003-2004 fiscal year, as prepared by clerk Martin Tice.
A hearing on the budget is set for 7 p.m. Aug. 11 at the district office at 101 N. Thorp, Marion. The purpose of the hearing is to allow patrons to express their views about the budget.
Tice prepared the budget based on the possibility of receiving an accelerated payment from the state next June because of accelerated property tax payments to be paid in May.
If the governor acts to establish the accelerated schedule, the district will receive more state aid in the next fiscal year and less in the following year.
Because of that, the board decided to maintain a flat levy and roll the extra funds coming to the general fund and supplemental general fund (LOB) into the special education fund for use the following year.
"This is where we are putting money we won't use next year," Superintendent Gerald Henderson said. "I want to emphasize that this is because of the accelerator which was proposed to solve the state's problem. It puts the burden on school districts."
The special education fund budget is estimated at $1,270,000, including a $624,400 transfer from the general fund, a $579,600 transfer from LOB plus a $321,000 carry-over.
Tice said a final proclamation by the governor authorizing the accelerated payment schedule has not yet been given, (it is expected in August), but the district is prepared for it if it occurs.
Tice prepared the budget on an estimated enrollment of 680 students. He said the figure probably is high. The official 2002-2003 enrollment was 682.7.
The proposed budget is estimated to total $4,686,205, slightly lower than the $4,714,792 budget the previous year. The estimated mill levy will be 46.170 compared to 46.165 the previous year and 46.2 in 2002.
Because of new state laws, several line items were moved to other funds. For example, the transportation budget was moved to the general fund and the transportation fund was eliminated. Utilities were switched to the supplemental fund.
"Expenditures essentially are the same," Superintendent Gerald Henderson said, "they're just in other places."
The proposed supplemental general fund (local-option budget) is up from $700,000 to $970,000 due to the expected accelerated payment. It reflects 20.7 percent of the 25 percent allowed by law.
The bond and interest budget is somewhat lower because bond payments are being refinanced and are in escrow, Tice said. The bond will be paid off in 2007.
Tice noted that preparing a budget has become much easier since the new computer program was installed. The forms are online and are returned online.
"It's amazing what they've done with that program in the past three or four years," he said.
In other business, the board:
— approved Tod Gordon's recommendations to hire Brad Theiroff as assistant middle school wrestling coach; Eric Clark as assistant high school boys' basketball coach, and David Hett, Rule 10 coach of middle school girls.
— approved sale of a bus to Heritage Baptist Church, Lawrence, for $3,500, a 1993 Suburban to Gary Stuchlik for $2,802, and chain link fencing to Stuchlik for $10. The bid on another bus came in under the minimum. It will be traded. A 1992 Suburban which received no bids will be advertised for a minimum price or a best offer.
— approved use of drivers and school buses to transport people to and from Art in the Park in September.
— approved warrants totaling $17,392.72.
