By MATT PIKE
During Tuesday's special Board of Education meeting, the St. Joseph Board of Education received a report on the financials and where they stand heading into June as budget planning begins for next school year.
Assistant Superintendent and Board Tresuruer Robert Hedgecorth says in previous years the district had ran some pretty large deficits, however, this year is heading the other direction
"Proud to announce that our forecast right now shows that we will have a balanced budget and be just a little bit in the black for this fiscal year," Hedgecorth says on the KFEQmunnity show. "Which is reversing that trend which got us to a position."
Hedgecorth says one of the key performance indicators for a district is the operating fund balance percentage.
"Our board policy states that should be 20% or above, right now that's around 10%, and so that really handcuffs us as far as doing some things for the district," Hedgecorth explains. "So, what we're looking for in the future is become as efficient as we can possibly in all areas, so we can make sure we put the most resources towards the classroom, and one of those big resources are teachers."
Hedgecorth says the Board of Education needs to ensure teachers are compensated a level comparative to surrounding school districts, and to do that the district needs to stay fiscally
The reorganization of the school district to a two high school model is helping with some of that deficit, Hedgecorth says making up some by cutting more support staff by attrition.
Board Vice President Jacob McMillan says he was pleased to hear of positive savings during the board meeting thanks to the reorganization plan.
"I was very pleased when Mark Korrel presented to us that, we estimated that we'd be able to save $2 to $2.5 million dollars with the reorganization and staffing, right now that number is a little over $6 million," McMillan says. "And so, by reorganizing, by becoming more efficient, we're getting more out of our money."
McMillan says in just staff savings alone that $6 million is very beneficial and very needed to help in the boards' goal of getting out of the financial hole.
The board approved the financial report unanimously. The financial report will be used to help set a budget that will be presented in June, around the time the board should know what state funding should be received for the next fiscal year.
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