Board members said they will give a critical eye to the new budget, which will begin with the new fiscal year July 1. The district has a student count of 21,717 and will factor in property value increases as part of the formula that shows more revenue for the upcoming year.
The district’s total revenue budget is projected to be $185.85 million, with more than $88 million from local revenue, $95.5 million from state revenue and $2.2 million from federal revenue. Expenditures are starting at $187.89 million. The scenario with a 2% raise lowers expenditures to $186.35 million.
Other budget assumptions presented by Rau headed into a budget workshop in the first week of June include: Payroll assumptions:
- Scenario 1 is a 3% raise on the midpoint on all pay grades for a total of $4.51 million.
- Scenario 2 is a 2% raise on the midpoint on all pay grades for a total of $3 million.
- Budgeted health insurance on all employees is at $386 per month for 12 months at an 80% participation rate.
- Total districtwide positions total 3,219.08 full-time employees, with the general fund covering 2,760.76 full-time equivalent employees.
Total payroll budget:
- Scenario 1: $159.7 million
- Scenario 2: $158.16 million
Nonpayroll assumptions:
- Campus-per-student allocations were increased over the prior budget year to account for an increase in the consumer price index. Campus-per-student allocation has not been adjusted in the past five years.
- All campus and department budgets were completed based on needs of the individual campus and department.
- The campus and department budget totals $28.19 million
Several board members cautioned against the unknowns the effects the coronavirus will have on future revenue. Superintendent Eric Wright said the state is urging districts to be conservative in spending during the next year, but it is important for the district to support employees with pay raises to help retain them.
In discussions with officials at the state level, Wright said the state would like to roll out House Bill 3 on funding as presented and cut from other entities before education.
The district is also shopping its insurance providers to look for the best option for the district and employees. Those numbers will be available to the board prior to the early June budget work session.
