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Waitsfield Elementary School

Waitsfield Elementary School. Annual Meeting Budget Presentation : March 5, 2013. After several years of minimal increases or decreases, this year’s proposed budget is a 6.3% increase, primarily as a result of fixed costs. The proposed budget :. Level funds current programming.

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Waitsfield Elementary School

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  1. Waitsfield Elementary School Annual Meeting Budget Presentation: March 5, 2013

  2. After several years of minimal increases or decreases, this year’s proposed budget is a 6.3% increase, primarily as a result of fixed costs..

  3. The proposed budget: • Level funds current programming. • Responds to individual student needs & size of incoming kindergarten. • Follows a multi-year plan to address declining enrollment (staffing has decreased over past years and will decrease again after next year) • Is designed to meet the financial needs of the community while maintaining rigorous and rich programming for students.

  4. FY 14 Budget Changes: Fixed Costs • Health Insurance, as set by insurer, up $53,842 (14% increase in cost, 2.48% of budget) • 5-year transportation contract results in $11,240 increase (.52% of budget) • off-set by state reimbursement of 48% • $9,813 (.45% of budget) in preschool partnership costs for services provided in 2012-2013 • off-set by state allocated funds in 2012-2013 year

  5. FY 14 Budget Changes: Student Needs • Special education contracted services up $36,800 (1.7% of budget). off-set by special education cost reimbursement of 56% • Increase nurse to full time ($13,458, or .62% of budget) to respond to individual student needs. • Establish 2nd kindergarten class, for one year, responding to anticipated enrollment. Reduce a classroom position at the 3rd/4th grade level. cost neutral) • Slight increase of paraprofessional support, again in response to specific student needs off-set by special education reimbursement of 56%

  6. Special Education Costs Perspective • Waitsfield has a greater than state average percentage of students receiving special education support services (18.92% of W.E.S students, vs. VT avg of 15.37%), yet has historically provided effective services at a lower than average cost.

  7. Special Education Costs Perspective • Paraprofessional Staffing VT. avg = 1 para: 4 students w/disabilities W.E.S. avg = 1 para: 11.97 students w/disabilities **we have a slightly higher than VT avg. professional staff: students w/disabilities ratio • More than 20% of our students receiving special education services are identified with intensive needs. • We are committed to supporting all of our students in experiencing success and growth, but carefully evaluate strategies for their cost efficiency and efficacy.

  8. Facility Reserve Fund: Budgeted contribution of $22,079 (Prior year’s fund balance) FY 14 Projects : Replace cabinetry and leaking sinks in some of the original classrooms. Paint gym and library. Gym door replacement. Replacement of non-functioning cabinet heater. Reserve funds are also continued savings for other future needs identified in our long-range capital improvement plan.

  9. Two-vote Explanation If per pupil education spending exceeds statewide average AND budget is greater than the prior year, adjusted by inflation index, two votes are required to pass a budget. While many proposed increases have offsetting revenue, an decrease of overall revenue for this year triggers the two vote clause. Use of one-time federal funds ($30,056) and return of a significant fund balance ($71,155) led to a higher revenue stream for last year. -8.8% decrease in revenue funds for this budget causes our education spending (budget – anticipated revenues) to be higher. Schools with higher per pupil costs than ours may not have two votes due to consistency in spending; recent budget decreases or only slight increases made us more likely to have a two vote scenario.

  10. Percent of Budget by Area

  11. Population Trends/Predictions While future population is somewhat difficult to predict, we anticipate that the decline experienced over the past few years has mostly stabilized. ’05 - ‘07 includes students in preschool partnership, not at W.E.S.

  12. Tax Impact of Proposed Budgets • What is the Common Level of Appraisal? CLA is the ratio of the estimated assessed value vs. market value. • Waitsfield’s CLA is 105.74% (up from 104.42%). An increase in the CLA indicates a decline in property values & the tax rate. • 2013-2014 Estimated Resident Tax Rates

  13. Waitsfield School Tax Rates*calculations include proposed Harwood budget

  14. Budgeting: Looking Ahead The Board of School Directors is is committed to crafting a fiscally responsible budget in this and coming years. Waitsfield students remain high achieving on standardized measures, successful in their transition to Harwood Union School and beyond, and one of our greatest town assets. The board has the simultaneous priorities of insuring sustainability while simultaneously delivering a top-notch educational experience.

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