Special needs teacher wins award
By Bert Lehman
A preliminary school budget for the 2016-17 school year was presented to the Clintonville School Board at its meeting, Monday, May 9.
Lynette Edwards, business manager for the School District of Clintonville, told the board that the number of students in the district is the main driver in determining the districts revenue limit.
“Revenue limit is the amount of money the state allows us to bring in revenue, there is a max on that,” Edwards said.
Two pupil averages are used to determine the revenue limit.
Edwards said the district is projecting the “status quo” as far as pupil membership.
“We won’t know what that will be until the third Friday in September,” Edwards said.
The preliminary budget for the General Fund calls for $15,640,150 in revenue and $15,688,706 in expenditures.
“We’re about $48,000 away [from a balanced budget],” Edwards said. “We’re still doing lots of work to bring that into balance. We’re really close.”
Regarding the tax levy, Edwards said the early estimate is a little bit of an increase.
“That doesn’t mean the tax rate is going to increase, that will all depend on our property values and where those come out at,” Edwards said.
Salaries and benefits comprise the largest portion of the total budget, coming in at 79.5 percent.
Later in the presentation, Edwards said the debt for Clintonville High School will be paid off in the 2021-22 budget.
The district’s fund balance is 27.9 percent of the current budget, which is slightly higher than board policy.
“The reason we do that is because we want to make sure we have enough cash flow to not have to short-term borrow, and the district hasn’t had to short-term borrow for several years. It is also beneficial for our bond rating.”
Unknown variables that will impact the budget include the third Friday in September count, the state equalization aid which won’t be known until October, and the equalized valuation in the district, which will be available in October. The final allowable levy is also unknown at this time.
EFTF report
Board member Ben Huber told the board the Elementary Facilities Task Force recently met and discussed what some of the options are regarding the elementary school facilities.
Clintonville School District Superintendent Tom O’Toole said the task force also reviewed the technology needs and technology setup at the elementary school, as well as some of the shortfalls.
Enrollment was also discussed, included a short-term enrollment projection.
Whether 4K and fifth grade students belong with the elementary school was also discussed, O’Toole said.
Task force members worked in small groups at the meeting.
“As you went from one group to another there were significantly different ideas that came to the forefront, so that was a good thing,” O’Toole said. “It shows very much a community driven process.”
Cost projections and other potential costs will be discussed at the next meeting.
“Definitely not final costs, but to give some idea of options,” O’Toole said.
O’Toole said he anticipated the community will be surveyed in the fall.
WCASS award
Tara Zeal, director of Special Education and Pupil Services for the Clintonville School District, informed the board of an award recently received by Colleen Schertz from the Wisconsin Council of Administrators of Special Needs.
“She does an amazing job here,” Zeal told the board. “I’m absolutely thrilled. She does anything asked of her.”
Zeal said Schertz is now in the running for a state award.
Schertz is in her third year of employment with the district.
District parent liaison
Zeal also introduced Sandi Lundt to the board. Lundt was recently trained to serve as district parent liaison for the district.
Zeal said Lundt received training through CESA 8.