School district in robust shape for now, directors cautious about future

Orcas Island School District Board directors expressed cautious optimism as they accepted the budget for the 2009-2010 school year at their meeting on July 23. The budget reflects the [intlink id=”3540″ type=”post”]personnel added back into staffing[/intlink] that were listed on the consent agenda.

Finance Manager Ben Thomas told the board that the fund balance as of June was $350,000, compared to $187,000 at the same time last year.

The board also acknowledged the contributions of the community, particularly through the Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF), the Orcas Island Education Foundation (OIEF) and the Musical Advocacy Group (MAG) towards the district budget for next year.

Board Chair Janet Brownell announced that OIEF fund-raising will continue with student-made gift wrap, and the “Food for Thought” annual banquet fundraiser in November.

Thomas also clarified that, due to the accurate accounting of last year, the Educational Service District (ESD) 189 has allowed the district to incorporate donations into the budget projections. Last year, they were not allowed to do this due to the lack of accurate records regarding donations.

A number of classes are only funded for the first semester. The board agreed that the board will revisit the budget in November to determine if funds from the general fund and/or increased enrollment will be available to continue programs through the second and third semester. “We may shift staff around,” said Superintendent Barbara Kline.

Thomas also noted that some of the funds in the 09-10 budget won’t be available in the following year, specifically the I-728 funds. These funds were originally authorized by the State Legislature to minimize class sizes; this year the $60,000 to comply with I-728 came from federal stimulus funds, rather than from state funds.

In light of the one-time-only nature of revenue items in the 09-10 budget, Board members Keith Whitaker and Scott Lancaster both advanced the recommendation that the district continue to be frugal in expenditures and consider setting aside funds for future years.

Whitaker urged the board, “if we do come in with good fund balance and enrollment numbers to complete the school year with robust programming,” that any additional funding that may become available be used “to replace the money that is one-time this year.”

Lancaster proposed that district staff limit budget expenditures to 20 percent of the annual budget by November. Board member Charlie Glasser agreed, advising a “close watch or expenditure consistent with the current budget.”

Lancaster also recommended that the board formally resolve to set aside a set amount to carry forward four to five years from now. He suggested that amount be at least $10,000.

In other financial news:

The board agreed to spend funds remaining from the current bond, which will expire at years’ end, for “more thorough and accurate schematics” so that the amount for the upcoming bond will be more specific.

The board also voted to [intlink id=”3540″ type=”post”]increase athletic fees by 20 percent[/intlink], with the proviso to impose a district-wide or combined cap of the cost-per-family at an amount less than $810. This proviso would enable families with students in both middle school and high school to avoid paying the maximum fees for athletic fees at each level.

Kline announced that the district had again been awarded $20,000 in a Navigation 101 grant that funds teacher in-service education.

Board member Tony Ghazel informed the meeting that state legislators from Seattle, Bellevue and Spokane, among others, will meet late this fall to pursue lifting the levy lid. Currently the levy is limited state-wide in order to insure parity among school districts.