Boyceville Board of Education approves tentative 2017-2018 budget
By Cara L. Dempski
BOYCEVILLE — The end of the fiscal year is approaching for Wisconsin schools, leaving many to ask what the 2017-2018 numbers will be if the state legislature does not approve a budget before the end of June.
The Boyceville Board of Education approved a tentative 2017-2018 budget heavily based on the 2016-2017 numbers during its June 15 regular meeting to maintain district operations until a state budget is approved.
District superintendent Kevin Sipple presented the Fund 10 estimated budget to the full board.
“The revenue side, we based the majority of the numbers on what we had in the 2016-2017 budget because we simply do not know,” Sipple explained. “The expenses are a little more accurate, because we generally know what our expenses are.”
Sipple noted the district is able to round up the percentage increases that might be necessary for the next school year for line items like salaries and utilities.
The projected revenue for the upcoming school year is $8,766,703, with $2,018,786 from Fund 10 property taxes, and $5,170,843 coming from state equalization aid. The district’s expenses are projected to be $8,880,450, with the greatest portion of that amount going to teacher, support staff and administration salaries.
The estimated budget would leave the district with $113,747 in unfunded expenses.
“That’s a very fluid number,” Sipple said. “With the little bit of work that’s been done this week with some hiring, with some changes in staffing, changes in insurance and some projected numbers, we’ve already shaved that $113,000 down to, I want to say, $75,000.”
Sipple informed the board if the district receives the aid he believes it will from the state, then the district will most likely have a balanced budget come the end of October.
He also told the board the district’s reality is that money from the 2017-2018 budget will start being spent right away July 1, regardless of whether the state budget is finalized. By passing a preliminary budget, the district is able to continue business past the end of the 2016-2017 fiscal year.
The measure received unanimous approval from the board.
Other business
The board also approved the district’s new wellness guidelines, new food service prices for the upcoming school year, and several staff resignations and new hires.
The wellness guidelines were the work of a committee, and provide recognition that good nutrition and regular physical activity are key pieces of a healthy lifestyle, and necessary for student well-being. The guidelines cover everything from district standards for school meals, to snacks sold during the school day but are outside the school meals program.
The document also indicates the district’s intent to provide nutrition education and promote healthy eating in combination with providing age-appropriate opportunities for engaging in physical activity and at least 60 minutes of physical education per week for elementary students.
Staff wellness and community engagement are recognized as necessary in order for the guidelines to consistently be met. The committee plans to distribute an employee health newsletter and administer shots to staff at the school, and will offer at least one family-focused event promoting healthy habits during the school year.
The changes in school food service prices piggybacked off the wellness guidelines.
The board meeting information packet indicated the government is asking schools to be charging $2.86 or more for lunches. Lunches at Boyceville schools cost between $2.35 and $2.65 last year, and Sipple submitted an increase to $2.40 for 4K through fourth grade, $2.55 for fifth and sixth grade, and $2.75 for seventh through 12th grades.
Additionally, milk prices will rise from $.35, the price since the 2011-2012 school year, to $.40.
Board members approved the resignation of Michael Roemhild from his position as an assistant football coach, and paraprofessional Julie Fisher. The group approved hiring Jordan Anderson as the new head football coach, and Keri Peterson was approved as the new varsity volleyball coach. She will be assisted by new assistant coach Katelyn Johnson.
Jodi Kanevra will be joining Boyceville High School as an English teacher, replacing Corey Smith, and Christina Lange was approved as a special education paraprofessional after serving as a long-term substitute for much of the 2016-2017 school year.
In other business, the board:
• Accepted an anonymous donation of 350 feet of select planed oak valued at $1,050.
• Accepted an anonymous donation of $1,000 for the Science Olympiad program.
• Accepted a $2,700 AgStar Fund for Rural America grant. This money will be used to purchase TIG (Tungsten Intert Gas) Welder for use in the Ag Mechanics course. Teacher Glenn Knutson indicates the welder is commonly used in area industries, and will allow students to learn skills in welding stainless steel and aluminum.
