August 12, 2013 at 5:00 PM - Regular August 2013 Meeting (5:00) & Annual Board Retreat (7:00)

Rationale: 

Public Participation at Board of Education Meetings:

BOE Policy/Regulation 8346 outlines the parameters of public participation at Board meetings concerning items on the agenda as well as those not on the agenda.  A copy of this policy is available in the Superintendent’s office and at each monthly Board meeting.

Rationale:  $43,228.88 is the amount of insurance settlement money we received for the second half of the insurance settlement for the hail damage we had on our roof.  This money was deposited into the general fund as an insurance receipt.  It will be expended from the general fund as a building improvement.  The total cost of the roof installation was $129,000.  The remaining balance of the roof project not covered by the insurance proceeds ($85,771.12) will be paid for through the special building fund.

Rationale:  $85,771.12 is the amount of the $129,000 roofing project completed by Magnum Roofing that was not covered by the insurance settlement in the amount of $43,228.88.  ($129,000-$43,228.88=$85,771.12)

Rationale:  This is a working draft of the 2013-14 Franklin School Budget.  It will be revised through the 20th of September and after the valuation is learned on August 20th.

Rationale:  Attached you will see the projected enrollment based on numbers provided by the guidance office.

Rationale:  Over the past year, the Franklin Public School Board, teaching staff, support staff, and administration have been working on updating all the board policies.  This work was completed early this summer.  The entire revised, current series of policy is available on the school's website.  A special thank you to all the staff members and board members who assisted the administration in this process.

Rationale:  On Friday, August 9th, the paras and the kitchen staff were invited to here a presentation regarding Obamacare and its possible implications for them.  They were also given the opportunity to ask questions publicly and privately regarding the issue.  A copy of the PowerPoint presentation used to inform them about Obamacara and its implications for staff is attached.

Rationale:  In the past we have always had the budget hearing first at 8:00 and then the property tax request hearing at 8:10, immediately before the regular September Board Meeting.

Rationale:  In the past we have always had the budget hearing first at 8:00 and then the property tax request hearing at 8:10, immediately before the regular September Board Meeting.

Rationale:  Each year the Franklin Public School's District's budget authority, that is, how much money the school district can budget to spend, is certified by The State of Nebraska.  This year, Franklin Public Schools Certified General Fund Budget Authority is $4,348,365.  Through a 75% majority vote of the Franklin Board of Education, this amount can be increased by 2% or an additional $86,967, making the budget authority of the district $4,435,332.

INCREASING THE BUDGET AUTHORITY WILL NOT INCREASE SPENDING DURING THE 2013-14 BUDGET CYCLE.  IT WILL HOWEVER PROVIDE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND MONEY SHOULD IT NEED TO WITHOUT BEING RESTRICTED FROM DOING SO BY THE STATE OF NEBRASKA.

Most school district across the state are taking advantage of this opportunity.  Russ Inbody, Head of the Office of Finance at the Nebraska Department of Education, recommends that all school districts do, citing the fact that the budget authority may be taken away or reduced in future years.

Mr. Schroeder recommends that you approve this motion to help put Franklin Public School District in the best possible financial position.

Rationale:  Each year we need to make a transfer to the school's lunch fund to subsidize that fund, since the school lunch program does not generate enough revenue to be self sustaining.  Annually, the general fund subsidizes the lunch program by approximately $40,000.  One $20,000 transfer was made earlier in the year.  This is the second $20,000 transfer.  This money will be used to purchase supplies (food) and to ensure we have enough money to meet payroll throughout the course of the school year.

Rationale:  This amount $70,000 was originally budgeted for in the general fund under function code 2620-500 for the additional work associated with the reroof of the south central portion of the school during the summer of 2013, such as the refrigeration, electrical, mechanical, drainage, concrete & HVAC work done in conjunction with the project.  It will also be used to pay for security improvements.  I have checked with Dana F.Cole, our auditors, and with Russ Inbody at the Office of Financial Services at NDE.  Both agree making the interfund loan is necessary in order to code the money correctly for the 2013-14 audit.

This loan will be paid back in full to the general fund by the special building fund.

($129,000)-*Roof
($15,260)-Drainage
($9,200)-Electrical
($21,310)-HVAC
($12,500)-Security Upgrades
($187,270)-Total Improvements
*($144,042)-Total Improvements Less Insurance Settlement for Roof

Rationale:  This is to approve membership in NRCSA for the upcoming school year.  NRCSA provides information to administrators and board members for efficiently running their school and for being progressive in the management of the school.  NRCSA also provides representation on rural economic and educational issues in the unicameral. 

Rationale:  This is the bus that was replaced by the new one added to the fleet earlier this summer.  Stacey recommended eliminating the old bus from the fleet.

Rationale:  We will need to have a second August Board Meeting this year, to pay off bills to contractors for summer work.  We will also need to approve payment of any bills that came in late for the first August Meeting.  This is a traditional practice to ensure we have all accounts current before our fiscal year ends on August 31st and the new one begins on September 1st.  I need a minimum of 4 board members who are willing to come to a lunch time board meeting (lunch will be served at Mr. Schroeder's expense, not the district's expense) on either August 27th, 28th, or 29th.  This meeting will be an open, advertised meeting.  Board members are encouraged to check their calendars in advance of the August 12th meeting to see if they will be available for a lunch time meeting on either of those three dates.

Rationale:  Marcia Herring from NASB will be meeting with the board and the administrative team to facilitate group discussion as part of their annual retreat and planning process.