September 16, 2019 at 5:30 PM - Regular Meeting

Dave Melick, Executive Director of Business Operations and Human Relations, handed out source information at the meeting. Information regarding budget was published, no one contacted Mr. Melick or Dr. Leoffelholz.

The overall budget includes the general fund, depreciation fund, activities fund, lunch fund and special building fund. The bond debt decreased $3,411,609.00 during the past year. The overall budget increase for the 2019-2020 school year is 2.9%. The main increase in the general fund is the result of additional staff to meet enrollment increases, the SRO contract with the City of Columbus, adding the After School Program, restoring cash reserve to its former level, and employee compensation. 

The overall general fund budget for 2019-2020 will be $52,600,334.00. The CPS budget complies with the statutory limitation for school spending. 

The proposed tax levy for general fund and special building fund is $1.049989. CPS patrons' total tax levy will decrease from 1.24 to 1.21, that is a decrease of 3.1 cents, this is a reduction of $62.00 on a $200,000.00 property.

Assessed valuation for the district increased 4%, which is a bit higher than the 3.6% 5-year average. Platte County has increased, many counties assessed valuations have decreased. CPS meets compliance on statutory limits for school districts.

Superintendent, Dr. Loeffelholz, said the policy was restructured regarding foreign travel.

Mike Jeffryes commented that he saw this policy at work on Friday night at the CHS football game.  Dr. Loeffelholz said the main objective is to have some control of situations for the safety of everyone involved. We have  Jenee Bethune, Michelle Cruise, and Danita Wickens taking photos at many of our events at this time.

Mike Jeffryes and Candy Becher are on the Foundation Board. This is the same slate of officers, no changes have been made since last year.  

Tom Bock  is requesting $4000.00 for the Close Up trip to Washington, DC. Hoping to take 20 students. The board wants to encourage students and sponsors to step up and do some fundraising for their group. The board says this is a great trip and well worth it. Candy Becher, Board President's concern is that the board will not always be able to help fund the trip. At some time other groups may ask for money, and these scholarships would decrease for a specific trip.  Dr. Loeffelholz would like them to become more self-sustaining.  Theresa Seipel, board member, said without fundraising, it could be pricing some students out of the opportunity. 

Mike Jeffryes inquired about approving substitute teachers and what are the criteria.   

Dr. Loeffelholz reminded everyone that this report reflected final numbers for the year.  CPS has great support going back to our schools from the umbrella organizations and the CPS Foundation.

Candy Becher said CPS has been good stewards, increases are directly related to staffing. This includes teachers and paras for our students and staff for the After School Program. 
Theresa Seipel said, the community doesn't always understand that taxes being rasied is because values have gone up, not because we are spending more, CPS can’t control that.  Prices for homes have gone up in Columbus.

Mr. Melick shared the decrease in the tax levy from $1.24 to $1.21, this is the savings on the final tax bill from the school district.

Mr. Melick reported that the district did not receive the fresh fruit and vegetable program grant. However, CMS was awarded $8,852, through a grant for equipment to keep things at the proper temperature. 

Dr. Loeffelholz talked about the Early Childhood K-1 survey, Blueprint NE has and its economic summary. The first 12 pages are about childcare and preschool. The Governor and Hank Bounds initiated Blueprint Nebraska.  LB720 economic development, LB289 property tax bill, foundation aid are two legislative bills to watch.
 
He also reminded the Board about the Retreat on Monday, September 23, at the Ramada Inn beginning at 5:30. Agenda items need to be sent to Dr. Loeffelholz or Ms. Becher no later than Friday. Some items to be discussed are Kramer and the next steps. 

The Americanism Committee will meet at noon on October 2nd for it's first required meeting to discuss Civics.

Mike Jeffryes said school is going well. He has one in college, she has come back and asked questions at the high school and alway gets those questions answered. 

Theresa said she has had the question asked regarding whether the school board is in favor of the early childhood plan, she thinks we need to get going, and she is anxious for the round table discussions. Mrs. Seipel feels the process is much like the process that was followed during the bond campaign. She believes we are doing this the right way by asking for permission and input from others, the community respects that. 

Ms. Becher said the survey results show there is a need. We need to move forward with funding. She thanked Mr. Melick for his work on the budget, all of his work shows the public that we are being careful. Mrs. Seipel added she is confident that Mr. Melick puts the focus on budget dollars being spent where it is needed.