July 15, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Superintendent and Board of Education Workshop

Rationale: 

Public Participation at Board of Education Meetings:

BOE Policy/Regulation #2009 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:  The Financial Goals for this coming year for me will be to execute your desired wishes so that we can conduct the business of schooling.  I don't think an interim superintendent should come in for a year to present his/her vision for the future of the district and how budgeting affects that vision.

Rationale:  The Goal of this workshop for you should simply be a robust discussion of your thoughts on the following:

1.  Thoughts on the budgeting process in general.  (This can include thoughts about how you have done it in the past and general recommendations about how to proceed for this year)
2.  Thoughts on the current financial status of the district (Fund balance sheets are attached)
3.  Thoughts on any goals that each of you might have and how finances might affect those goals.

Rationale:  I talked with Linda at the Franklin County Assessor's office and while she could not give me specific final numbers, she agreed that in general a rise in valuations of 3% would be a good conservative guess.  The Lincoln Journal reported a week or so ago that statewide the valuations were up around 3%.  I believe the report was based on real estate agents reporting results of local sales.  Linda agreed that for early planning purposes this would be close.  Kim at Harlan County wasn't prepared to offer any speculation, so, in general, I think that a 3% increase for Franklin Public Schools would help us to get to the best information we can use.

Based on our discussion about our goals, I would like some direction from you regarding Property Tax Authority.  This is a new law that I haven't worked with before, but in talking with NDE it is simply designed to limit property tax to a 3% limitation from the prior year's asking.  Franklin's certified amount is $4,944,660 to be used for the General and Special Building Fund.  The Board can, however, increase that amount by $412,495 by a 70% vote if we feel it is necessary.

I have attached some Enrollment, Levy, and Valuation statistics for you that compares us with the schools we use in our array for negotiations.