MARCELINE — In accordance with state law, Marceline R-5 Superintendent Gabe Edgar prepared a preliminary budget for the coming school year and presented that budget to the R-5 School Board during last Thursday’s board meeting.
The budget presented is tentative because Edgar doesn’t know at this juncture what he will be receiving in revenue from the State. Furthermore, thanks to Senate Bill 711, the County doesn’t have to release its assessed valuation figures on real estate until June 30, although school districts have to submit their preliminary budgets by July 1.
Nevertheless, Edgar has projected an increase of one percent on real estate valuation and a decline of three percent in personal property valuation. It is also difficult to know how many students the R-5 District will gain or lose in the coming year, although enrollment has declined by 235 students over the past nine years, or an average of about 26 students every year. The state’s funding formula is based heavily on enrollment numbers, so further losses will have a detrimental effect on state revenues allotted to the R-5 District.
On a more positive note, the R-5 District anticipates an increase of 12 more kindergartners in the coming school year.
To offset declines in revenues, expenditures in personnel will continue to be cut as positions are vacated and nor refilled. Sixteen positions have been dropped over the past couple of years, and most of those expenditure decreases have been accomplished through attrition.
Although Edgar projects a 6 percent increase in health insurance rates for personnel, the R-5 District has enjoyed 36 straight months without an increase in those premiums.
The R-5 Superintendent anticipates a 10 percent rise in electric rates, but that is a conservative projection for purposes of competing the preliminary budget.
The R-5 District will continue to make $275,000 payments on the debt service levy (i.e., payments owed on bonds) and has extended the term of those payments from the year 2015 to the year 2023.
The R-5 District intends to purchase one copier but no new busses. There will be no increase for lunches to students, although the R-5 District took a $3,436 loss on school provided meals last year.
Edgar advised the R-5 Board that of the $154,240 the R-5 had received in federal stimulus funds for IDEA (Individuals With Disabilities Education Act/special education), the District still has $75,500.
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