Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Budget drafted based on two enrollment numbers
DAVENPORT—The school board heard about and discussed the district’s finances at a budget meeting Monday, May 9 that included projects for enrollment figures of 540 and 565.
Business manager Dana Telecky shared an initial draft budget for 540 students that projects a 3.11% revenue increase and 3.10% expenditure increase for the capital budget.
Under the projected budget, the district would receive $10,139,089 and spend $1,313,958, which would be a negative net of $174,869. Telecky said, however, that the proposed revenue figure is quite conservative. Superintendent Jim Kowalkowski added that the district has a healthy cash reserve balance to cover any potential deficit.
Under the proposed budget, the district would see a 5.36% raise in local tax revenue, 4.56% increase in local support, 7.04% increase in state general purpose funds and 10.4% raise in federal special purpose funds.
The proposed budget sees a 6.46% total expenditure increase for certified employee salaries and a 0.74% increase for classified employee salaries. The budget sees a 2.73% increase for employee benefits and taxes and a 3.67% increase for proposed services.
If enrollment lands closer to the 565 mark, the proposed budget currently has a 5.25% revenue increase and 3.10% expenditure increase.
The version of the proposed budget with 565 students enrolled would see the district taking in $10,349,536 and spending $10,313,958, a $35,578 difference in the black.
Revenue and expenditure percentages were left the same between the two forecasts.
The district also has $982,946 left in federal COVID-19 funds to spend, which must be done by Sept. 30, 2024.
Kowalkowski said the district is currently 9th on the priority list to receive $1.9 million in state funds for small district modernization. He said he was told the district should receive that money eventually depending on when state legislators decide to award that, which is likely to be between 2022-24.
Future projects were discussed Monday, including a new HVAC system and new boilers at the high school. The high school roof needs to be replaced by the 2024-25 school year. A 2019 quote that hasn’t been adjusted for inflation forecasted a $195,000 figure to replace the high school gym room and $450,000 for the rest of the building.
The current balance of the capital project fund is $580,211. Estimated collections next year of $363,332 would leave $943,543 available.
Other potential projects include upgrading and re-striping the track, re-sealing asphalt district-wide and eventually building a new building for secondary programs like Pathways to utilize.
The school board also approved the hires of Sarita Hopkins as the new elementary principal and Tim Rasmussen as new athletic director Monday. More will be shared about the two hires in future issues of The Record-Times.
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
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