Budget amended for Slater School District

The state funding formula for the 2012-2013 school year doesn't seem as though it will change, which has several school boards breathing quiet sighs of relief. The possibility of receiving nearly the same amount of funds next year, however, doesn't mean districts won't struggle to maintain many of their programs.

During a Slater Board of Education meeting Wednesday evening, budget considerations acted as a counterweight for several decisions made by the district. Board members approved amending the budget during the meeting, making this the third revision this year.

Changes amount to a projection of $3,000 less deficit spending than last projected. The district is still $33,514 in the negative, according to Superintendent Carol Maher. When the budget was created, however, district officials calculated conservative revenues with enhanced expenditures in order to provide a financial cushion.

"I think our revenues and expenditures will even out more," Maher told board members.

Additional revenues that were not budgeted are filtering into the district, such as railroad and utility taxes as well as taxes from the gaming and bank industries.

"We went from about $170,000 to about $234,000 in revenues," Maher continued.

Likewise, expenditures in the budget rose from approximately $188,000 to $250,000.

As the district monitors income fluctuations from the state, several in-school cuts were made for next year.

"Slater's been losing enrollment for a long time, and I think that steps have not been taken to reflect that," Maher said. "I think it's caught up to us to the point where we have to admit that we are a smaller school than we were. And we have to take steps to right (correct) that in the formula."

The Slater Plan, Slater's revised version of Career Ladder, was cut for next year. The program cost roughly $31,000 this year. Board members seemed to agree that although it's been beneficial for teachers, funding it would be a challenge. A faculty member also spoke up, saying most teachers agree they'd rather see those funds used for another purpose.

Later, Board President Rick Hays addressed funding during considerations of the salary schedule.

"That would be great to be able to keep everybody and give everybody a raise," Hays said. "The numbers right now don't look like we can. I talked to some people down in Jeff City ... and they're more optimistic about school funding than they've been in the last three years. But it's still not good by any means. But they think ... it's leveling off a little bit."

The CTA had distributed a survey to district staff and faculty, seeking their preferences on salary such as unfreezing steps or adding $500 to base pay. And board members will take that into consideration.

They did agree to cap the number of years newly hired teachers can transfer into the salary schedule, though. Beginning next year, a majority of teachers would be able to bring in up to five years and high needs teachers may bring in up to 12. Board members also clarified they would be able to vote on the number of years a high needs teacher could claim.

Other business Wednesday evening included board members approving to cut Dual Credit payment in half and eliminating payments for grades below a "B." They will also consider raising the tuition of the Early Childhood program, though nothing was decided during the meeting.

Principals reported a 96 percent attendance rate in the elementary school, 97 percent in the junior high school and 94 percent at the high school for January. The Booster Club also hopes to install a banner in the gym honoring all state track champions.

All board members were present, including Buddy Griffith who was sworn in Wednesday. The board went into closed session to discuss personnel and legal matters.

Contact Sarah Reed at
sreed@marshallnews.com