Royal Valley B.O.E. looking at options to save money

Royal Valley Board of Education members have started to consider ways to reduce the district budget as they brace for budget cuts from the state.

In a previous meeting, Superintendent John Rundle noted that, with the passage of the block grant proposal, the district’s state aid is set to decrease by more than $80,000 this year, which includes cuts to capital outlay ($34,731) and the Local Option Budget ($50,331).

In addition, the district’s KPERS (Kansas Public Employees Retirement System) allotment would be reduced by $92,811 this year.

In the 2016 fiscal year, the state will not be replenishing the $80,338 taken away in operating funds this year, although an additional $22,354 will be added to the general fund.

During Monday’s meeting, board members received a draft of possible expenses that could be reduced if funds fall short. No decisions were taken on any of the items.

Rundle noted that two teachers and one bus driver are retiring at the end of the year, and four additional employees have also resigned from their positions.

“There’s some decisions that will need to be made regarding whether we replace or not replace those positions,” Rundle said.

The board is also considering reducing postage and paper costs by e-mailing the district’s newsletter instead of printing and mailing them. It’s estimated that this change could save the district $5,000.

Rundle said that patrons could call the district and still have a newsletter specifically mailed to them.

“We have a lot of different ways in which people get information on the district,” Rundle said, noting the district’s website, Facebook page and Twitter account.

Board members also discussed if it was possible to reduce coaching positions or remove athletic programs with lower participation numbers, such as the golf team, which has five members this year.

Several years ago, the district limited the team to seven students for transportation reasons.

“We’ve not had more than five or six kids participate for a few years,” Rundle said. 

It was noted that members of the golf team do conduct fund-raisers to offset some expenses.

Board member Rusty Douglas was outspoken against reducing any tutoring or school-after-school programs in the district.

“Those are important things that we need to continue to do,” Douglas said.

Some of the other items considered included reducing cleaning supplies, reducing professional development and moving all handbooks online.

“We’ll need to come back to this,” Rundle said of the possible reductions. “At some point, we’ll need to make some firm decisions.”

In other business, the board:

* Approved consent items.

* Received a legislative update from Rundle, who noted that state lawmakers are on break until April 29. The Consensus Revenue Estimate is April 20 and a $667 million shortfall is now estimated for the 2016 fiscal year.

Board members Jeff Stithem and Ann Kelly commented on the legislative breakfast held in Holton on April 4. They both reported that there was some “very interesting dialogue” at the breakfast by all three lawmakers.

* Reviewed times and dates for board members to serve staff members ice cream sundaes to recognize their hard work.

* Approved several regalia purchases for the Native American Singers and Dancers. The items totaled $900 and will be paid for by Impact Aid funds.

* Heard a report from Susan Pfrang, director of curriculum and instruction, on the progress of state assessment testing in the district.

“We haven’t had too many problems logging in,” Pfrang said. “We’re just plugging away.”

This week, third-grade students are being tested in math, as well as sixth and seventh-grade students. Eight-grade students and high school students have almost completed their testing and there are just a few tests scheduled for next week, she said.

* Received an update on the district’s annual health insurance renewal. Rundle said that members of the teachers association met with Randy Dick, insurance broker, on Monday morning to discuss insurance options.

It was agreed to have staff members fill out health surveys again and to request a bid from Midwest Public Risk while they wait on a renewal quote from Lifestyle Health Plans of Wichita.

* Approved the cost of replacing the carpet in the classroom portion of the RVHS plant science room at a cost of $1,720.

* Approved furniture purchases totaling $2,137.96, which includes several desks, chairs and a markerboard. The items are being purchased from School Specialty of Salina. If the budget allows in June, an additional $3,832.50 might be allocated to purchase additional chairs and desks, Rundle said. 

* Accepted two donations on behalf of the district. The district received $1,500 after several high school students participated in the 2015 Kansas Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

The board also accepted a total of $2,799.50 in donations for the RVHS activity account.

* Approved payment #5 of  $15,507 to Shirley Construction for construction work on the high school greenhouse.

* Accepted three resignations, including Charlie Nimz as assistant high school principal, Taryn Temple as forensics coach and Becky McClane as a RVHS cook. 

* Met in executive session for 25 minutes with Rundle, Pfrang and Noah Slay, RVES principal, to discuss non-elected personnel and teacher salary negotiations.

Back in open session, the board agreed to pursue hiring an assistant principal to replace Nimz and to offer a contract to Russell Hodison as the summer weight program assistant.

* Adjourned the meeting. All board members were present.