Board member says 15-20 percent cuts needed, but there will be no tax levies or layoffs
Lead Summary
By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
The Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education briefly discussed how the district would adapt to possible state funding cuts, with one board member saying that neither a levy or layoffs would be necessary.
During the board's regular session held Wednesday at Hillsboro Elementary board finance committee chairman Ken Shull said that the committee and district was looking into preparing to cut 15-20 percent of the budget, depending on state funding cuts next year.
"It's important for the public to know that there are no plans for a tax levy or reduction in force," Shull said. "(Working on cuts with district treasurer Debbie Lawwell) when put in place will keep us in good shape financially."
Lawwell reported to the board that the district, at the end of November, had $3,980,606, compared to $4,319,350 the district had at that same time last year. Total expenses for November were $1,937,721.
During the November school board meeting, Shull had reported that with potential cuts in state funding, the district could realistically be looking at a decrease of $2 million.
"Expenditures are well under control," Shull said in November. "The problem is a revenue problem. With state funding, we are looking at what could be a cut of 15-20 percent, which is $2 million for this school district. In the not-too-distant future, we need to look at what we are going to do if we lose $2 million in state funding."
Additionally, Lawwell said that numbers are showing that the district has saved $240,000 in open enrollment.
Board president Laura Bagshaw said, "That is such good news."
Lawwell agreed, saying, "I think people are coming back to the district."
At the end of the meeting, the board voted to go into executive session to discuss disciplinary action, evaluations, contracts, compensation of public employees, and to review negotiations agreements.
In other business, the board:
• Voted 6-0, at the recommendation of Lawwell, to accept the resolution for tax advance. Lawwell said this allows her to request and receive tax advances from the county auditor and county treasurer, a move which she typically does twice a year. She said by getting the advance, it allows the district to invest the funds.
• Voted 6-0 to approve the a contract with Novell Network support for December to June at a cost of $40,000. Board members questioned the cost of the contract, and Superintendent Rick Earley said they provided technical support, primarily to the districts servers which run the computer log-ins and email.
While the district is "looking into ways to curb (the cost)," Earley said, "there are some situations in which we need their help in trouble-shooting some main servers issues."
• Voted 6-0 to approve membership in the Ohio School Board Association for the 2011 calendar year at a cost of $5,962. The board said that cost is a figured arrived at on a "per pupil" basis.
• Approved the resignations of Denise Bohrer, an office aid, and Ben Gullett, play/musical director. Earley said that both were resigning to accept jobs elsewhere.
• Voted 5-0, with board member Bill Myers abstaining due to a conflict, to approve the following employment contingent upon satisfactory background checks and property certification: sub certificated - Vicky Beekman, Candice Mechlin, Carol Ridgeway; sub classified - Stacey Newman, bus driver; supplementals - Doug Couch, middle school wrestling; LeAnn Frazer-Watkins, science department chair; James Jones, elementary wrestling coordinator; Bud Marsh, book store; Katie Moberly, elementary basketball coordinator; Larry Wiley, guidance department chair; volunteers - Laura Hart, Lela McFarland, Julie Pence; school tutoring for Hillsboro Primary - Jacqueline Cupp, Jessica Jordan, Ashton Lawhorn, Andrew McFarland, Crystal Myers, Gina Vanzant.
The Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education briefly discussed how the district would adapt to possible state funding cuts, with one board member saying that neither a levy or layoffs would be necessary.
During the board's regular session held Wednesday at Hillsboro Elementary board finance committee chairman Ken Shull said that the committee and district was looking into preparing to cut 15-20 percent of the budget, depending on state funding cuts next year.
"It's important for the public to know that there are no plans for a tax levy or reduction in force," Shull said. "(Working on cuts with district treasurer Debbie Lawwell) when put in place will keep us in good shape financially."
Lawwell reported to the board that the district, at the end of November, had $3,980,606, compared to $4,319,350 the district had at that same time last year. Total expenses for November were $1,937,721.
During the November school board meeting, Shull had reported that with potential cuts in state funding, the district could realistically be looking at a decrease of $2 million.
"Expenditures are well under control," Shull said in November. "The problem is a revenue problem. With state funding, we are looking at what could be a cut of 15-20 percent, which is $2 million for this school district. In the not-too-distant future, we need to look at what we are going to do if we lose $2 million in state funding."
Additionally, Lawwell said that numbers are showing that the district has saved $240,000 in open enrollment.
Board president Laura Bagshaw said, "That is such good news."
Lawwell agreed, saying, "I think people are coming back to the district."
At the end of the meeting, the board voted to go into executive session to discuss disciplinary action, evaluations, contracts, compensation of public employees, and to review negotiations agreements.
In other business, the board:
• Voted 6-0, at the recommendation of Lawwell, to accept the resolution for tax advance. Lawwell said this allows her to request and receive tax advances from the county auditor and county treasurer, a move which she typically does twice a year. She said by getting the advance, it allows the district to invest the funds.
• Voted 6-0 to approve the a contract with Novell Network support for December to June at a cost of $40,000. Board members questioned the cost of the contract, and Superintendent Rick Earley said they provided technical support, primarily to the districts servers which run the computer log-ins and email.
While the district is "looking into ways to curb (the cost)," Earley said, "there are some situations in which we need their help in trouble-shooting some main servers issues."
• Voted 6-0 to approve membership in the Ohio School Board Association for the 2011 calendar year at a cost of $5,962. The board said that cost is a figured arrived at on a "per pupil" basis.
• Approved the resignations of Denise Bohrer, an office aide, and Ben Gullett, play/musical director. Earley said that both were resigning to accept jobs elsewhere.
• Voted 5-0, with board member Bill Myers abstaining due to a conflict, to approve the following employment contingent upon satisfactory background checks and property certification: sub certificated - Vicky Beekman, Candice Mechlin, Carol Ridgeway; sub classified - Stacey Newman, bus driver; supplementals - Doug Couch, middle school wrestling; LeAnn Frazer-Watkins, science department chair; James Jones, elementary wrestling coordinator; Bud Marsh, book store; Katie Moberly, elementary basketball coordinator; Larry Wiley, guidance department chair; volunteers - Laura Hart, Lela McFarland, Julie Pence; school tutoring for Hillsboro Primary - Jacqueline Cupp, Jessica Jordan, Ashton Lawhorn, Andrew McFarland, Crystal Myers, Gina Vanzant.
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