$1.459M projected balance drives budget

With a projected beginning fund balance of $1,459,080, the 2017-18 preliminary budget for Holyoke School District Re-1J was adopted at the June 20 board meeting.
    The budget was built on an estimated October count of 585 students, down 10 from a year ago. Superintendent John McCleary cited that total program funding for the budget is at $5,561,877, an increase of $444,415 over last year.
    This increase includes $212,409 from the state legislature’s one-time funding for rural schools, an increase in pupil funding and no increase in the district’s negative factoring for 2017-18.
    The negative factor (the amount the state will withhold due to other funding obligations and TABOR restrictions) is set at $596,247 for Holyoke School District for the upcoming fiscal year.
    McCleary emphasized that this budget does not deficit spend but will have a surplus which will be used to create a district reserve, as suggested by the Budget and Facilities Committee. No less than $60,000 will be identified to begin building the reserve.
    Step increases, as well as a 1 percent base increase were funded for all certified employees for 2017-18. Classified employees will see step increases ranging from 3.92-7.59 percent as the first of a two-year process.
    Additionally, the district will cover the Public Employees Retirement Association increase for all employees at a total cost of $36,000. There will be no further reduction to an employee’s paycheck over the 8 percent currently deducted.
    With no increase to the district for health insurance premiums, single coverage will continue to be fully funded for employee health care. The district added a health care plan for paraprofessionals starting in 2017-18.
    Two Building Excellent Schools Today grants are being operated by the district for a total of $876,722, with a matching lease purchase of $400,000.
    Another highlight of the adopted budget includes approximately $119,000 in the purchase of reading materials for the first reading program purchased in the district in over 15 years.
    McCleary also noted that the district has negotiated and will be paying back the BEST health insurance plan a deficit amount of $200,000 over six years.
    After a budget hearing at last week’s board meeting, the following appropriations for the adopted budget were approved for 2017-18:
    General Fund — $8,551,779
    Food Service — $255,120
    Bond Redemption — $472,042
    Trust and Agency — $52,342
    Pupil Activity — $397,764
    Total Approp. — $9,729,047
    
     3 board seats to open this year
    Three board seats will be up for election Nov. 7 in Holyoke School District. McCleary highlighted the election timelines last week, noting that nomination petitions may be circulated Aug. 9-Sept. 1.
    Board members whose terms expire are Kris Camblin, Pat Wiebers and Nici Akey. Due to term limits, Camblin is not eligible to seek re-election.
    
    Guidelines considered for athletic fan and parent expectations
    Stressing positivity, but addressing potential consequences for unacceptable behavior, the school board discussed expectations for athletic fans.
    Athletic director Sandra Rahe highlighted some of the ways these expectations will be relayed after they are solidified. She said there will be a more strenuous talk at the parents’ meetings at the beginning of the sports seasons, sportsmanship banners will be hung in the gyms, and something will be added to the printed programs addressing the expectations.
    In order to promote a positive environment and provide clarity on fan behavior at sporting events, two levels of offenses have been identified that can create a negative sporting environment — minor and major.
    Minor offenses are small actions that can lead to major problems. Examples of minor behaviors are booing or yelling out criticism at the referees, yelling criticism at coaches for the plans or decisions they make, yelling at or singling out an individual participant, and aggressive language without the use of profanity.
    Consequences for minor offenses will start with a verbal warning for the first offense, then a written warning, leading to suspension from sporting activities for a length of time.
    A major offense is defined as any violation of existing Policy KFA on public conduct on school property. Consequences include immediate suspension from attending school events for a designated length of time.
    Any violation of KFA or any aggressive response back to the administrator in charge that only escalates the problem will result in immediate expulsion for the sporting activity and will be classified as a major offense.
    McCleary noted, “If we’re holding fans to a level of behavior, we should hold ourselves to a level of supervision.” Discussion was held on potential de-escalation training for district personnel who are helping with supervision.
    Board members agreed that the guidelines are a good starting point.
    
    Other business
    In other business last week, the school board:
    —Reviewed student handbook changes for 2017-18. Within the updates for Chromebook usage, a statement was added to the student pledge noting that the student will not use the Chromebook to charge a cellphone, as it destroys the Chromebook battery.
    —Noted the July 18 board retreat will begin at 5 p.m. with a brief board meeting. That will be the only board meeting in July.
    Among the topics on the retreat agenda are board evaluation, professional development, mill levy override and high school principal hiring process.
    —Held a 24-minute executive session to discuss personnel.