School funded count looks to be within 1 of budget

    An estimated October student count in Holyoke School District Re-1J looks to result in a funded count of 584.1, which is just slightly lower than the projected budget of 585 funded students.
    This student numbers report was given at the Oct. 16 meeting of the Board of Education.
    Superintendent Kyle Stumpf noted that the actual seat count in the school district is estimated to be down six from last year, dropping to 577. The Colorado Department of Education funded count estimate of 584.1 is down three from the fall 2017 actual count of 587.4.
    Preliminary numbers from the Phillips County assessor indicate tax revenue will be close to projections, as well.
    Stumpf added that Budget and Finance Director Ben Rahe will use these numbers to finalize the budget in December. He said the district feels very confident with only being off one from the budgeted student count.
    Rahe’s written report from the first quarter of the fiscal year indicated that expenditures are down significantly from this time a year ago. He said this is a function from the Building Excellent Schools Today grant expenses the district had a year ago, as well as the large lease payment to First Pioneer National Bank that was paid in the first quarter last year.
    However, the district made a concerted effort to cut back on expenses with a goal to increase reserves, reported Rahe in his first-quarter financial summary.
    “All categories except alternative school and athletics show a decrease from the previous year — all while giving staff raises and the 20 percent increase in medical insurance costs,” reported Rahe.
    
Policy review moves forward
    Several new and revised policies from the Colorado Association of School Boards were part of the superintendent’s report at the beginning of last week’s board meeting.
    Stumpf said board input will be needed on the policy dealing with student use of electronic communication devices before it returns for first-reading approval.
    Other policy subjects from last week that will be returning for approval at the next meeting include school meal payments, intra-district choice/open enrollment and secret societies/gang activity.
    Second-reading policy approval was given for six revised and legal reference changes that passed first reading at the Oct. 2 meeting.
    First-reading approval was given for five revised policies and one legal reference change.
    Subjects of the first-reading revisions were bonded employees and officers; accident reports; school closings and cancellations; open hiring/equal employment opportunity; and student fees, fines and charges. The legal reference policy change was for purchasing/purchasing authority.
    
Other business
    In other business Oct. 16, the Re-1J board:
    — Hired coaches Aaron Sprague, assistant JH boys basketball; Andrew Colglazier, JH head wrestling; and Parker Redfern, HS assistant wrestling. Board member Dusty Sprague abstained from the vote involving his brother (Aaron Sprague).
    — Conducted a 1-hour-and-45-minute executive session at the close of the meeting for the informal superintendent evaluation.

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