The 2012-2013 budget and tax levies for Auburn Public Schools were approved Monday, Sept. 10, by the Board of Education.
The budget is $11,124,475.79, compared to the 2011-2012 budget of $10,828,254.34. Tax requests are: $4,588,434.30 for the general fund; $321,138.89 for the bond fund and $31,503.03 for the special building fund.
All tax levies are lower than 2011-2012. The total levy is $1.124940 per $100 valuation, compared to the 2011-2012 levy of $1.1399 per $100 valuation.
The levy includes: $1.038989 per $100 valuation for the general fund, compared to $1.040245 per $100 valuation in 2011-2012; 0.078718 per $100 valuation for the bond fund, compared to 0.090280 per $100 valuation in 2011-2012 and 0.007233 per $100 valuation for the special building fund, compared to 0.009411 in 2011-2012.
No public input was received at hearings which preceded school board action.
In the budget hearing, Superintendent Kevin Reiman reviewed numbers and priorities.
There are four goals for the 2012-2013 budget, Reiman said. They are: academic achievement, including improving the needs of the district’s curricular and co-curricular program; infrastructure, continuing to address the needs of the district; student safety and efficiency with taxpayer dollars.
Academic achievement goals include increasing teacher and employee pay; investing in new computers, iPods and iPads; switching to a computerized testing program; and professional development and workshops for faculty, what can district officials do to improve classroom instruction, the superintendent said.
Reiman said the computerized testing started Sept. 10 and went extremely well.
Infrastructure involved Internet and wireless improvements; considering carpeting and redesigning the middle school and high school vocal music room; a lighting project at all campuses; installation of the West Point seats in the auditorium; and high school gymnasium floor and other improvements.
Reiman said the lighting project should start next week. Work will be done during the day at the central office building and at night at the attendance centers, he said. The lights are low wattage and high efficiency. Specifications are being compiled for the high school gymnasium improvements.
Student safety issues include redesigning of the high school parking lot; continuation of the contract with Providence Canines for safety sweeps of the buildings; installation of digital cameras in the route buses, most of which were completed last week and reserving funds to address safety issues as they arise.
Reiman said he received compliments on the redesigning of the high school parking lot.
In efficiency with taxpayer dollars, the superintendent said budgeted expenditures from the general fund increased 3.7 percent. Over the past three years the budget has averaged a 1.2 percent increase. Actual expenditures from 2010-2011 decreased 3.1 percent. Reiman said district officials are doing all they can to get the most for their dollar.
Projected funding sources for the budget, besides property taxes, are: $427,000 in county and local funds; $3,493,394 in state funds, including $2,850,394 in state aid and $441,000 federal funds. The rest of the state funds included special education and other funds. Federal funding included Title I, special education and miscellaneous funds.
General fund taxable value showed an 8.4 percent increase. Bond fund taxable value showed a 7.8 percent increase.
The budget was submitted to state officials Tuesday, Sept. 11.
Insurance Renewals Approved
The district’s Workman’s Compensation insurance with First Dakota Indemnity Co. was renewed at a cost of $43,678. District officials are paying a little more up front because of some claims during the past year and a balance was due at the end of the year.
The district’s property insurance with EMC was renewed at a maximum cost of $75,219. That was a 7 percent increase, but a smaller increase than other districts. Some districts had increases of 20 percent.
Cyber liability was added to the insurance because of the increased reliability on electronic information. Kidnap, and ransom and child abduction was also added. Reiman said Auburn Public Schools officials are doing all they can to protect children.
Other Business
Bids of $200 each from Harry Bridgmon were accepted for the 1992 Chevrolet van and the 1990 Ford school bus. They were the only bids received for surplus equipment.
No bids were received for the antique speaker or the State Theater seating. The speaker may be sold to salvage.
A change to the 2012-2013 middle school and high school handbook was approved. In the change,
“all students are required to remain on campus during the school day unless excused by an administrator or their designee.” The change was made after school lawyers reviewed the handbooks.
Dr. Mike Zaruba, chair of the board’s Buildings, Grounds & Transportation Committee, said the committee believed that the high school bleachers need to be replaced when the gymnasium floor is replaced. A community fundraiser may be considered, which has been done in other communities.
Stephen Kennedy, chairman of the board’s Human Resources & Planning Committee, said a short- and long-term goal planning meeting may be in February 2013.
Administrative Reports
Superintendent: Reiman said the district’s audit was completed last week. It went smoothly. District officials should have the final report in November, he said.
Elementary Principal: Sharon Pollard, elementary principal, thanked various volunteer community committees filling the backpacks and delivering them to Calvert Elementary School. Fridays, Aug. 31 and Sept. 7, there were 18 backpacks sent home with qualified student families. They will be sent home each Friday or the last school day each week. Pollard received a thank you letter from John Mabry of the Food Bank of Lincoln for all that was done to get the BackPack program started at Calvert.
Thursday, Sept. 20, band instruments will be displayed in the high school band room from 3:40-6 p.m. Dennis Ehmke, band instructor, will have a parent meeting that night for fifth graders who are interested in band.
Pollard thanked Southeast Nebraska Developmental Services volunteers and supervisors for serving as daily crossing guards during dismissal time at Calvert. She said school officials appreciated their time and attention to helping students practice safe crosswalk procedures.
Fourth graders and teachers attended the Lewis and Clark Keelboat reenactment at the Riverview Marina at Nebraska City. Fifth graders and teachers attended Living History Day at Table Rock.
There were no reports from Nancy Fuller, director of school improvement and curriculum; Vernon Golladay, secondary principal and Kevin Walker, assistant principal and athletic director.
Next Meeting
The next Auburn Public Schools Board of Education regular meeting is Monday, Oct.. 8, at 5:30 p.m. at the district central office, 1713 J St., Auburn.