Board Minutes September 18, 2006
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER EXCEEDING
THE BASIC ALLOWABLE GROWTH RATE BY 1%
PENDER PUBLIC SCHOOL – ROOM #111
September 18, 2006 – 8:00 P.M.
President Lander opened the
public hearing at 8:00 p.m. for purposes of hearing support,
opposition, criticism, suggestions or observations of taxpayers
relating to exceeding the Basic Allowable Growth Rate (BAGR) by 1%
with the following members present: Mark Lander, Terri Reppert,
Larry Simonsen, Connie Felber, Robert McQuistan and Franklin
Fendrick. Absent: None. Also present were
Superintendent/Elementary Principal Joe Sherwood, Secondary
Principal Jason Dolliver and Recording Secretary Barb
Preston. Visitors: Approximately 35 district
patrons.
Superintendent Sherwood
provided reasoning for exceeding the BAGR and answered
questions.
President Lander closed the public hearing at 8:02 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER THE 2006-07 BUDGET OF EXPENDITURES
PENDER PUBLIC SCHOOL – ROOM #111
September 18, 2006 – 8:00 P.M.
President Lander opened the
public hearing at 8:02 p.m. for purposes of hearing support,
opposition, criticism, suggestions or observations of taxpayers
relating to the 2006-07 Budget of Expenditures with the following
members present: Mark Lander, Terri Reppert, Larry Simonsen,
Connie Felber, Robert McQuistan and Franklin Fendrick.
Absent: None. Also present were
Superintendent/Elementary Principal Joe Sherwood, Secondary
Principal Jason Dolliver and Recording Secretary Barb
Preston. Visitors: Approximately 35 district
patrons.
Superintendent Sherwood provided an
overview of the proposed budget of expenditures and discussion
followed. Much of the discussion centered on what part, if
any of the approved 25¢ levy override should be levied in the
2006-07 budget. Mr. Sherwood recommended that $.1263 be
levied to generate an additional $250,000 cash reserve amount,
stating that the $250,000 would be banked. Superintendent
Sherwood supported this recommendation by using projections based
on State Aid, valuation changes, decline in student enrollment,
budget growth. To best plan for fiscal needs in the future
this additional amount of cash reserve would be necessary.
Mr. Sherwood went on record stating that he did not want to be
accused of being a poor finance manager when the future may demand
more revenue than we can generate at that time. He also
shared that some patrons of the district felt that because they
approved the override, the district should plan accordingly; taking
a small portion each year.
District patrons expressed
their opinion on why they felt the additional $.1263 in levy was
unnecessary. Patrons encouraged board members to hold the
line on the budget and resulting taxes and felt that the community
would be more supportive when the need was more evident. Some
district patrons felt that the district should borrow money if when
the time came and budget to repay that loan in the next fiscal year
using override levy amounts. Other patrons opined that they
did not feel that the override was meant to fund a “savings
account” and asked that the district consider reducing the cash
reserve asking from $550,000 to $300,000 and staying within the lid
limits. District patrons thanked board members and
Superintendent Sherwood for allowing open discussion and felt they
were doing a good job.
Other portions of the budget were discussed and questions were asked. A district patron suggested that the significant increase in valuation this year should be enough to provide the necessary increases. An explanation was provided as to why the Qualified Capital Purpose Fund (QCPUF) levy needed to remain at 5.2¢ stating that a board decision was made to leave the levy at 5.2¢ in order to facilitate paying off the QCPUF bonds more quickly to allow another option to fund building needs. Mr. Sherwood stated that for the first time in quite a few years the district has the ability to levy monies for the Special Building Fund. The Special Building Fund is used to support major building repairs or renovations, such as roofing, structural concerns, etc. The budget increase for 2006-07 represents an increase of approximately 5.6% and reasons for that increase were discussed and explained. The increase resulted because of increases in employee costs, additional programs, adding a bus route, insurance and utility increases, etc.
Those present discussed the merits of two new programs for 2006-07 – Preschool and After School – and asked questions about how the programs were being received. Mr. Sherwood informed the board and guests that no grants were currently being used to fund the programs. Other program needs were reviewed.
President Lander thanked everyone for coming to the budget hearing and for the input they provided. Superintendent Sherwood expressed his appreciation for the valuable information provided at the hearing.
President Lander closed the public hearing at 9:13 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER SETTING THE SYSTEM-WIDE TAX REQUESTS
PENDER PUBLIC SCHOOL – ROOM #111
September 18, 2006 – 8:15 p.m.
President Lander opened the public hearing at 9:13 p.m. for purposes of hearing support, opposition, criticism, suggestions or observations of taxpayers relating to setting the tax levies for the general, qualified capital purpose undertaking, special building and bond funds with the following members present: Mark Lander, Terri Reppert, Larry Simonsen, Connie Felber, Robert McQuistan and Franklin Fendrick. Absent: None. Also present were Superintendent/Elementary Principal Joe Sherwood, Secondary Principal Jason Dolliver and Recording Secretary Barb Preston. Visitors: Approximately 35 district patrons.
Superintendent Sherwood provided information as to the proposed General Fund System-wide levy, the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund levy, the Special Building Fund levy and the Bond Fund levy. District patrons expressed that they had voiced opinion and suggestions in the previous public hearing that would directly impact the levy setting resolution.
Again, President Lander thanked community members for their input and explained that the board would make formal consideration of these items during the upcoming special meeting.
President Lander closed the public hearing at 9:14 p.m.
PENDER PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING MINUTES
Pender Public School – Room #111
September 18, 2006 – 8:00 p.m.
The Pender Public School Board of Education met in regular session in Room #111 on Monday, September 18, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. President Mark Lander called the meeting to order at 9:14 p.m. with the following members present: Larry Simonsen, Robert McQuistan, Terri Reppert, Mark Lander, Connie Felber and Franklin Fendrick. Absent: None. Also present were Superintendent/Elementary Principal Joe Sherwood, Secondary Principal Carol Hilker and Recording Secretary Barb Preston. Visitors: Approximately 35 district patrons.
President Lander notified those present that as of July 1, 2006, Nebraska Statute 84-1412(8) requires that the public be informed about the location of posted information regarding the Open Meetings Act and drew their attention to the copy posted in the meeting room and accessible to all members of the public.
President Lander reviewed the agenda as presented, affirmed that every board member had received notice of the meeting and that the meeting had been published. The board expanded the agenda to include a time for patrons to address the board for items that did not already appear on the agenda and to add a report on two requests for public records from Superintendent Sherwood under Agenda Item #4 – Other Items. The agenda was approved as amended.
President Lander invited members of the audience to address the board; however, no one took advantage of the opportunity.
Motion made by Simonsen, seconded by Fendrick to approve exceeding the $1.05 levy limit due to the reduction in state aid through exclusion as allowed by law through the 2006-07 budget. President Lander stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
Motion made by Felber, seconded by McQuistan
to exceed the basic allowable growth rate by 1.0% for the 2006-07
budget year. President Lander stated the motion and the
result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
Motion made by McQuistan, seconded by Felber to approve the 2006-07
budget of expenditures. After discussion, McQuistan withdrew
his motion and Felber her second. No action was taken.
Motion made by Fendrick, seconded by Simonsen to approve the 2006-07 budget of expenditures as published except for amending the General Fund to show a decrease in cash reserve asking from $550,000 to $300,000. President Lander stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being: Ayes—McQuistan, Fendrick, Lander, Simonsen, Reppert; Nays—Felber; motion carried 5-1.
President Lander read aloud the amended 2006-07 Tax Request Resolution representing the decrease in General Fund cash reserve asking from $550,000 to $300,000.
Motion by Simonsen, second by McQuistan to approve the 2006-07 Tax Request Resolution for all funds as read aloud with the tax request set as follows: (1) the Tax Request for the General Fund should be, and hereby is set at $1.0454 (includes State Aid exclusion amount) for the 2006-07 school fiscal year; (2) the Tax Request for the Bond Fund should be, and hereby is set at $.1577 for the Pender School District only and at $.0699 for the Pender School District and its affiliate (Cuming County District #82) for a total bond fund levy of $.2276; (3) the Tax Request for the Special Building Fund should be, and hereby is set at $.0210; and (4) the Tax Request for the Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund should be, and hereby is set at $.0520 for the Pender School District and its affiliate (Cuming County District #82). President Lander stated the motion and the result of roll call vote being all ayes, motion carried.
Mr. Sherwood shared with board members that he had received three requests recently for public records. Two of the requests were from Michael Groene and Mr. Sherwood explained that he had complied with the request following guidelines provided in state statute relating to requests for public records. The third request was from Norvin “Fuzz” Hansen for a breakdown of cost to the district for each employee by name. Mr. Sherwood explained that Mr. Hansen was unsure of what he planned to do with the data and that his request had been approved and the information had been given to him earlier today.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 11, 2006 at 8 p.m.
Moved by Simonsen, seconded by Fendrick to adjourn. President Lander stated the motion and the result of the vote being all ayes the meeting was adjourned at 9:47 p.m. by acclamation.
Secretary Recording Secretary
Larry Simonsen Barb Preston
.
