Due to the projected enrollment for 2016-2017, the Cambridge-Isanti School Board is considering a 1.0 full-time equivalent reduction for next year.
During the Cambridge-Isanti School Board meeting Thursday, March 24, the board approved the 2016-2017 preliminary budget assumptions as presented by Director of Finance and Operations Kris Crocker.
Regarding the general fund budget assumptions for 2016-2017, Crocker presented the following information:
• Enrollment projections, 4,750.
• Employee contracts: Eight currently open.
• General Education revenue: 2 percent increase.
• Total increase on expenditures: 2.6 percent.
• Class size ranges continue at current level. A 1.0 full-time equivalent reduction is assumed due to enrollment.
• Federal grant revenue and expenditures are expected to continue at current level.
• State special education revenue is assumed at the current level.
Class sizes are expected to remain between 20 to 22 students for kindergarten; 22 to 24 students for first-through third-grade; 24 to 26 students for fourth-through fifth-grade; 26 to 28 students for sixth-grade; 28 to 30 students for seventh-through eighth-grade; and 30 students for the high school classes.
Crocker outlined the following priorities:
• Student behavioral instructional assistant at Isanti Intermediate, $26,854.
• Student behavioral instructional assistant at Cambridge Intermediate, $26,854.
• Student behavioral instructional assistant at Cambridge Primary, $26,854.
• Two special education due process clerks, $69,766.
• Robotics, $10,000.
• Marching Band, $10,000.
• Compass Learning, Cambridge-Isanti High School, $15,000.
• Substitute custodial funding, $24,500.
• Seasonal grounds workers, four part-time workers, $13,500.
• Chemical health professional, .50 full-time equivalent, $34,000.
Crocker explained strategic plan costs for fiscal year 2016-2017 are $34,235 less than the costs that are within the fiscal year 2015-2016 budget, providing a cost savings. She also noted the bus and van budget for fiscal year 2016-2017 is $530,000, which provides a cost savings of $50,000. The district is expected to replace five buses during fiscal year 2016-2017.
Crocker explained general fund total expenditures is estimated at $51 million, with the unrestricted fund balance estimated at $6.36 million. She explained the unrestricted fund balance represents 12.5 percent of the budget, and is set per board policy. She also noted Safe Schools Funds will pay for .025 full-time equivalent for the chemical health professional.
Superintendent Ray Queener noted the $10,000 set aside for the marching band and the $10,000 set aside for Robotics covers the salaries for the coaches. The remaining necessary funding will be raised through fundraising activities.
In other action the Board:
• Heard a statement from Laura Fredenburg, an instructional assistant in Cambridge-Isanti Schools. Fredenburg explained she was a long-time employee of the district and a member of the local SEIU 284 that consists of instructional assistants-paraprofessionals, building and grounds and food service workers. Fredenburg said children have clean and safe schools, healthy meals and a healthy educational environment because of the work they do. Fredenburg encouraged the district to find a way to improve the wages and health insurance contributions for all of the members of SEIU 284. Several members of the union were also in attendance at the meeting.
• Approved a motion to adopt the resolution full parameter crossover refunding series 2016D Bonds. Refunding of the bonds is expected to save the district a minimum of $2.75 million. Crocker explained this is a savings on debt service, which is a direct savings to the taxpayers.
• Approved a motion to adopt the resolution on Parent Advisory Committee for American Indian Education. This will allow for elements of the American Indian culture to be embedded in some of the curriculum areas along with supplemental cultural experiences made available to this demographic of students during both the school year and summer months.
• Approved a trip to Washington, D.C. from March 31 through April 2 for Isanti Middle and Cambridge Middle school students organized through WorldStrides Tours. Currently 47 students are registered for the trip. Total cost per student is $1,200 with some of the cost of the trip paid through fundraising, with the balance paid for by the families.
• Approved a research trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands for June 13-26, 2017. Currently there are 12 students registered for the trip. Total cost per student is $3,500 with some of the cost of the trip paid through fundraising, with the balance paid for by the families. There are former students, present students and future college biology students signed up for the trip.
• Approved a request for membership into the International Thespian Society.
• Approved the negotiated administrative assistant contract for 2015-2017. The contract calls for a 2.75 percent salary increase for 2015-2016, and a 2.35 percent salary increase for 2016-2017. There were also increases to health insurance contributions.
• Approved a memorandum of understanding for Kerri Schibilla to serve as interim director of transportation from March 4, 2016 through April 29, 2016.