The Rock Island Board of Education reviewed 2011-2012 budget information with updated figures from the state and federal level. This years local revenue up slightly, and state funds are up as well. Property taxes saw an increase due to EAV growth. Food service and interest income are down (economy driven) and there are no change in corporate taxes.
State revenue increased by $1.6 million. The district’s average daily attendance increased last year which means an increase in funds for the district. On the federal level, this is the second year of the job funding measure. The district’s ARRA funding ended, and there was a decrease in Title II and Title III funding as well.
Salary expenditures increased, which takes up 87% of the district’s budget. The district was able to keep health costs at bay due to a surplus in the Health Insurance Fund balance that is allowed to be used for those purposes. Previously grant funded positions for library paras and other para-professionals were absorbed into the budget this year, however some administrative positions were eliminated (due to attrition) and a Driver’s Ed Instruction position was eliminated. No new textbook adoptions are planned for this year, although there is money to replace. Supply expenditures are also down.
Mr. Beckwith anticipates an overall budget deficit of $970,000. The budget will be placed on file for 30 days and there will be a public hearing conducted at the Board of Education meeting on Sept. 13. View presentation (PDF) >>
Board Member Reports
Mr. Veasey attended the annual Rally at the Rock last Friday at the high school. There was a good turnout by students and the boosters cooked a lot of hot dogs. He thanked the Booster Club and Rock Island High School Principal Tim Wernentin for their efforts, it was a great event. Dr. Kim Armstrong attended the BIX Brady street sprints hill run on July 29. There were many great athletes at the races and the Rocky girls came in second place. The Rocky boys placed first in their event. She also attended the Martin Luther King Center family fun day. Ms. Linda Dothard attended King center family fun day as well. She also announced that on Aug 25 the NAACP will be hosting a meet and greet for the new RIHS principal, Tim Wernentin, at the King Center and she invited the community to attend the event. A flyer will be distributed with more information.
Superintendent Update
The Rock Island-Milan School District welcomed back students to school last week and he is glad to see the students back in school. So far there has been reported 5,806 enrollment, which is an increase of 117 students over last year at the same time. PreK and Head Start will return next week and the student population will go over 6,000. The English Language Learners (ELL) population continues to grow; currently there are 525 students enrolled, which is an increase of 59 students over the previous year.
Other items:
- Board of Education approved contract for Services for Write Tools (Heather Warakomski) to conduct two days of Roving Grade Level meetings and coaching at Earl Hanson Elementary School and the Rock Island Academy at a cost of $6,200.00.
- Board of Education approved the award of contract to West Maintenance, Inc., East Moline, IL, in the amount of $9,800.00 to relocate the playground equipment from Audubon School to Earl Hanson Elementary School. The project is grant funded.
- Board of Education approved to award a contract to Legacy Corp., Port Byron, IL, in the amount of $18,240.00 for sidewalk
replacement at Rock Island High School. - Reviewed revisions for Board Policies 1:10 School District Legal Status, 2:10 School District Governance, 2:125 Board Member Expenses, 3:10 Goals and Objectives – Rewritten, 3:70 Succession of Authority.
- Board of Education approved to ratify the contract between the Rock Island-Milan School District No. 41 and the Rock Island Educational Support Personnel Association for a one-year period of July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.
- Non-certified rehires and appointments Subash Bhattarai, Emmanuel Hakizimana, Holly Hott, Paw Htoo, Jessica Matherly, Niyonzima Roza, Kwizera Samson, Regine Uwimana, Jennifer Bowden and Tami Viernow as presented.
Tags: 2011-2012 budget, budget, enrollment