NL School District reports fair finances for 2015-2016 year

BY BRYCE KELLY

Mt. Pleasant News

NEW LONDON ? A look at fiscal year 2015-2016 financial reports didn?t show any major concerns for the New London School District, which means the district is in fair standing entering into the current year and all the major work projects it entails.

Prior to the New London School Board?s regular meeting Monday night, the board also held it?s annual meeting and organizational meeting to choose officers. At the top of their list was a look at the certified annual financial report for fiscal year 2016, and according to board secretary/treasurer, Jessica Boyer, the district is looking alright.

?Our beginning balance for the 2015-2016 school year?s general fund was $736,525.12, and we ended the school year with $762,434.38,? said Boyer. ?And keep in mind that the 2015-2016 school year was the year we received money that represented our drop in enrollment. So to hold together like we did and maintain balances like we did, we did really, really well. Especially when you look and see that we gained in our general fund.?

Boyer went on to say that while budgets are a sore subject for many school districts at the moment, she applauded the board?s diligence in keeping budgeting concerns and spending in mind as they move through their various board business.

Looking at accounts dedicated to work projects, Boyer turned the board?s attention to the district?s PERL Fund, which had a beginning balance of $229,328.20 for the 2015-2016 school year.

?At the end of the year, which was June 30, we ended up with a balance of $255,919.84, and that is all devoted to the track,? she said. ?And that is also a significant gain as you can see.?

Local option sales tax (LOST) funds, which are used to pay back the school?s sales revenue bonds and for any building repairs and maintenance that may pop up over the year, also gained some ground. The fund began at $466,430.52, and ended at $504,917.46.

As to accounts that lost funds, the school?s PPEL Fund, which is earmarked for technology expenses, began the 2015-2016 school year at $217.028.74, and ended at $183,196.36.

?We did lose some there, but keep in mind that our Apple lease expenses will not be coming up this year, so that will be mostly left alone to grow for the 2016-2017 year, and used later for new Chromebooks and so on,? said Boyer.

Moving on to a look at the district?s special education supplement, Boyer reported that overall, special education is hard to budget and pinpoint from year to year.

?We never know what kids are going to come in year to year needing, and what our current special education students? needs are going to be as that often changes, so even putting a budget on special education is a real challenge,? she said. ?However, we did end up in a positive scenario in 2015-2016.?

Finally, before wrapping up the annual financial report, Boyer also reported that the district?s transportation report showed some savings compared to last year. The school reported spending less on fuel than last year and ended the 2015-2016 year with total operating expenses at $216,578.65.

After wrapping up the annual financial report, the board moved on to appointing officers. After Monday night?s vote, the board approved Lindsay Porter as board president; Travis Benz as board vice president; Skye Wellington as the Henry County Conference Board Officer; Shane Mettler as the voting delegate to the IASB Delegate Assembly; and Jessica Boyer as the board secretary and treasurer.

For more on Monday night?s New London School Board meeting, read Wednesday?s edition of the Mt. Pleasant News.