Van Buren schools enrollment drop means $380,000 less state aid

The Van Buren Community School Board discussed budgeting issues and possible building plans at its work session Jan. 11.

The financial challenge facing the district is not as great as it has been in years past, according to superintendent Lisa Beames.

Two years ago, the board closed the Birmingham Daycare, and last year, the district closed the Stockport attendance center.

This year, the district is dealing with a financial problem that is much smaller than those times, Beames said.

?It won?t be anything like last year,? she said

?The main thing is the enrollment drop we experienced this year,? Beames said. ?We lost 54.8 students (on the weighted count). State aid per child is approximately $6,000, which means a loss of $380,000 in state aid due to the lost students.?

The district also is facing a jump in the IPERS contribution, insurance, materials and other expenses. Although the school was able to eliminate two bus routes by moving the middle school, the high price of gas and diesel fuel is eating into the budget.

?Gas is killing us right now,? Beames said.

A big unknown is what will happen with negotiations, she said.

On the plus side, the district estimates that it will have around 2 percent allowable growth from the state.

?We also have a good reserve, which we didn?t have in the previous rounds of budget cuts,? Beames said. ?The balances are right where they need to be.?

Currently, the district has $2.24 million in its general fund as of Dec. 31, 2011, according to the secretary?s financial statement given to the board at its regular meeting this week. It has $1.9 million in its schoolhouse fund, which is used for capital projects, debt services, physical plant and equipment.

Still, because of the large decrease in enrollment, the district will have to make plans, she said.

Beames said the board took no action, but considered general recommendations.

?We will probably do something in the February meeting or at a special meeting in February,? she said.

The board discussed projected tax rate options for 2012-2013, consideration of the 33-cent PPEL, acceptable cash reserves and filling of retired positions.

The board also discussed its options on possible building projects. At last month?s meeting, a consultant presented several ideas and costs, which will be paid from the schoolhouse fund.

Options considered at the Jan. 11 meeting included a new extra-curricular practice facility at Keosauqua, plumbing and heating upgrades and new roofs. The consultant also gave cost estimates for several building projects. No action was taken.