School Board okays budget; proposed calendar nixed

The Clear Lake School Board approved its 2014-15 budget Monday night, but tabled a decision on a proposed calendar for the next school year.

Taxpayers in the Clear Lake School District will see a drop of about 75-cents in the tax asking from the district during the next fiscal year.  Under the approved plan the rate will drop to $11.48 per $1,000 of assessed taxable property valuation.

The 2014-15 fiscal year budget shows $27.5 million in revenue and $22.9 in expenses, making the ending general fund balance $4.5 million.

Kristi Wick, of Hogan-Hansen, P.C., presented the Board with a favorable audit report.

According to the report, the district’s governmental revenue totaled $17,712 for the year ended June 30, 2013, a 1.2 percent increase from the prior year. Revenue included $9,344,920 in local tax, charges for service of $1,635,326, operating grants and contributions of $1,943,112, unrestricted interest of $33,057 and unrestricted state grants of $4,755,737.  Business-type activities revenue totaled $725,956.

Expenses for District governmental operations totaled $15,456,684, a 0.2 percent decrease from the prior year.

Wick said the audit revealed a few areas in which the district could take further steps to reduce chances for fraud, such as making more timely deposits of cash and enforcing the requirement to provide receipts for reimbursements.

Business Manager Lorna Leerer said the suggestions have been addressed.

Calendar options

A 2014-15 proposed calendar, using a 180 school-day schedule with the weekly Wednesday early-outs the District has used this school year was tabled.  

During the open forum portion of the meeting, Dr. Darron Jones encouraged the Board to schedule a meeting with parents and the community to discuss issues such as the weekly early dismissal plan, as well as the continued sharing - Read More Via e-Edition