East Valley budget gets green light
When Superintendent Michael Jones came to East Valley School District three years ago, there was only about $300,000 in the budget for a rainy day.
On Tuesday night, he grinned as hard work and due diligence paid off, and the East Valley school board unanimously voted to adopt a nearly $36 million budget with a $2.2 million reserve fund balance.
“I think ($300,000) was a little too squeaky,” Jones said.
“We’ve managed our finances well … and I think we can pat ourselves on the back,” he told the board.
East Valley, like many school districts, has continued to struggle with declining enrollment, increased expenses and declining state funding.
Revenue in the district has been on a steady decline the last three years, the budget shows. General fund revenue went from $33 million in 2002-‘03, to just under $32 million this year.
To cut costs, East Valley sent layoff notices to 12 teachers in May, but was able to hire all but four back, said Dale McLaughlin, manager of human resources for the district. One of the 12 teachers resigned, and the four teachers not rehired are all temporarily employed with the district as substitute teachers.
Eighty-five percent of the budget goes to staff salaries and benefits, and 15 percent to operations and materials. Jones said the district increased its fund balance about $500,000 this year.
About $3 million of the current budget is earmarked for debt service funds, to pay back interest on loan and bond obligations, and $679,450 for the associated student body funds.
The district also set aside $400,500 for the transportation vehicle fund that includes the purchase of six new buses over the course of the year. Three of those buses will be bought with cash on hand, and three others with proceeds from a loan previously approved by the board.
In other business, the board adopted a resolution that would include the study of world history by ninth- and 10th-graders. The district did not previously teach the subject.
“Funds have allowed us curriculum adoption that was badly needed … to meet state standards,” said Jan Beauchamp, assistant superintendent for academic affairs.
The resolution includes the purchase of new technologically savvy textbooks and materials.