 Those present at the meeting were Jim Mammen, board president;
Darrel Vermeire, board vice president; Reatha Owen, board secretary;
board members Jim Allen, Mark Aughton and Marianne Krusz; Robert
Bagby, LCHS superintendent; Rhonda Hyde, vice principal; and Bret
Hitchings, LTEC director.The tax rate
Bagby recalled that the school board previously made a promise to
lower the tax rate by more than 5 cents. This offer was made when
the school asked voters to approve a 1 percent sales tax for the
school capital projects. Bagby wanted to emphasize that this was
accomplished.
The rate was lowered from 2.32500 to 2.27103. "Not only did we
lower our tax rate almost 5 1/2 cents this year, we are the
second-lowest tax rate in the entire area," said Bagby. LCHS is
second in that regard to West Lincoln-Broadwell.
Balancing the budget
The board approved 6:45 p.m. on Aug. 20 as the time for a budget
hearing for the 2012 school year.
While looking at the school's financial profile, Bagby noted that
expenses of the educational fund were down this year over last year.
The expenses were almost $222,000 less than last year. Incoming
revenue was also lower than last year; by over $556,000.
Bagby elaborated further that from the projected $7,433,433 in
expenditures for education purposes, just over $6 million will be
salaries and benefits. The projected total revenue for this year is
$7,810,644.
"I want you (to) be aware that we balanced this year in all
funds, despite having almost half a million dollars less in income
this year than last year," Bagby told the board. He predicts there
will still be a balanced budget.
Employee health insurance and benefits
The first financial topic of the meeting was the health insurance
rate for the employees of LCHS. The rate will be increasing by 12.35
percent. The board also voted to continue business with Health
Alliance as the insurance provider for the school.
Jim Mammen went on to explain just how the insurance rate is
determined: "We put so much (money) into the insurance pool every
year. Our insurance provider gives us a quote. If the LCHS union and
administration and the board agree, then those prices are adopted,"
he said.
Should there be excess left over in the pool; the remainder is
split up among the employees.
Bagby addressed the various tiers of benefits offered to
employees at LCHS. Staff members who are single benefactors and
those with a spouse or children receive free benefits, based on past
years' insurance pools. Those who have family insurance pay into the
pool. Bagby confirmed that the planned budget will accommodate the
rate increase.
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Referring to the insurance benefits, Mammen said they're "a big
plus of being an employee at Lincoln Community High School."
Buying a new bus
The transportation fund also came up during the meeting. Bagby
reported that the fund had a surplus of around $26,000.
Unfortunately, there is not much to be done with the money.
The idea was raised that the school could buy a third activity
bus for the school. While a brand-new bus would be too expensive,
the district could lease or buy a used bus, depending on the cost.
But there is a problem that arises if a bus is bought: Who will
drive it?
"The law has changed. Gov. Quinn has signed (a law) where now
these white activity buses can be used to transport students on a
field trip. However, the driver must have a bus driver's
endorsement," said Bagby.
As a result, there are not enough qualified people to drive a new
bus. The easiest option to solve this issue is to share drivers with
another district; that idea was brought to the board.
Aside from the possible lack of a driver, the school is in no
dire need for another bus. The buses they have are maintained well,
so a third bus is not necessary. Furthermore, the activity schedule
is not so full as to need one. The benefit of a third bus would be
to provide the school with a rotation of vehicles to reduce the
chance of vehicles breaking down. Should the board not buy a bus,
they will have to wait a year and see what funding they have for
transportation then.
For now, the board decided to examine their options further, and
no permanent decision was made at the meeting.
Student tuition
The board moved to approve the student tuition and fees for two
students living in Hartsburg. Shelby and Ashley Lessen, a senior and
an incoming freshman, respectively, were approved for the billing.
[By DEREK HURLEY] |
