Recap of Tonight's Board Meeting: Canvassing the Election Results, Discussion of Academies and Pathways, FY2009 Budget Parameters, and Interim Legislative Priorities

Our Board held a workshop tonight.  Here's a recap of the issues discussed and actions taken on tonight's Agenda:

First, we approved an Order canvassing the returns and declaring the results of the November 6 Bond Election.  The final results from the election were 9,209 For and 6,048 Against.

Next, we had a presentation and discussion on the portion of the District's Five Year Education Plan regarding the implementation of Academies and Pathways.  Additional study and work will continue in this area for the next several months.

We then discussed the parameters for the District's FY2009 Budget (school year 2008-2009).  As with the discussion last year, next year's budget outlook is bleak.  As regular readers of this Blog know, the State Legislature failed to include any additional funds for purely inflationary cost increases (including increases in energy and health insurance cost increases and cost of living salary increases).  As a result, our initial estimated budget carries a deficit of $13 million.  In addition, our Robin Hood payment skyrockets to $26 million which will represent our second largest expense (after payroll) and 13¢ out of every dollar of your taxes.

Our next agenda item was the discussion of the District's Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the Year Ended June 30, 2007.  The District received a clean bill of health on its finances with no reportable discrepancies.

Next, we discussed the Board's Interim Legislative Priorities.

Dr. Klussmann then provided the Board with an update on the implementation of the 2007 Bond Plan.

The Board considered on second reading BF (Local) Board Policies.

Finally, the Board approved the Superintendent's Evaluation Instrument.