The Becker School Board met Monday to discuss winter school closings,the governor’s budget proposal, donations, the 2020 general fund budget, strategic planning and two referendas.
Winter Closures
Supt. Stephen Malone said a legislative conference committee has agreed on legislation pertaining to winter weather closures for schools this year.
Gov. Walz is expected to sign the bill.
The legislation waives the minimum 165 days of instruction for this year. However, Malone says the Becker school calendar scheduled 173 days of instruction and closed on five days due to inclement weather. So, the legislation is not relevant to Becker’s school district.
Budget Proposal
The Governor’s revised budget proposal would provide general education formula increases 3% for fiscal year 2020 and 2% for fiscal year 2021. Malone says it also provides a significant funding increase for special education.
The house ways and means committee is expected to adopt a budget resolution by April 12 that will at least match the Governor’s budget, Malone says. The Senate GOP majority will soon announce the framework of its budget plan, which is expected to be less than 2% on the formula for each of the two years of the biennium.
General Fund Budget
Malone said at the board meeting last month, the board approved the 2020 general fund budget including reducing expenses by $75,000. Malone suggested the following budget reductions:
• Contracted Services ($6,685);
• 0.5 FTE Custodian ($24,000);
• Capital budget ($10,000);
• Walk-A-Thon (revenue increase) ($10,000);
• 2.5 hours para ($7,000);
• 2.75 hours secretary ($13,000);
• Replace 0.5 FTE certified math interventionist with four hour para and IXL ($20,000);
• Supply budget ($5,000).
These amounts total $95,685.
Strategic Planning
Malone says the next step in the strategic planning process is for each school board member to complete the Pairmatrix ranking of the top ideas.
“I will send each board member the link and credentials,” said Malone. “We will take time at the meeting to be sure each board member can log in to complete the Pairmatrix ranking."
Malone said board members are asked to complete the Pairmatrix by April 12.
The school board’s Pairmatrix results will be used to determine which ideas are categorized by exit outcome. The results also determine the top ideas, which will be prioritized in setting goals.
Two Referenda
The two referenda approved by voters in 2009 will expire after 2020. Malone says both referenda should be renewed in November of 2019.
• Capital Projects Referendum (1.834% of net tax capacity) generates an annual revenue of $494,215. Malone said Kevin Januszewski and he recommend this referendum be renewed at the same dollar amount resulting in no tax increases;
• Operating Referendum $415 per pupil unit generates annual revenue of $1,240,804.
Januszewski and Malone projected interactive spreadsheets to show the impact of different per pupil operating referendum amounts on the district’s 10-year general fund balance projection. It was suggested the school board determine the amount of the per pupil operating referendum for renewing this ballot question.
Donations
The school board accepted eight gifts to the robotics program in the amount of $4,200.
Becker Education Association gave $500; Burau Homes gave $250; Destination Vacation gave $250; Long Haul Trucking gave $1,000; Manufacturing Partners, Inc. gave $500; Monticello Agency gave $250; Sherburne State Bank gave $500 and Tiller Corp. gave $1,000.
Up Next
The next Becker School Board meeting is May 6 at 6:30 p.m.