District Business Manager Joe Prom presented the 2013 proposed levy to the board which totaled $6,992,808, which is $672,338 less than the previous levy of $7,665,146, a decrease of 8.77 percent. (See chart on page 16 for complete levy breakdown).

 

In the general fund, as shown on the chart, the overall change is a decrease of $343,359 (8.94 percent), while the Community Ed. fund increased by $3,510 (1.71 percent) and the debt service fund showed a decrease of $332,489 (9.19%).

 

Other changes included a decrease in operating referendum levies of $1,006,305, offset by increases in other aid including an increase of $679,929 in equity levies added per state statute.  A statute-added student achievement levy was $73,093, with reduction in general education aid corresponding.  The operating capital levy decreased by $81,582, the integration levy decreased by $28,325 (with corresponding loss of $65,000 in aid), and all other levies combined decreased by $19,831.

 

Levy amounts are determined first by the Legislature, which sets formulas to determine levy limits.  The MN Dept. of Education calculates levy limits for each district based on those formulas.  Local boards of education adopt their proposed levy in September each year, and the final levy approved in December cannot exceed that total without voter approval, Prom said.

 

Prom also said that the district is applying for 100 per cent of the available levy and that, due to the statutes involved, the district would lose state aid if it did not apply for the maximum amount available.

 

The full version of the levy presentation is available on-line at the district website under the school board meeting packet entry.  Residents with specific levy questions can contact Joe Prom, Director of Business Services on-line at: jprom@becker.k12.mn.us, or by telephone at (763) 261-4502.  Residents with questions regarding property values can contact the Sherburne County Assessor’s office on-line at assessor@co.sherburne.mn.us, or by telephone at (763) 241-2880.

 

Following the discussion, the board voted unanimously to approve the levy as proposed.

The 2013-14 budget of all funds showed an audited balance as of 6/30/13 of $23,388,526, with revenues of $29,911,550, expenditures of $43,831,416, and “other” financing sources of $170,000 resulting in a variance of a negative $13,749,866 and a projected ending fund balance as of 6/30/14 of $8,638,660.  (See other attached chart.)

 

 

Superintendent Dr. Stephen Malone informed the board that Becker High School has been renewed as an Apple Distinguished School through 2015, a two-year designation.  The award citation states that BHS has “shown that they demonstrate the five best practices of an Apple Distinguished School: visionary leadership, innovative learning and teaching, ongoing professional learning, compelling evidence of success and a flexible learning environment.”

 

A formal presentation will be made by representatives of Apple ® Inc. at a future board meeting, Malone said.

 

 

Board member Bryan Olson reported that the Activities Committee is currently studying a fund-raising proposal that would involve individuals joining a buying club organization which would pay a percentage of sales proceeds to the school district. The program has been successful in other states, Olson said, and would be the first such organization in Minnesota if approved.

 

Olson also reported on the proposed formation of a trap shooting league at the school.  Students would visit a shooting range under supervision of an accredited firearms instructor, and would compete in the various disciplines of the sport.  There would be no firearms brought into the school at any time, he said, and the proposed program would be funded by outside sponsors at no cost to the school district.

 

Contract negotiations with the Becker Education Association remain on-going, Olson reported, and the contract committee had met with union representatives and state mediators in November.  Another meeting is scheduled for February with the same individuals.

 

BEA is seeking a 9.5 per cent increase over two years, while the district offer is 3.5 percent for 2013-15.

 

The board voted to accept a number of gifts to the district, including the following:  Clear Lake Lions Club, $1,000 for community education/Becker Senior Citizens Group; Liberty Paper Inc., $2,500 to the robotics program expenses; Mary Jo Cobb, $50 to the high school musical; Packaging Corp. of America, $249 to community education/Becker Senior Citizens Group, and the Sherburne State Bank, $250 to the robotics program expenses.

 

Student government representative Kendra Buettner reported that the student council plans to show the movie Elf Tues., Dec. 17, and will also be selling popcorn to raise funds for a project to provide for families in need over the Christmas season.  A classroom door decorating contest is also in the works, she said.