Unatego Budget 2016-17.indd - Unatego Central School District

UNATEGO
District Newsletter
www.unatego.org
Volume 31, Number 2
Budget Issue, May 2016
2016- 2017 Proposed Budget
PUBLIC HEARING
BUDGET VOTE
Monday, May 9, 2016
6:30 p.m.
MS/HS Board Room
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
12:00 Noon to 9:00 p.m.
Unatego Middle/High School
INFORMATIONAL
MEETINGS
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
7:00 p.m.
Unadilla Elementary Cafeteria
Thursday, May 5, 2016
7:00 p.m.
Otego Elementary Gym
UNUSED SNOW DAYS
There will be no school
for students on
Friday, May 27.
Unatego Central School
2641 STATE HIGHWAY 7, PO BOX 483
OTEGO, NEW YORK 13825-9795
www.unatego.org
(607) 988-5038
Dear Parents and Community Members,
For the second year in a row, we are proud to present a budget that decreases annual expenditures while maintaining
programs for students. Over the past several years, the District has undertaken many measures to contain costs. As our
enrollment continues to decline, we have worked hard to right-size our staff while still providing our students with an
exceptional instructional program. We continue to provide Advanced Placement and college credit courses at the high
school level, where our graduation rate last year was 95%! Student achievement at the Middle School is much improved,
and, in fact, all four of our buildings are now considered “schools in good standing” with the State of New York.
After hard work on the part of our staff, administration, and school board, we are able to present a spending plan
where expenses actually went down by $68,000.00, while maintaining current programs. We were able to do this despite
a tax cap limit of only .29% and an increase in state aid of 2.7%. We continue to enjoy efficiencies generated from “right
sizing” our staff to match current and projected enrollments, sharing services with other districts when possible, and
generally keeping expenses to a minimum.
Over the past several years, Unatego has been forced to spend down its reserves and fund balance to the point where
we were left with nearly none. This has put us in a state of moderate fiscal stress, according to the NY State Comptroller, and one of their recommendations was to build up our fund balance and create reserves to have on hand for future
emergencies or planned events. In an effort to be more proactive and to plan for the future, we are proposing the creation
and funding of three reserves: a capital reserve to save for future building and maintenance projects, a repair reserve to
provide for unexpected repairs, and an employee retirement reserve to ready us for future increases in retirement costs.
These reserves will not be funded through increased taxes but rather funds already accrued over the past two years
through efficiency programs and other cost saving measures.
Over the past two years, we have significantly lowered our health insurance costs by negotiating a less expensive plan
with our bargaining units. Retirement system costs have declined as well. We are sharing a business official through
DCMO BOCES and have contracted with a private firm to perform maintenance on our school buses. We continue to
explore other cost savings wherever possible.
The 2016-2017 Unatego School Budget, as proposed, lowers total expenses for the second year in a row, while keeping
the tax levy increase at .29%, staying under the state imposed tax cap.
We remain committed to providing our students with the best education possible while keeping spending increases
to a minimum. Please come out and vote for one board member, on the proposition to establish reserve account, and on
the proposed budget. If you have any questions, please contact Superintendent Richards or any Board Member.
Sincerely, On behalf of the Board of Education,
David S. Richards, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Rene’ Treffeisen, President
Jay McDermott, Vice President
Richard Downey
Dr. Florian Reyda
Kathy Stockert
James Salisbury
Brenda McEntee
2
Unatego Central School
Board of Education
Renè Treffeisen
President
Richard Downey
Jay McDermott
James Salisbury
Brenda McEntee
Kathy Stockert
Dr. Florian Reyda
Vice President
Administration
Dr. David Richards, Superintendent
Marilyn Klie, Otego Elementary Principal
Julie Lambiaso, High School Principal
Patricia Hoyt, Middle School Principal
Marki Clair-O’Rourke, Director of Special Education
Katherine Mazourek, Unadilla Elementary Principal
Brian Trask, Transportation Director/Computer Coordinator/Buildings & Grounds
Kim Corcoran, BOCES Food Service Director
Budget Presentation
The development, review, and consideration of the 2016-2017 Unatego Central School budget was
completed with a detailed review of the revenue and expenditure items that make up the budget. This
was done within the context of the District’s mission, goals, and financial policies.
We are proud to publish and disseminate budget information to our community. We welcome the
opportunity to present and discuss our plans and related financial impact with all concerned parties.
Interaction among interested groups consistently leads to educational improvements which become
available to our students.
Our most important concern in the presentation of budget data is to provide information to our community
about the District’s educational programs and services for the 2016-2017 school year and how the
budget supports these programs and services. The material in this document includes information that
has been suggested by the Board of Education, community members, and staff. A line item budget is
available at each school building and online at Unatego.org. Copies are available for inspection at the
Otego and Unadilla Public Libraries. Questions regarding the budget should be directed to Dr. David
Richards, Superintendent (988-5038).
Budget Process and Significant Change
The budget process commenced with the development of the student enrollment forecast for the 20162017 school year. These forecasts predict our enrollment for next year will be about 865 students.
This is a decrease of 15 students from the current year. The forecast of enrollments and the needs of
our students are how we decide to best allocate staff and resources.
Unatego Central School
3
The following schedule presents a comparison of the proposed expenditures
for 2015-2016 and the 2016-2017 budgets.
2016-2017 Budget
$22,045,959
Object
Salaries
Benefits
Equipment
Contractual Items
Materials & Supplies
Tuition
Textbooks
BOCES Services
Debt Service
Inter-fund transfers
Total General Fund Expenditures
2015-2016 Budget
$22,114,446
2016-2017 Proposed Budget
$8,094,705
4,851,000
84,500
1,179,800
653,600
560,000
69,000
3,873,833
2,599,521
80,000
$22,045,959
% Decrease
(0.31%)
2015-2016 Budget
$8,184,107
4,721,593
68,000
830,140
865,330
400,000
68,000
3,821,195
3,126,081
30,000
$22,114,446
% Change
-1.09%
2.74%
24.26%
42.12%
-24.47%
40.00%
1.47%
1.38%
-16.84%
166.67%
-0.31%
Analysis of the Proposed Budget
The education of students is a labor intensive enterprise that is reflected in the personnel costs. The
workforce of the district is determined by the staffing policies and guidelines of the Board on the basis of
projected student enrollment and curriculum requirements. Personnel costs are based on conditions of
employment established by collective bargaining agreements. For the 2016-2017 school year, salaries
and fringe benefits as budgeted account for 58.72% of expenditures. A summary schedule of operating
expenditures by object (expenditure category) is presented in the following chart.
4
Unatego Central School
Resources to Support Operations
The financial support for district operated programs and services are substantially derived from state sources and the
property tax. We project an increase in State Aid of $2,025 for the 2016-2017 School Year. The tax levy will increase by
$20,511. This represents an increase of 0.29%, which is our tax levy limit.
Object
2016-2017 Proposed Budget
2015-2016 Budget
% Change
State Sources
$14,231,770
14,307,725
-0.53%
Local Sources
657,546
665,589
-1.21%
35,000
40,000
-12.5%
Federal Sources
Tax Levy
7,121,643
7,101,132
0.29%
Inter-fund Transfers
0
0
0%
Appropriated Fund Balance
0
0
0%
$ 22,045,959
$ 22,114,446
-0.31%
Total Anticipated Revenues
School and District Report Cards
School and District Report Cards are produced to inform the people of New York State about the performance of public
schools and districts. School and District Report Cards for Unatego can be viewed by following the link on our Board of
Education page on the Unatego School website, Unatego.org.
Board Candidates
The term of James McDermott will expire on June 30, 2016. Running for the open seat is James McDermott, as a write-in
candidate.
The Three Part Budget
Chapter 436 of the Laws of 1997 requires school districts to divide the budget into an administrative component, a program
component, and a capital component. The Budget must also categorize revenues, and compare the proposed budget to the
previous year. A detailed, line item budget may be viewed at one of our school buildings or on the Unatego website, Unatego.org.
Unatego Central School
5
Revenue Breakdown
2016-17 Estimated Revenues
2015-16 Budget
Change
$10,000
84,000
4,000
500
0
431,666
3,000
26,400
559,566
$10,000
84,000
8,000
7,000
2,500
531,089
3,000
0
645,589
$0
0
(4,000)
(6,500)
(2,500)
(99,423)
0
26,400
(112,423)
10,855,747
1,863,188
1,500,000
90,815
14,309,750
10,981,636
1,874,797
1,422,264
92,028
14,307,725
(62,889)
(11,609)
77,736
(1,213)
(2,025)
35,000
35,000
40,000
40,000
(5,000)
(5,000)
Appropriated Fund Balance
0
0
0
Employee Benefits Liability Reserve
0
0
0
Inter-fund Transfers - Debt Service
0
0
0
7,121,643
20,000
7,141,643
7,101,132
20,000
7,121,132
20,511
0
20,511
$22,045,959
$22,114,446
($68,487)
(0.31%)
Source of Funds
Local Sources
Admissions & Fees
After School Program Fees
Tuition
Interest & Earnings
Sale of Equipment/Excess Material
Refunds of Prior Year’s Expenses
Other Sources
Bus Garage Lease
Total Local Sources
State Sources
Basic Formula Aid
Excess Cost Aid
BOCES Aid
Software, Library, Textbook Aid ,
Total State Sources
Federal Sources
Medicaid Reimbursement
Total Federal Sources
Real Property Tax Items
Tax Levy
Interest & Penalties
Total Real Property Tax Items
TOTAL ESTIMATED REVENUES
Overall Budget Percentage Increase:
6
Unatego Central School
Expenditure Breakdown
2016-2017 Estimated Expenditures 2015-2016 Budget
Name of Account
Board of Education
Central Administration
Finance
Staff
Central Services
Special Items
Administration and Improvement
Employee Benefits
TOTAL ADMINISTRATIVE COMPONENT
Staff
Inservice
Teaching
Special Services
Instructional Support
Instructional Media
Pupil Personnel Services
Pupil Transportation
Community Services
Inter-fund Transfers
Capital Outlay
Employee Benefits
TOTAL PROGRAM COMPONENT
Operation of Plant
Maintenance of Plant
Debt Service
Employee Benefits
TOTAL CAPITAL COMPONENT
TOTAL BUDGET
Overall Budget Percentage Increase:
Unatego Central School
Change
$14,100
178,031
372,690
98,197
644,369
642,162
559,315
442,411
2,951,275
$15,010
173,202
365,680
107,748
669,500
611,367
677,820
482,547
3,102,874
$(910)
4,829
7,010
(9,551)
(25,131)
30,795
(118,505)
(40,136)
(151,599)
12,500
11,880
4,773,659
3,712,320
536
494,066
755,799
1,075,116
86,000
30,000
50,000
4,136,933
15,138,809
12,500
23,000
4,792,156
3,397,654
1,000
559,414
725,261
802,216
88,800
30,000
0
3,985,024
14,417,025
0
(11,120)
(18,497)
314,666
(464)
(65,348)
30,538
272,900
(2,800)
0
50,000
151,909
721,784
988,700
96,000
2,599,521
271,654
3,955,875
1,118,437
96,007
3,126,081
254,022
4,594,547
(129,737)
(7)
(526,560)
17,632
(638,672)
$22,045,959
$22,114,446
($68,487)
(0.31%)
7
CURRENT RESIDENT OR
ECRWSS
POSTAL PATRON
Annual District Budget Vote and
Election of Members to the Board of Education
Unatego Jr./Sr. High School
2641 State Highway 7
Otego, NY
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Hours of Voting: 12:00-9:00 p.m.
Voting Qualifications
For the May 17, 2016 Budget Referendum
In order to vote, a person must fufill all of the following requirements:
1. Be a citizen of the United States.
2. Be at least 18 years of age.
3. Be a resident within the district for a period of at least 30 days preceding the meeting at which
he/she offers to vote.
DCMO BOCES Printing Service
Non-Prof it Org.
U.S. Post age
PAID
Norwich, NY
13815
Permit No. 18
Unatego Central School District
2641 State Highway 7
Otego, New York 13825