In a regular meeting that resembled final Jeopardy! in its brevity, the Watonga School Board heard a mostly positive report on the state of the district finances.
The general fund showed a month-end balance of $ 9.18 million, despite expenditures of $1.5 million. That included a repayment of ESSR – Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund – dollars that will be replaced by $1.5 million allocated to the district later in the fiscal year.
The building fund had a carryover of nearly $1.7 million and the gross production tax for the month was $220,385. Additionally, the valuation – the value placed on properties in the city by the assessor’s office – went up to around $19 million, which can equate to an additional $600,000 to the school budget.
In response to the bright financial reports, the board agreed to purchase a new, 20-ft long band trailer fitted out to hold 101 uniforms and a similar number of instruments. One of the district’s Chevy Suburbans will change from fleet use to a designated pulling vehicle. The cost of the new trailer is $38,753. Board president Aaron Clewell said the current band trailer was in use when he was in middle school, although he did not indicate what year that was.
The band asked for and received permission to take an out of state overnight trip to San Antonio, Texas in the spring, provided they fund the trip themselves. They must also find a place to perform while traveling.
The planned trip made board member Dr. Dwight McGee ask about the status of the district’s board member Dr. Dwight McGee ask about the status of the district’s activity buses. Hilterbran said they were in adequate shape for such a trip, but the time was coming for a change.
“It’s time to get serious about replacing the activity buses,” Hilterbran said. He also said the district might consider the purchase of some new Suburbans, to replace the aging ones in the fleet.
The board also approved the district's estimate of needs, a yearly requirement sent to the state auditor. The district cannot spend more than the estimate indicates. This year’s ceilings are $19.5 million in the general fund, $2.1 million in the building fund and $796,000 in child nutrition.
The district also approved a $1.3 million payment to the bond debt, the first of the payments on the bond floated to build the new structures at both the elementary and high school campuses. The elementary school cafeteria is expected to be put into service when students return from fall break.
The board was also quick to approve $1,000 stipends for all support staff members in the district. These employees were not covered by the state-mandated pay raise given to educators this year.