School Finance - Week 3 Assignment, Part 4

Our district has a total student population of approximately 3750 with one 4A high school campus. Our property values are healthy and have continued to increase at a normal rate for our area, even through the recent economic recession. However, only approximately 20% of our district’s tax base comes from industry. Consequently, though property values are good, our district is not a “wealthy” one.

The 2010/2011 district’s refined ADA was 3442.620 with a WADA of 4624.619. The local district property value (DPV) is $887,708, 523. Our M & O tax rate is 1.04 (down from 1.5 over the last five years), making our M & O tax collections $8,514,220.

Other funds, provided from Tier I allotments, include monies from regular education ($16,495,725), special education ($3,282,133), career and technology ($1,538,266), compensatory education ($1,326,043), bilingual education ($27,352), transportation ($391,240), and high school allotment ($301,103). The sum of our Tier I allotment funding totals $23,471,861. In addition, our Foundation School Fund adds $14,116,628 to our revenue.

Since much of the M & O funding comes from state allotments and other state funding, the funds are designated for specific use. In addition, the state regulates the percentage of revenue that must be spent on curriculum and instruction. Designated spending does not include the maintenance or construction of facilities. As a result, many of our district’s facilities have become inadequate and difficult to maintain. A bond will be required to provide the funding needed to bring those facilities up-to-date.

Though we would not be considered a “poor” district, we are certainly not a “wealthy” one. We have maintained a healthy fund balance through proactive decisions made over the past several years. We are fortunate to have leaders who have been excellent custodians of our resources. As most districts throughout the state, we have made cuts in programs and personnel. However, these cuts were made with the determination to minimize negative impact on students’ success. Also, with the exception of a few paraprofessional positions, personnel cuts were made by attrition.