No kindergarten fee -- for now
By RYAN CHRISTNER
For at least the first half of the new school year, kindergarten in Hays will continue to be free for all children, the Board of Education decided Monday night.
The fiscal year 2010 budget, estimated at about $41.5 million, also was approved for publication.
In front of a larger-than-normal crowd, which needed a special seating section to be accommodated, the board spent a large portion of the nearly three-hour meeting discussing how best to deal with more than $1 million in budget shortfalls due to state funding cuts and insurance increases.
With board member Judy Nixon absent, the remaining six were split on an initial vote to approve the general fund budget adjustment recommendations made by district administrators, which included an amended kindergarten fee proposal by board president Sharon Befort to introduce a tiered charge.
While those strictly against the change to kindergarten said they appreciated members looking for a workable solution, it was too damaging a move, they said, to justify the meager cushion of funds that would be left in the budget.
"I don't normally go against administration recommendations, but I just think at this late date the cost-benefit ratio isn't there," said Rich Kraemer, who joined Greg Schwartz and Darren Schumacher in striking down the motion.
Looking for another plan that all members could agree on, Schwartz suggested increasing K-12 workbook and material fees even higher than originally submitted, from a $45 increase to an $85 hike.
After some discussion, a new motion was made to accept all of the recommended budget adjustments, minus the kindergarten change and with the updated student fees.
That measure passed unanimously.
"We bought you some time not to pay for all-day kindergarten," Befort told concerned parents after the vote, "with the possibility that you may have to in the future."
In total, the adjustments save the district $1.14 million. That gives the district a reserve of about $75,000, which will be needed if the state makes additional reductions.
Prior to those votes, Schwartz introduced his own attempts to find an alternative to charging for kindergarten. At a meeting earlier in the month, Schwartz asked for information on the monetary effect of reducing pay for administrators and directors by 10 percent. Those figures were provided Monday, showing that about $150,000 could be generated through such a pay cut.
Other board members were not so receptive to the idea, however, at the 10-percent level, the 5-percent level or the 3-percent level, all of which were proposed by Schwartz and voted down with only Schumacher issuing his support.
"I feel like the administration has stepped up," Alan Moore said. "They have paid their dues. I think they're all doing a great job."
A $41.5 million budget for fiscal year 2010 was approved for publication Monday night. Compared to final figures for last year, the budget estimates only show a $200,000 drop in expenditures.
That number is misleading, Assistant Superintendent of Finance Richard Cain said, as it includes "extra budget authority that we know we'll probably never have," such as more students than likely will enroll.
Barring any further reductions, final figures this time next year should show a number closer to the $1 million the district is being forced to cut.
The bright spot among the many negatives associated with this year's budget, Superintendent Fred Kaufman said, is the district mill levy estimates are down by 0.62 mills.
The meeting will be rebroadcast late Wednesday morning on Hays High Channel 13, broadcasting instructor Dan Balman said.
In other board business:
* Members approved a renewal of membership in Schools for Fair Funding.
The agenda item raised expected inquiries about the possibility of invoking new litigation against the state for adequate funding.
At a meeting last week in Newton, Schools for Fair Funding members met to gather information about the current situation, suggesting another trip to court could be an option.
Kaufman, who is president of the group, attended the meeting and told board members he was inclined to believe the likelihood of success for another lawsuit would be greater than it was when it filed its original case in 1999.
"My feeling is that is the only way to get a response (from the Legislature)," he said.
* The board rejected a bid for a new passenger car for Head Start, as the amount of the bid was greater than the grant secured for the vehicle.