Approved school budgets see long awaited increases

For the first time in several years, both the Columbia Falls elementary and high school budgets will see an increase, thanks in large part to a successful high school levy that narrowly passed in May.

The School District 6 board of trustees approved the district’s final 2015 fiscal year budget at their Aug. 18 meeting.

The state provides about two-thirds of the funding for the $9.7 million elementary budget and the $5.5 milion high school budget, using a funding formula based on enrollment. Enrollment is stabilizing in School District 6, but the funding formula is based on a three-year average, which makes it tough on districts that have experienced a drop in enrollment in recent years.

According to the School District’s 2014-15 final budget document, the actual “average number belonging” (ANB) in the district increased by 34 students, but the number used for budget purposes fell by 57.

Successful elementary and high school levies in the past helped the district reach the maximum budget level allowed by the state. But over the past five years, the number of students for budget purposes has fallen by 277, an 11.25 percent decrease.

That translates into a $124,843 decrease in the maximum budget allowed for this fiscal year. To address higher costs for teachers and staff, health insurance, fuel and everything else, the district reduced staff, consolidated buildings and focused on core programs.

The high school levy approved by voters in May was for 13.36 mills, or $478,000, but district staff were able to find sufficient costs savings to cover about half of that levy. As a result, the district will only levy 7.66 mills for this year’s budget. The tax impact on a home valued at $200,000 will be $21 more.

After decreasing for three straight years, the adopted elementary budget increased by 0.28 percent over last year. Personnel costs, however, increased by $415,666, including $292,518 for steps, lanes, longevity and base increases for teachers and $33,888 for the new school superintendent. Michael Nicosia, who retired in June, had agreed to work for $31,150 last year — a significant cut from his previous salary of $119,500.

After falling for four straight years, the adopted high school budget is 10.25 percent higher than last year. Personnel costs increased by $183,116, which created a deficit that the approved levy addressed.

Breaking down the elementary budget, about 41 percent goes to teacher salaries and 7 percent for their health insurance, 12 percent to special education, 5 percent to administration, 12 percent to facility maintenance and utilities, and less than 1 percent to athletics.

For the high school budget, about 29 percent goes to teacher salaries and 5 percent for their health insurance, 7 percent to special education, 5 percent to administration, 14 percent to facility maintenance and utilities, and 5 percent to athletics, including transportation, weight room and cheerleading.