Citation in context
2021 2022 School District of Clayton Budget.pdf
While these payments are not paid directly to the employee, they are considered part of the cost of employment. 6300-6399 Purchased Services – Amounts paid for services rendered by personnel who are not on the payroll of the District and for other services which the District may purchase. While a product may or may not result from the transaction, the primary reason for the purchase is the service provided. 6400-6499 Supplies – Amounts paid for material items of an expendable nature that are consumed, deteriorate in use, or lose separate identity through fabrication or incorporation into different or more complex units or substances. 29 6500-6599 Capital Outlay – Expenditures for the acquisition of fixed assets or additions to fixed assets. Examples include expenditures for land or existing buildings, improvements of grounds, construction of buildings, additions to buildings, remodeling of buildings, and equipment. 6600-6699 Short and Long-Term Debt – Expenditures for the retirement of debt, the payment of interest on debt, and the payment fees. Fund 2020-2021 Original Expenses 2021-2022 Proposed Expenses Variance General $20,980,040 $22,040,690 $1,060,650 Special Revenue $34,797,310 $35,464,040 $666,730 Capital Projects $2,617,400 $2,410,130 ($207,270) Debt Service $8,977,790 $8,546,030 ($431,760) Total $67,372,540 $68,460,890 $1,088,350 The increase in General and Special Revenue funds is primarily due to salary (1 percent budgetary impact for certified and 2 percent for classified with an average increase of 3.0 percent due to turnover) and benefit (9 percent) increases (see Salary and Benefit section), as well as an additional 3.2 FTE. The recommended staffing increase aligns with our strategic plan - focusing on continuous improvement, individualized approaches to learning and developing skills outlined in our Profile of the Graduate. The decrease in Debt Service fund is due to debt refinancing that lowered future debt payments based on the revised debt payment schedule (see Debt Service section). 30
The recommended staffing increase aligns with our strategic plan - focusing on continuous improvement, individualized approaches to learning and developing skills outlined in our Profile of the Graduate. The decrease in Debt Service fund is due to debt refinancing that lowered future debt payments based on the revised debt payment schedule (see Debt Service section). 30 Explanations of the fluctuations in the various categories are described in more detail on the following pages. 2020-2021 Original Operating Expenses 2021-2022 Proposed Operating Expenses Variance $ Variance % Certified Salaries $26,816,650 $27,438,270 $621,620 2.32% Classified Salaries $8,032,860 $8,261,030 $228,170 2.84% Board Paid Health Benefits $4,511,740 $4,798,890 $287,150 6.36% Employee Benefits $6,091,270 $6,267,490 $176,220 2.89% Purchased Services $5,199,620 $5,556,810 $357,190 6.87% Supplies $4,110,250 $3,827,780 ($282,470) (6.87%) Equipment/Capital $2,313,230 $2,410,130 $96,900 4.19% Total Operating $57,075,620 $58,560,400 $1,509,700 2.60% 31
Explanations of the fluctuations in the various categories are described in more detail on the following pages. 2020-2021 Original Operating Expenses 2021-2022 Proposed Operating Expenses Variance $ Variance % Certified Salaries $26,816,650 $27,438,270 $621,620 2.32% Classified Salaries $8,032,860 $8,261,030 $228,170 2.84% Board Paid Health Benefits $4,511,740 $4,798,890 $287,150 6.36% Employee Benefits $6,091,270 $6,267,490 $176,220 2.89% Purchased Services $5,199,620 $5,556,810 $357,190 6.87% Supplies $4,110,250 $3,827,780 ($282,470) (6.87%) Equipment/Capital $2,313,230 $2,410,130 $96,900 4.19% Total Operating $57,075,620 $58,560,400 $1,509,700 2.60% 31 Staffing The vision for staffing in the School District of Clayton as framed by the District’s mission, vision and core values is to have the best teacher possible in every classroom and the best staff member possible in every non-teaching position. With this purpose in mind, elements critical to staffing recommendations for budget development include: • Enrollment • Class Size Policy • District’s Curricular and Program Expectations • Missouri School Improvement Program Standards • Fund Balance Guidelines Administrators discuss staffing on an ongoing basis and make recommendations that keep the district within fund balance goals. Staffing may be adjusted at any time between the presentation of the budget and the start of the school year based upon a periodic review of the enrollment/registration process or program enrollments at the secondary level. The staffing contingency budget may be used when actual enrollment exceeds projected enrollment. Before a recommendation to replace current staffing or a recommendation for contingency staffing, administrators will make every effort to accommodate any unforeseen need with existing resources. An annual contingency account equivalent to one teacher at the average teacher compensation is maintained to offset fluctuations due to differences between projected enrollment and actual enrollment. Salary and Benefits Certified Staff – The District is very fortunate to have the most experienced and highly educated teaching staff in the area. During 2019-2020, our average teacher had 17.6 years of experience with 95.6 percent holding a Master’s Degree or higher. The Missouri average for that year was 13.0 years of experience with 61.9 percent holding Masters Degrees or higher. 2020-2021 is the final year of a two-year salary agreement. Administration began salary discussions with teacher representatives in February 2021 and the Board approved salary schedules for the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school year on April 14, 2021. For the 2021-2022 budget, a .92 percent overall budget impact has been included in the current projections as per the salary agreement. The average salary increase for a teacher is 3 percent due to staff turnover. Administrative salaries, part-time temporary employment and substitute budgets were all increased at 3 percent. The Board also approved an additional 3.2 certified FTE for the 2021-2021 school year at the April 14, 2021 board meeting. This additional $286,100 budget impact will be absorbed through staff turnover along with other budgetary reductions. Non-Certified Staff – Non-certified staff include the following categories of support staff: nurses, office personnel, maintenance personnel, before and after school personnel, personnel at the Family Center, and miscellaneous part-time non-teaching positions. A 2 percent budgetary increase for non-certified staff has been included in the current budget and projections which represents a 3 percent average increase due to staff turnover. Employee Benefits – Employee benefits include medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance. Also included in this category is the Employee Assistance Program. The employee benefit plans are administered on a calendar year basis. 2017 and 2019 plan years experienced significant medical claims that exceed premiums. 2020 saw a reduction in medical claims; however, due to the unusual circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, an 8% increase is reasonable for the 2021-2022 budget projections. 32
Also included in this category is the Employee Assistance Program. The employee benefit plans are administered on a calendar year basis. 2017 and 2019 plan years experienced significant medical claims that exceed premiums. 2020 saw a reduction in medical claims; however, due to the unusual circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, an 8% increase is reasonable for the 2021-2022 budget projections. 32 Administration will continue to work with a representative group of staff to identify ways to adjust the plan design, negotiate discounts, and incorporate wellness activities such as free membership and low-cost fitness classes for staff through the Center of Clayton that will maintain a competitive benefits package. Retirement Contributions - Retirement contributions for PSRS members and employer matching have been approved by the retirement system at the same percentage as 2020-2021 which is 14.50 percent of retirement compensation. Retirement contributions for PEERS members and employer matching have also been approved by the retirement system at the same percentage as 2020-2021 which is 6.86 percent of retirement compensation. Retirement compensation includes salary, extra pay, and medical, dental, and vision insurance contributions. PSRS participants are not eligible for social security benefits and neither the District nor the participants contribute to social security on their behalf. PEERS participants and the District both contribute to social security and participants are eligible for full benefits. School Building and Department Budgets For 2021-2022, school building and department budgets will be established through the ZBB approach as previously described. This represents approximately $5.0 million of the overall operating budget. All members of the District Leadership Council will share in the experience of analyzing budget trade-offs and making tough decisions between building and department requested wants and enhancements. This overall budget area is budgeted with a 2 percent increase. However, through the ZBB approach, District leaders will ensure the District’s resources are allocated to programs that support its mission, vision and core values as well as to secure the District’s ability to continue to provide our students with a rich and rigorous educational experience. Capital Expenditures The District defines capital expenditures and projects as follows: • Capital Expenditures – Any purchase of furniture, equipment, vehicles, or permanent improvement having per unit cost of $1,000 or more and useful life of more than one year is classified as a capital asset. Purchases of $3,500 or more will be competitively bid, and sealed bids will be required for purchases that may exceed $15,000 as stated in District Policy DJF -2 – Purchasing. • Capital Project – An activity that does not occur routinely or annually, has a scheduled and definitive beginning and ending, and results in a capital improvement or acquisition. Funding for this activity is from local revenue sources. • Capital Projects Bond Program – Major technology infrastructure and facility needs such as new construction, or upgrading existing facilities are funded through the sale of bonds. As part of a bond elections process, the District develops a framework of the projects to be addressed. These projects are determined through internal staff analysis and input from the community. Once the projects are identified, specific project budgets are established on a project basis. Facility Services – The Director of Facility Services and key stakeholders work to develop a five-year capital projects budget each January and February. General building maintenance needs are considered as well as educational needs. The needs throughout the District are analyzed and prioritized. This list is continuously updated as the needs of the District and its students change. Each spring the District asks the Board to approve the top priority projects that fit within budget parameters that need to be completed at that time. As a result, many projects get deferred over a period of years. Some of these projects include: 33
As a result, many projects get deferred over a period of years. Some of these projects include: 33 Infrastructure improvements that were identified in the District’s Facilities Master Plan but were not pressing enough to be included as part of the 2009 bond issue. Updates to learning spaces/libraries to meet the evolving needs of today’s learners. Improvements to athletic facilities including a press box and restroom for Adzick Field and a renovated press box and new scoreboard for Gay Field. Total proposed maintenance Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) expenditures will increase 2%. $35,000 will be included for classroom furniture purchases for a total budget of $940,240. A contingency fund of $50,000 has historically been maintained to handle unanticipated maintenance needs and emergency repairs. Water main breaks, unanticipated roof leaks, funding insurance damage claims, and dealing with environmental health issues are examples of potential uses of contingency funds. Many of Maintenance’s projects are completed during the summer months and therefore projects that are not completed prior to the end of the fiscal year will continue to be carried over into the following year’s budget. Technology – The District finalized its “technology toolbox” and the Board approved recommendations on January 25,