SV schools preparing new budget

By Ted Morris
Herald/Review
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, Mar 26, 2008 - 05:20:31 am MST

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SIERRA VISTA — The city’s public school system is keeping an eye on its current budget and making projections for next year’s spending plan.

Michelle Quiroz, the business manager for Sierra Vista Unified School District, provided a detailed update on operational and capital budgets for the Governing Board on Tuesday night.

There were a few district employees attending the meeting but no members of the public.

Quiroz clicked through various slides that showed the status of the fiscal year 2007-08 Maintenance & Operations budget, school site budgets and capital funds. She also provided a preliminary sketch of how the fiscal year 2008-09 budgets are shaping up.

In the 2007-08 M&O, which ends June 30, there is a balance of $590,641. The total M&O budget is $38,596,493, of which $25,943,160 has been expended, mostly for salaries and benefits for the district’s staff. Encumbered funds total $12,062,692.

Quiroz pointed out how the supplies category is carrying a negative balance of $180,271.

“ ... one of the major things that’s causing that supplies line to be above the allocation is the increase of fuel costs. It’s about $150,000, of that $180,000 that we’re over, just for fuel. That’s for our buses and our non-student-transportation vehicles.

“Even though we have a bid in place, we are still paying a high price, just like at the pumps,” Quiroz said.

There are many other details within the budget, but the bottom line is that the M&O is projected to end the fiscal year with a balance of $151,106.34.

On Thursday, the district will conduct a 100-day count of preschool students at Carmichael and Town and Country elementary schools. Four other 100-day counts already have been conducted in all the other schools of the district.

Looking to the future, Quiroz provided some early figures for the fiscal year 2008-09 budget, which begins July 1.

Quiroz stressed that the budget factors are “very preliminary” and can be expected to change. The 100-day county affects Average Daily Membership (ADM), whose numbers are decimalized to the thousandth of a “student.” Quiroz said she has been communicating daily with the Arizona Department of Education and the district’s information-technology people to reconcile the numbers, a process that she expects won’t be finished until late April.

“As we’re developing this, we’re going to keep seeing changes in the budget limit, and I just want people to be aware that these are very preliminary,” said Quiroz, who provided a similar budget report March 4.

Sierra Vista calculates a decrease in enrollment by 89.773 students in FY 2008-09, and there are other factors such as the weighted ADM for special-education students, which also is not yet finalized.

Based on the projected ADM, the early projection for the new budget limit shows a change from $38,596,493 during 2007-08 to $38,557,517 in 2008-09.

Governing Board members Hal Thomas and Don Rothery asked numerous questions of Quiroz.

By June, there will be final reports from the Arizona Department of Education to allow the district to prepare its proposed budget for 2008-09. During June and July, the district is expected to present the budget to the public, and the final budget should be adopted by the board before July 15.

The Governing Board must approve the tax rate by Aug. 5 and submit it to the Cochise County Board of Supervisors by Aug. 15. The current rate is $6.57 per $100 of assessed value.

Herald/Review City Editor Ted Morris can be reached at 515-4614 or cityeditor@svherald.com.

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override? yeah right wrote on Apr 5, 2008 12:25 AM:

" With all due respect Skarhus, you have a conflict of interest since you work for the district. The fallacy is that AZ schools are underfunded since the bulk of the state's budget goes for education. This district's budget is up $10M in just four years since the last override, and that doesn't count the override. Of course you are always asking for more money, who wouldn't?? Another override? FORGET IT. Why don't you post why the district may ask for another this year when they still have the current override authorized already for next year. "

BILLY H wrote on Mar 29, 2008 7:13 PM:

" Now if this isn’t an example of lack of management of our tax dollars what is?“Even though we have a bid in place, we are still paying a high price, just like at the pumps,” Quiroz said. Why would the school district not have fuel contract in place at this late date? Paying full retail for diesel oh well it’s not their money. Makes you wonder why there seems to be no attempt to cut costs. The district wants to justify a need for another override.No way cut costs 10 per cent.NO OVERIDE NEEDED "

John Skarhus wrote on Mar 28, 2008 11:33 AM:

" As a member of the SVPS Financial Advisory Committee, I invite anyone who believes AZ provides too much funding, to attend the meetings regarding our budget. There is always room for improvement, but I completely disagree that this district is overtly wasteful in its spending. We do consistently ask for money, because providing quality schools is expensive. I welcome the debate over "administrative costs." Without calling anyone stupid, it IS complex. "Administration" is more than positions at the district office. As a classroom teacher, I want funds dedicated to classrooms, but there are many other aspects to consider. "

Here We Go! wrote on Mar 28, 2008 6:54 AM:

" Another person telling us just how "complicated" runnig a district and how schools are funded again. AZ never provides enough funding to satisfy thier thirst for more. Appears the general public is just too stupid to understand and must be spoon fed dribble so a broken system can continue to suck money out of our pockets with not appearant improvement in operations. Another excuse for SVUSD exceeding state average administrative costs and spending less than average in the classroom (state stistics they don't want us to know, not mine. I won't support another override. "

To "Hands Out Again" & "Independent" wrote on Mar 27, 2008 8:45 AM:

" When you say "live within its means," who are you to determine "its means?" The state of Arizona does not provide adequate means for our schools. The vast majority of schools are forced to use overrides in order to meet the basic needs of our students. And for those who would criticize "administrative costs," start considering just what it is you want to cut: Computers / technology? Busses? Nurses? I am all for getting money to the classroom, but running a district is a complex balancing act. "

Hands out again? wrote on Mar 27, 2008 5:19 AM:

" The school district needs to learn to live within it's means - just like the rest of us. In other words, keep your hands out of my pockets! I will vote against any future overrides. "

Independent wrote on Mar 26, 2008 11:21 PM:

" Before even thinking of an override, the school board should be examining how to cut corners. The fact that money going into the classroom has been less than the state average (which has declined the last four years) and way less than the national average says we are top heavy in administration. Plant operations is also way over national or state averages. Why isn't the Board taking a look at tightening up before asking for more money? Because they have never been a manager of anything! Tighten up or shut up! "

Taxed Out wrote on Mar 26, 2008 11:42 AM:

" No mention of the colsed meeting held to "discuss and/or consider a budget override." See ARS 15-481 regarding the approved override process. Once again, the district is getting the cart before the cart. If any of you are concerned that we will be subjected to the same subterfuge as last time, it is time to become vocal. "

Jessica wrote on Mar 26, 2008 9:43 AM:

" Are the 1/2 days going to be looked into, with the gas budget identified as such a problem. At Buena, the money spent to send our kids to school for 18 minutes in each class seems a HUGE waste in numerous areas other than just the buses running. I don't make my kids go on those days anymore due to such a waste of time -- their grades are in the top of their classes. "

Concerned Citizen wrote on Mar 26, 2008 9:41 AM:

" To all district leaders. Lets keep the children in mind while making our budget. Do not give the administrators all the money like our past super did! "