Board to add 2 more buses

While working to reduce a projected $2.1 million 2018-19 budget deficit, the Daniel Boone School Board agreed on March 14 to add two school buses to its fleet, beginning in the fall. The total cost will be $88,000. Board members said the buses are needed to reduce overcrowding and resulting misbehavior issues on middle school buses.

“Three kids to a seat is not pleasant on longer bus rides,” said Jenny Rexrode, principal of

the Daniel Boone Middle School.

Add students’ musical instruments — and the fact that middle school students are “larger” than elementary students — and board members said you have the perfect storm for bullying and physical altercations.

“Some kids are suspended off the bus,” said Rexrode. “We are doing everything we can. It is a very complicated situation making parents bring [drive] students, and it’s not always the solution.”

She said in a five-day suspension period, the student may attend only two of the days, if at all.

Rexrode said the district is more limited in its discipline of students with IEPs (individualized educational plans).

“The idea is safety for the students — and middle school kids are bigger,” said school board member Michael Wolfe, referring to the district’s higher incidence of “physical” altercations by students with IEPs.

Board members expressed varying solutions, including assigning aides to the elementary and middle school buses.

The board hasn’t yet considered the additional 3½ buses requested by the Transportation Committee.

Those buses would reduce overcrowding on elementary school buses.

Chief Financial Officer Loren Small said the district’s projected revenue of $57,281,000 includes a millage increase to the district’s Act 1 index of 3.2 percent — from 30.2 to 31.664 mills.

Expenses are projected at $59,387,000, resulting in a $2.1 million deficit.

Unable to increase taxes any higher without a ballot referendum at the general election polls on May 15, the district would balance the budget by utilizing $2.1 million from the district’s $5 million fund balance.

Property owners currently pay $3,020 for every $100,000 of assessed property value.

One of the biggest expenses for the elementary and middle school buildings are the consumable math workbooks, at an estimated $30 per student.

The high school budget has deceased $31,000 from last year.

Daniel Boone High School Principal Preston McKnight attributes that to less money spent on supplies and periodicals (due to the students’ use of the district’s iPads).

Chief Technology Officer Scott Matz said the district has been lagging in its technology upgrades.

He said the annual amount needed to keep the technology current is $1.24 million.

That includes money for software, equipment and network and wireless upgrades.

The board is considering a $4 million bond to cover seven years of technology upgrades.

Board members are also considering hiring an additional special education teacher at a projected salary of $75,000.

Casey Blankenbiller, director of buildings and grounds, said the district’s aging buildings costs have increased 20 percent; the district’s newest building is 10 years old.

He said pest extermination services will cost the district $35,000 (versus $8,000 last year) due to efforts to combat the spotted lanternfly.

Wolfe, also chairman of the Finance Committee, said previous boards wanted to put $500,000 each year into a capital needs account for routine maintenance costs.

“Historically, we have put that money into the general fund (fund balance) to not raise taxes, but now it is for the buildings -- that is where it goes [now],” said Wolfe.

The preliminary budget does not include any potential salary increases.

The support staff contract expires this summer, and the DBEA teachers’ contract expires in 2019.

By the end of the budget meeting, board members were arguing whether to restore more time to the district’s encore classes of music, physical education, art, and computer and library science.

That cost estimate is $184,000.

Also up for debate is the amount the district might provide for cheerleading uniforms.

One board member said they think there is onequarter mill of money (which is about $250,000) to include two new expenses in the budget.

“We don’t just throw it in the budget,” said member Jeff Scott.

“Ask administrators if they want to bring back stuff — and here’s how much [we have to spend],” said board President David Rathgeb.

“With salary negotiations, we may need to take away from other areas,” said Wolfe.