Report on School Board Regular Meeting - Tuesday, May 14th

The meeting commenced at 6:04pm with all of the school board members in attendance.  Also in attendance were Superintendent Mark Freeman and Treasurer Bryan Christman.
 
Superintendent’s Report and Recommendations
The board approved all of the changes in assignment, supplemental contracts, special assignments, leaves of absence, resignations and appointments as detailed in the agenda and addendum. Among the retirements announced were: Lynda Ackerman (Latin Teacher/Middle School); Jeffrey Adie (Grade 6 Teacher/Woodbury) and Susan Schwartz (Physical Education Teacher/Middle School).

Continued Employer Treatment Of Employee Contributions to Retirement System
The board adopted a resolution to continue the current pre-tax salary reduction treatment of employee contributions to the State Teacher Retirement System. The resolution also limits the Board-paid “pick up” of the employee share of retirement contributions for the administrative group to the current 10% of contract salary level. Approximately 75 individuals in the administrative group have their 10% employee share of the retirement contribution paid for them by the school district in addition to the 14% employer share paid by the school district for all employees. 

Shaker Heights High School Science Room Improvement Project
The board accepted a bid from Sterling Professional Group for $380,250.
 
Shaker Heights High School Planetarium Upgrade
The board declared that projection equipment and software for the SHHS Planetarium can be obtained only from a single source, and authorized the execution of an agreement outside of statutory competitive bidding procedures with Spitz, Inc. of Chadd's Ford, PA  for $235,745.

Treasurer’s Monthly Financial Report
Total revenue was $0.95 million or 1.2% less than prior YTD primarily due to lower real estate taxes. Total expenditures were $1.66 million or 2.3% greater than prior YTD. Total salaries and wages were $0.45 million or 1.1% greater than prior YTD.  Health insurance was $1.27 million or 15.6% less than prior YTD. Net favorable budget variance YTD was $1.35 million. Current month financial report is here

The Board Approved the 5-year Financial Forecast
In comparison to the 5-year forecast approved in October 2012, the new forecast shows $0.33 million greater revenue and $0.57 million lower expenditures, with expenditures forecast to exceed revenue by $2.16 million rather than the previous $3.06 million for FY 2013. Expenses are forecast to exceed revenue by $3.28 million for FY2014. The forecast calls for additional unidentified annual budget savings of $1.00 million in FY 2014 and $1.50 million in each year thereafter. With this forecast, the timing and size of the future operating levies have been adjusted. The timing has been adjusted so as to reflect an increase in the time between all future levies from a three-year cycle to a four-year cycle, and the size of the future levies has been reduced from 9.9 mills to 6.9 mills effective with the projected 2014 operating levy.  A levy of 6.9 mill is estimated to yield $5.34 million per year. Finally, this forecast reflects a reduction in the salary increases projected for the years after the current collective bargaining agreements expire. The prior forecast reflected an increase of 3% per year, while this forecast reflects a 2% per year increase going forward.   Draft 5-year forecast is here   October 2012 forecast is here

Non-agenda item
Although not on the agenda, by prearrangement the board heard the concerns of a group of parents who expressed dissatisfaction with the school year calendar and expressed the belief that more instructional days prior to the administration of AP and other tests in the Spring would improve test results. Despite the board policy of not providing an immediate response the group was assured that their concerns would be considered.

The posted May 14th agenda is here and the addendum is here

May 23rd, 6:00pm - School Board Work Session Meeting on the Strategic Plan
June 18th, 6:00pm - School Board Regular Meeting

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