During its last regular meeting, the Neosho R-5 School Board read a presentation from the budget review committee.
The committee met throughout the 2009-2010 school year and, as the state’s financial crisis continued to worsen, the committee reviewed all areas of the school’s budget.
As a general, over-arching goal, the committee strongly suggested the board protect kindergarten through 12th grade classrooms and teachers through the state’s financial crisis.
Cuts should be considered in support staff, services, and the general administrative costs of the district before cuts are made to classrooms.
The following were recommendations made to the school board by the budget review committee.
Teacher recruitment/retention
Salary: Continue to utilize increases in state and/or local funding sources, as much as possible, to increase the overall salary and benefit packages of employees. This will allow the district to continue to attract and retain quality employees to work with our students. Particular attention should be paid to the teachers’ salary schedule to ensure that we remain competitive with schools in Southwest Missouri.
Benefits: As part of the overall salary/benefits package, the district will need to continue to monitor the Neosho Healthcare Trust funds to ensure an appropriate reserve is maintained, while providing quality care for employees.
Staffing levels
Regular classrooms: Maintain or even reduce class sizes, particularly in the primary grades, as we seek to improve the instructional environment for teachers and students.
Capital improvements/ maintenance
Maintenance of Buildings: Continue to annually review and update the needs assessment for district maintenance projects, setting aside as much local money as possible to keep current buildings and campuses in the best shape possible. Even in the midst of budget reductions, the district should attempt to maintain a regular schedule of capital maintenance projects.
Transportation
Activity Miles: Reduce activity miles and trips as the state’s transportation funding continues to be cut. Make changes as needed to be economical in the district’s travel choices.
Bus Fleet: Due to budget reductions, no buses will be purchased in the 2010-11 school year. However, care should be taken to maintain a regular rotation of buses so the fleet does not become older/hard to maintain.
Extra-curricular programs
Cost/Benefit Balance: During this period of budget reductions, the committee recognizes the great benefits to students/ families from extra-curricular programs. However, we also recognize that these programs are “extra.” The district should consider the impact on student learning and enrollment when cutting extra-curricular opportunities. Alternatives to complete elimination of programs should be considered; such as limitations on travel, number of contests, paid coaches/sponsors, and even participation fees paid by students.
