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District finance staff lay out budget math as IBB weighs salary increases and insurance contribution options
Summary
Moscow School District finance staff showed state apportionment and budget scenarios while IBB members weighed 2.0% vs 2.5% base salary increases (plus steps/lanes) and possible district responses to projected insurance premium changes; no final salary decision was reached.
District finance staff presented the district's revenue and budget projections as IBB discussed how to allocate the new state funds and whether to increase base salaries for certified, classified and administrative staff.
Why it matters: any decision to increase base pay becomes a recurring payroll obligation and affects the district's fund balance and levy planning. The board, superintendent and association must balance competitiveness, budget prudence and levy timing.
Key numbers presented: staff showed the district's current salary-based apportionment (SBA) revenue figures for the year (reported in the meeting as $10,409,038) and a projected SBA increase for the next year that would raise SBA revenues; the meeting note included state discretionary allocation figures used in district budgeting. Staff ran scenarios that included steps and lanes costs, an estimate of the state-required minimum salary change, classified step movements, and an example assumption of a 7% insurance premium increase (used to estimate the district contribution impact). The finance summary indicated a projected net increase in state funding of about $780,664 under the stated assumptions, and staff modeled how a 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0% or 2.5% general base increase (plus steps/lanes) would use some or all of that new revenue.
Options discussed: meeting participants debated (a) a 2.0% base increase plus steps and lanes, (b) a 2.5% base increase plus steps and lanes, and (c) hybrid approaches such as a lower recurring percentage plus a one-time stipend. Administration cautioned that the district has limited truly discretionary new money, noted an existing fund-balance policy target (months-of-expenditures reserve), and said some costs (facilities leases, new program staffing) are also competing priorities.
Outcome: IBB did not reach a final salary decision. Members narrowed options and asked staff to return with refined fiscal scenarios tied to the district's fund-balance policy and to communicate options to members for ratification. The group tentatively scheduled a follow-up meeting in early June to continue bargaining conversations; the superintendent said any final salary decision will be coordinated with insurance decisions so employees understand net take-home effects.
Ending: Discussion closed for the meeting; the group will reconvene with updated numbers and member feedback.
