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Ralston board reviews activity funds, fundraising pressures and district financial picture
Summary
District staff told the board that fundraising and reduced activity-fee revenue have shifted how activity funds are used; board discussion also covered facility rental revenue, a pending motor-vehicle tax bill (LB 714) and anticipated federal lunch funding.
Ralston Public Schools officials used the Feb. 10 retreat to explain how activity funds are organized, where fundraising pressure has increased and how that affects student participation in out-of-state competitions and extracurriculars.
Superintendent Buckingham and business office staff described the activity-fund structure: individual clubs and teams have accounts within the district’s accounting system, but proceeds are pooled into a central athletics/activity account (1001) for operational flexibility. Amanda Rubio of the business office handles accounting tasks for activity funds, and principals and coaches receive periodic reconciliations.
District staff said one important revenue source — student activity fees — has declined because 65% of district students now qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a status that can make the activity fee forgivable. That reduction in fee revenue has increased reliance on fundraising and sponsorships, the board heard. The district highlighted one recent success: the cheer/dance group raised roughly $9,000 at a January competition; their activity balance was reported as about $9,025.98.
Officials urged clubs and coaches to consider whether annual national travel is sustainable for their demographics and fundraising capacity. "The one overarching guideline for how activity fund dollars are spent is: are they to the benefit of students?" Superintendent Buckingham said.
Facility rentals are another material revenue source for activity funds. Custodial and usage expenses are paid by the district, and rental proceeds are deposited into the activity fund to support student programs.
Districtwide finance updates flagged a pending legislative measure, LB 714, that could change motor-vehicle tax distribution. The district currently receives about 60% of those revenues; the bill proposed shifting that share to about 37% and was scheduled for a hearing March 4. The superintendent told the board the proposal had been paused for further financial review but urged members to note the possible impact.
Board members were told the district expects a June bond payment of $1.7 million related to recent construction work and that federal child nutrition funding approved Jan. 9 should yield about $321,000 when it arrives. Depreciation-fund expenditures this month included final invoices for staff computers and purchase of a new district pickup truck with a plow.
The board discussed ways to clean up dormant activity accounts (for example, long-inactive class accounts) and to require clearer out-of-state travel planning so clubs better project trip costs before committing.
No board action was required on these updates; staff said follow-up reports and routine financial reconciliations will continue.
