Audit shows clean opinion; district pursues $83,000 in fee savings and $85,000 in food‑service savings

Lauterbach and Amen presented fiscal year 2023–24 audits Monday, and staff outlined multiple operational steps to reduce costs as the district balances competing priorities.

Allison Kamen of Lauterbach and Amen said both the district and the Fox Valley Career Center received clean audit opinions and highlighted a general fund balance of about $6.6 million (59% of total fund balance of approximately $11.2 million). She reported a net change in fund balance of about negative $700,000 for the district, with the general fund showing an approximate $115,000 decrease, which she said is likely attributable in part to lower federal grant revenues.

On possible savings, Director Doctor Bogan proposed changing the district's Infinite Campus payment practice so families who pay online bear processing fees (35¢ per transaction plus ~3.5% for Visa/Mastercard and ~4.65% for American Express). She said the district spent just under $83,000 on processing fees last year and recommended implementing the change on Jan. 1 with December communications; cash and check payments would remain fee‑free.

Bogan also presented findings on HPS, a group purchasing organization that has contracts with Gordon Foodservice and others. Preliminary estimates show potential annual food‑service savings of about $85,000 versus current contract pricing; the annual HPS membership fee is $3,275. Staff said product quality and ordering mechanics would remain the same; the change would primarily alter pricing and rebates.

Finally, the board approved the 2025–26 high‑school course offering book on first reading; the motion passed by roll call with five ayes and one abstention (noted as a conflict for a dual credit class). The meeting recorded a series of consent motions earlier, and later the board voted to enter closed session after the public meeting concluded.