Finance staff lays out Cannon County school budget process; projects $462,000 fund-balance increase and flags staffing costs

County finance staff described the school budget process to the Cannon County board and highlighted key figures and scheduling steps as the district prepares March and April budget decisions.

"If my estimates are right ... you will increase your fund balance by 462,000," a finance staff member (Speaker 8) said, adding that some grant revenue may not yet be included in the estimate. Staff walked the board through a multi-column template showing prior-year actuals, adopted and amended budgets and an estimated column for the coming year.

Board members discussed options for pay increases. Staff described possible noncertified raises at 2, 3 and 5 percent and a proposed change to extend the certified step cap to 25 years; staff estimated moving to a 25-year cap would cost roughly $205,000 including benefits and that a larger extension could roughly double that figure. Board members asked staff to include these scenarios in the March budget materials so the financial impact can be reviewed.

Other operational items discussed included custodial pay practices for snow days — custodians are hourly with a capped number of annual hours and do not automatically receive paid snow days — and a question about whether the football field project could be funded from the adequate facilities tax; staff said that the tax can be used for capital expenditures such as land, buildings and equipment and noted the tax has funded HVAC work in the past.

Next steps: supervisors are to return completed budget sections by March 6, staff will compile a proposed budget for the March 24 meeting, and the board will revisit the pay scenarios and facility requests in April.