In an interview with KSDK Education Reporter Sharon Stevens ”Rockwood officials say everything will be on the table including possible layoffs, transportation changes and a tax hike proposal“.
KSDK Video
In the interview, Rockwood’s Chief Financial Officer also says; “It may come to a referendum and we have been talking about that for several years. We would like the timing to be right so it is successful and so that we don’t under spend Rockwood into a situation where it is not Rockwood anymore”.
Has the school district tightened their belts through four fiscal years of cost saving actions? Despite cost saving actions, why has Rockwood been dipping into their reserves accounts since 2009 and predict the practice will continue for another three years?
Their answer: we have cut to the bone; there has been cuts in state funding (aka formula fund); and there are no new operating tax revenues.
Our answer: we recommend that the district take sufficient time to improve their financial practices with more open and transparent transactions, tighten their belts. Then and only then, would it be appropriate to consider asking again for a fair and reasonable tax levy.”
So, has the district tightened their belts?
You be the judge
Facts for the past four Fiscal Years 2008 – 2011
DECREASE
$22, 374,160 via cost saving actions; aka budget cuts ExhibitA , Exhibit Aa , ExhibitAb
INCREASE
168 – enrollment
$19, 685,032.00 - in salaries Exhibit B
$8,372,963.00 – in benefits Exhibit B
55 – number of instructional staff members Exhibit C
42 - number of support staff members Exhibit C
$3,784.00 – in minimum teacher base salaries to $38,794.00 Exhibit D
$7,118.00 – in average teacher base salaries to $55,461.00 Exhibit D
$8,996.00 – in maximum teacher salaries to $88,596.00 Exhibit D
$12,341,591.00 - in total cost of instructional staff Exhibit E
$12,592,073.00 – in total cost of support staff Exhibit E
.28/100 – tax rate per the Hancock Amendment Exhibit F
When salaries and benefits account for nearly 83% of the district’s budget, the writing is clearly on the wall. RS for RS believes taxpayers support fair and reasonable salaries for a competent and competitive staff. Having said that; the private sector taxpayers have faced reductions and/or freezes in their salaries and benefits over the last number of years.
Administrators and support staff had a one year freeze in their salaries; however, in recent weeks the Board of Education has approved across the board salary increases, despite the looming financial picture they present.
Citizens are not against paying their fair share of taxes to support public education in our school district. However, what they are against are unwise, undisclosed and inappropriate business practices, excessive spending and poor fiscal management.
There are some hard decisions to be made and RS for RS will continue to remain open and willing to come to the table with solutions.
*source 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
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