APPROVED 4/17/19

Board of Education Finance Committee (Monday, April 1, 2019)

Generated by Debbie Tressler on Friday, April 5, 2019

1. Board Finance Committee

A. Call to Order

1:51 p.m.

B. Roll Call

Members Present: Zen Kelly, Jason Tauriainen, Greg Madden
Members Absent: Debbie Cary

C. Approval of Notes

The notes of the March 4, 2019, were approved as printed.

D. FY20 Budget Discussion

The committee continued their review of the FY20 budget and proposed reductions. Mr. O'Brien invited Mr. Tony Graham, Soldotna High School principal, and Mr. Curt Schmidt, Soldotna Prep School principal to attend due to the possibility of a school consolidation.
Ms. Hayes shared and discussed the revenue effects of possible increases in student nutrition full paid meal prices. Mr. Jones offered to provide the committee with information regarding meal prices of other state districts.
Ms. Hayes shared and discussed a list of teacher, administrator and board travel expenses in the general fund. The committee discussed options for reductions in various travel categories. Mr. Kelly asked administration for their recommendations on places to consider reductions. The committee will discuss, with the entire board, a possible overall percentage cut to the travel budget.
Ms. Hayes discussed possible utility cost savings from school consolidations.
Ms. Hayes stated that board members are able to individually opt out of PERS but the district cannot remove the benefit from them. The committee decided that the savings would not be large enough to further discuss this option.
Mr. Kelly asked committee members if they would like to consider cutting board stipends and health care. Administration would need to research the effects this would have on board member liability coverage and other possible issues that might arise from this action. The committee decided not to consider this further at this time.
The administration is still working on information regarding outsourcing custodial services. Mr. Jones discussed the effects of outsourcing custodial services.
Ms. Hayes is still working on the requested amount of possible savings from closing the district warehouse. Mr. Kelly told her not to spend much time on this.
The committee discussed the expected savings from a Soldotna Prep School and Soldotna High School consolidation. Mr. O'Brien explained the hold harmless policy which would provide continued funding for 2 years. The Soldotna Prep building would be completely emptied and closed. Mr. Schmidt and Mr. Graham discussed Soldotna Prep School class choice reductions if the school remains open. The committee recommended the Soldotna Prep and Soldotna High Schools consolidation conversation move forward to the entire board for consideration.
The board might hold a special meeting on April 18 to further discuss consolidations and allow for public comment.

E. Information Requests to Administration

None at this time.

F. Adjourn

2:53 p.m.