BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
The Budget and Finance Committee
of the Board of Education of Rich Township High School District 227 met on
Mrs. Moten called the meeting to
order at
Present: Moten (Chair),
Imoukhuede (Member), Upshaw (Member
Also Present: Mr. Brunson, Mr.
Hunigan, Mrs. Treichel, Mrs. Wolf, Mr. Hampton
Mrs. Moten turned the meeting
over to Mr. Hampton.
Mr. Hampton began with a
discussion on Workers’ Compensation. He
noted that our school district had been a member of SELF, which had recommended
that 12 school districts be terminated because of high loss claims. Each district had to vote, and the vote
failed. SELF could not terminate our
school district. The District is working
to put in some measures to bring down our loss claims. We are partnering with St. James and Ingalls.
In December, the Board voted to
approve the District’s withdrawal from SELF, which gave the District the
flexibility to seek quotes. Our District
has until
WCSIT’s quote is $197,564 for
$2,000,000 in coverage vs. last year’s premium of $449,673 for $1,000,000 in
coverage from SELF. SELF’s quote is
$460,334 for $1,000,000 in coverage.
AIG’s quote is $484,203 for $1,000,000 in coverage.
Fifty districts withdrew from
SELF in December. Ten districts have
transferred to WCSIT (Hinz Co.). Mr.
Hampton recommended that District 227 go with WCSIT. He noted that each year the District would be
bringing forth a recommendation for workers’ compensation. The quotes should be received by May 1 of
each year. He mentioned that WCSIT will
need to do an audit of our payrolls before the final amount is calculated for
the premium.
Mr. Imoukhuede mentioned that
Budget Meeting
Page 2
Mr. Hampton brought up a Tax
Rate Objection Settlement for the years 2001 and 2002. He noted that if the IMRF and Social Security
Funds have high reserves and when someone objects, the District has to send
money back to the taxpayers. He noted
that the District is trying to spend down the account. Mr. Hampton noted there will be a resolution
at the June 18 Board meeting regarding approval of these settlements.
Mr. Hampton brought up a
property tax abatement arrearage. He
noted that CarMax did not submit a PIN number to the District for a tax
abatement until tax year 2006. An
agreement has been reached with CarMax to rebate $51,371 in arrearage. If approved, this arrearage will be paid in
two installments. Mr. Hampton noted that
our abatement agreements have been changed so that if a business does not
submit a request for an abatement for property by November 1, the District does
not have to give the business the abatement.
Mrs. Moten asked if the District
had gone through all its other abatement agreements to check on the PIN
numbers. Mr. Hampton noted he had talked
to Mr. Izzo, our attorney, about that.
Mr. Izzo is going to make sure we have been abating all PIN
numbers.
Mr. Hampton noted this agreement
will go to the Board for approval on Monday, June 18.
Mr. Hampton brought up Alternate
Construction Project Recommendations. He
noted that to date $52,019,645 had been committed to projects, leaving
$1,980,355 remaining. Mr. Hampton
described all the alternates which the District plans to complete.
Mr. Hunigan noted that the
District needs to get on a cycle for maintenance of fields, etc.
Mr. Brunson mentioned that some
schools go to advertising on fencing and then the fencing is free.
Mr. Hunigan stated he would look
at the Board policy on advertising.
Mrs. Moten asked about internal
work. Mr. Hampton responded that
internal work is so expensive. Mr.
Hunigan added that the lobby area at Rich East will be updated.
Mr. Brunson asked about the
wiring in the foreign language labs. Mr.
Hampton responded that Mr. Koutavas is looking at the cost.
Mrs. Upshaw noted that she has
heard that the equipment in the weight room is hazardous. She felt that should be a priority on the
list.
Mr. Hunigan responded that
anything that is a danger to the students should be taken care of
Budget and Finance Meeting
Page 3
6/11/07
immediately. He added that he will make sure the Board
members walk through all the weight rooms to make sure they are safe.
Mr. Hampton noted that the
District will begin addressing items on a year to year basis.
He added that there will be
$430,000 remaining in the construction fund.
He stated that he will make sure the A.D.s are addressing the needs of
the various fields.
Mr. Imoukhuede asked how much of
the soft cost has been spent. Mr.
Hampton stated that information is in the Board packet each month.
Mrs. Moten asked about the
soccer fields. She stated that the parents
were upset that the students had to play elsewhere because of the fields.
Mr. Hampton stated the District
is addressing this issue.
At 7:10 p.m. Mr. Imoukhuede left
the meeting.
Mr. Hampton brought up the
contract with the Bloom Township Treasurer’s Office. He stated that the contract expires on June
30, 2007, and it is his recommendation that the District continue the
partnership. He is recommending a 3-year
contract, $105,000 this year, with a 3.5% increase annually for the next two
years. This is less than the District
was paying for the Rich Township Treasurer’s Office. He will bring this contract before the Board
on June 18, 2007.
Mr. Hunigan brought up the
replacement of band equipment. He noted
the District needs to put in the budget each year some dollars for replacement
of band equipment. Our schools have been
borrowing equipment from other high schools for competitions. The District needs to get in a cycle for
replacement of the equipment.
Mr. Hunigan stated that next
year he would be bringing another school to the Board for replacement of band
equipment. The schools can share some of
the key pieces.
Mr. Hampton noted that salaries
for administrative and exempt staff employees will be going to the Board on
June 18, 2007, for approval. He noted
that the administrative staff has been decreased, for a savings of $386,440.
Mrs. Moten asked for a list of
the summer interns at the car dealerships.
Mr. Hampton stated he is working
on creating policies and procedures for the student activity accounts. He will have these policies and procedures
before the July meeting.
Budget and Finance Minutes
Page 4
6/14/07
Mr. Hunigan noted that it is
possible the District will need additional help in that department.
There needs to be an accounting
in the collection of any dollars.
At 7:25 p.m. Mrs. Moten
adjourned the meeting.
_________________________________________
Chairperson