What Will School Budget Look Like Next Year? Expect a Forecast Tonight

The Rochester Community Schools Board of Education will receive a glimpse Monday at next year's school year budget.

The board will hear the report as part of its regular meeting at 7 tonight; the meeting in the Harrison Room of the is open to the public.

Next year's budget will be helped by:

• Added $200 per-pupil foundation allowance ($3 million).
• The projected gain of 29 pupils ($206,000).
• Projected teacher retirements ($2.4 million).
• A possible energy-saving program ($400,000).
• Savings on employee insurance ($2 million).

Next year's budget will be hurt by:

• The added costs of full-day kindergarten ($3.1 million).
• An increase in the district retirement rate ($2.6 million).
• Reduction in tax revenue from Oakland Schools ($600,000).
• Elimination of $215 per-pupil one-time state payment ($3.2 million).

The net costs of all of the expenditures and revenue changes is about $1.5 million, according to numbers that will be presented by the school's budget and finance department.

Board members will also vote on amendments to the 2010-11 school year budget based on actual enrollment numbers, staffing assignments and grant funding.

The board has set March 26 for a discussion of potential budget cuts for 2012-13.

Outsourcing services

In addition to the budget, the board will discuss a resolution that would allow the district to seek bids for the outsourcing of custodians, transportation and other noninstructional services.

The state, through the School Aid Bill, has said that seeking competitive bids for noninstructional services valued at $50,000 or more annually is one of five "best fiscal practices" for K-12 public school districts.

"Due to prevailing unfavorable economic conditions, the Board of Education has requested the administration provide firm financial data on potential cost savings resulting from outsourcing certain noninstructional support services," said Superintendent Fred Clarke in a memo to board members.

According to Clarke's memo, the district could save more than $2 million annually if it outsourced custodial, transportation and some grounds services, as well as parking lot attendants.

If the resolution is approved, the bids would be advertised this week, and the board would be presented with the bids at its March 26 meeting.

Even if board members approve tonight's resolution to seek bids for these services, that does not mean the bids will be accepted.

A copy of the proposed resolution is attached to this report.

Other business

• The board's "Academic Spotlight" will feature 's media center and classroom instruction collaboration.
• The board will discuss changes in its board bylaws.
• The board will discuss a contract with Energy Education Inc. for an energy conservation program.