Mercer Co. board hears finance officer's report on current budget cuts and upcoming CERS contribution increase: "Thankfully we have a healthy cash balance"
Harrodsburg Herald, Sept. 28, 2017
Mercer Schools feeling the squeeze
Dealing With Possible Budget Cuts, Pension Increases
By Robert Moore
Mercer County Schools are looking at a squeeze in the coming year. They have been told by state officials to prepare for possible cuts in state funding while having to increase the school's contribution into the pension fund for certified employees.
According to Finance Officer Amber Minor, the state is looking to cut flexible funds for text books and professional development by $54,000. The district will also have to make a bigger contribution into County Employees Retirement System (CERS), which covers certified employees, but not teachers. Minor said the district's contribution is being increased from 19.18 percent to 28.96 percent, which will cost the district $350,000.
"Thankfully we have a healthy cash balance," Minor told the school board last week.
The district's cash balance was $4.8 million in August. Total revenue was down 45-percent, Minor said, largely because of declines in utility taxes. Total expenditures were down two-percent, which Minor attributes to lower building expenses from closing the former Harrodsburg High School building.
In other business, the Mercer County Board of Education:
• Approved a working budget to be submitted to the Kentucky Department of Education. The budget includes an adjusted tax revenue of $5.03 million and a 5.9-percent ending balance, which amounts to $1.45 million.
• Heard the results from the 2017 TELL Kentucky Survey, which seeks teacher feedback.
"It gives us a good snapshot of what's going on in our building," said King Middle School Principal Terry Gordon, who delivered the results to the school board along with the other principals.
On the whole, teachers across the district felt their schools were good places to work. However, half of the teachers at Mercer County Elementary School felt that class sizes were “unreasonable” while teachers at Mercer County Intermediate School said they felt uncomfortable raising issues.
• Approved buying three propane-powered buses for the 2017–18 school year. The buses, which hold 72 passengers, will cost $283,149 and be financed through the Kentucky Interlocal School Transportation Association. Each bus will have an intercom and a camera system with an event marker and the capacity to zoom in. The district is also able to receive up to $5,000 for each propane bus they purchase.
• Heard an update on building security. The district is using $123,788 in capital outlay funds to repair cameras and install door access systems at all schools, the school office and the athletic complex. They are also using $42,638 in capital outlay funds to update the wireless network at the intermediate school.
• Approved Bethel Baptist Church's request to use Mercer County Senior High School to host church services. Bethel is currently in the process of expanding their church building.
• Okayed an out of state trip for the FFA chapter to attend the national convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, Oct. 25–27.
• Heard an attendance report. Esther Hayslett, director of pupil personnel and safe schools, said there were 28 fewer students enrolled than last year.
The Mercer County Board of Education is at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Harlow Education Center.