Warden School Board approves 2019-20 budget

By CHERYL SCHWEIZER

For The Sun Tribune

WARDEN — The Warden School District will be spending $15,873,162 for the 2019-20 school year. The Warden School Board approved the budget at its regular meeting Thursday.

The budget includes a $15,076,123 general fund, $325,039 in the Associated Student Body fund, a $260,000 capital projects fund, and $212,000 in the transportation vehicle fund.

Ending balance for 2019-20 is projected to be $795,229. General fund revenues were projected at $13,471,452, which may require the district to draw from its reserves.

The general fund pays for most school operations and maintenance, from teacher and aide salaries to textbooks to carpet cleaner. Money in the transportation vehicle fund can be spent only to buy school buses. The capital projects fund includes money from a levy approved by voters in April to improve security and technology.

Veronica Perez, the director of business and operations, said the budget is based on a projected enrollment of the equivalent of 890 students. Enrollment has fluctuated over the last 10 years, but has dropped every school year since 2015-16. Enrollment for 2018-19 was the equivalent of 895 students. State-funded basic school support is based on a formula estimating the number of students attending school full-time.

Board members also approved the fee schedule for 2019-20.

Perez said facility rental fees will remain the same as the 2018-19 school year. Most non-profit agencies are not charged a fee to use most facilities. Private companies are charged according to the facility rented, from $10 for an hour’s use for regular classrooms, to $100 for an hour for the football field. Custodian and kitchen supervision, if needed, are extra.

District officials purchased software that will allow them to track rentals of the cafeteria and gym, Perez said, and a report will be presented to the school board.

Most student fees are unchanged from 2018-19, Perez said. Some Warden High School classes will institute dues, and the WHS drama club also will charge dues. Fees for ASB cards will be the same as 2018-19, $15 for sixth-graders and $25 for junior high and high school students.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columibabasinherald.com