Luverne School Board releases preliminary budget

Luverne Public Schools will carry over more than $1.6 million into the 2015-2016 school year.
Marlene Mann, district business manager, presented board members with next year’s preliminary budget at their regular meeting Thursday night, June 25.
“We have all funds 91 percent already spent,” she said.
As of June 30, the district has spent $16,667,094 out of a budget of $18,329,108 this school year. Rolling over into next year’s budget on July 1 will be $1,662,013.
Mann cautioned the carryover doesn’t include June expenditures, including costs of the current upgrades to the agricultural classrooms and the library.
 “We will be spending over our budget this year,” Mann said.
The revised final budget will be presented to board members at a later date.
Mann said the district would receive a 2-percent increase in state funding for the 2015-16 school year.
However, she cautioned the amount would be dependent on future student enrollment.
“If we had the same number of students as last year … we’ll have about $150,000 in additional monies,” she said.
 
In other action, board members:
•Increased bus driver compensation 3 to 3.5 percent. Regular route and Sioux Falls route drivers will earn $81 per day, an increase from $78.50 per day. Preschool and kindergarten route drivers will earn $37.50 per day, up $1 from the previous rate. Activity trip drivers will earn $13 per hour, up from $12.60.
•Approved the two-hour food service worker hourly rate pay to $10 for the 2015-2016 school year.
•Authorized 3.5 percent salary increases for business manager Marlene Mann to $70,569; technology coordinator Wade Hiller, $64,618; and administrative assistant/payroll clerk Brenda Teal, $45,265.
•Hired Brian Pick as grounds worker beginning June 29 at $14.35 per hour.
­­ •Changed their next meeting date to Tuesday, July 21, at 7 p.m. Community input begins at 6:30 p.m.