Posted: 10/24/06
Auditor: School district in ëgood shapeí
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
ISD #299 board members heard good news from auditor Darwin Viker at their October 16 meeting.
Viker, who works for the firm of LarsonAllen of Austin, Minnesota, gave an hour-long presentation on the 2005-06 audit report to the board. The board then voted to accept it.
The district has an unreserved fund balance of $684,081 as of June 30, 2006. This is an increase of $322,787 from 2005, and is 9% of expenditures. That means the district has met its goal of having 8% of expenditures in its unreserved fund.
ìWeíre in good shape,î Viker said. But he cautioned the board several times that he has seen such fund balances disappear quickly. ìHow long can we sustain it?î he asked.
Viker said he sees a lot of fraud and theft in his job. He encouraged board members to take their oversight duties seriously when doing things like reviewing journal entries.
Superintendent Michael Moriarty said he reviews electronic transfers. ìIím pretty involved in this,î he said. ìI review that stuff a lot.î
Part of the reason for the good financial news is that the State of Minnesota is in good financial shape, Viker said.
Here are some other highlights from the audit report:
ï Per pupil funding increased 4% during the fiscal year, and the district cut about $100,000 from the 2004-05 budget due to declining enrollment projections.
ï The district received about $200,000 in unanticipated revenue.
ï An operating levy referendum that the district passed in 2002 has allowed the district to maintain a higher level of staffing.
The general fund balance has made a $925,000 turn-around since 2002, when the district was in statutory operating debt with a negative fund balance of $240,692. Since that year the fund balances were $261,939 in 2003, $350,836 in 2004, $361,294 in 2005, and $684,081 in 2006.
Contracts approved
In other business, the board approved two year contracts for the school support staff at 3% per year.
Community education director Nancy Runningen received a two year contract that has a 3% salary increase per year. Her 2006-07 salary will be $52,297.89, and her 2007-08 salary will be $53,866.83.
Runningen also accepted a contract as the FCCLA advisor for the 2006-07 school year at $2,829.22. She replaces Sally Mensink, who is no longer at the school.
The districtsí three principals received two year contracts that have salary increases of 3% each year. The district will increase its payment into their 403b plans by $200 each year.
Elementary principal/curriculum development coordinator Connie Hesse will receive $75,726.10 in 2006-07 and $77,997.88 in 2007-08.
Middle school principal/special education coordinator/work experience coordinator Brian Doty will receive $77,156.06 in 2006-07 and $79,470.74 in 2007-08.
High school principal Ron Helmers will receive $82,997.40 in 2006-07 and $85,487.32 in 2007-08.
The district will go to two principals when the contracts expire, Moriarty said. No discussion has taken place on which principal would be eliminated.
Coaching contracts approved
The board approved the following winter sports coaching contracts.
Wrestling: Jay Tolleson, head coach, $3,499.47; Ken Stemper, junior high, $1,887.91; Dan Goergen, junior high, $1,570.76. Houston School District pays for the assistant coach.
Boys basketball: Josh Diersen, head coach, $3,339.58; Nathan Wurm, assistant, $2,173.80; Charlie Reed, ninth grade, $1,570.26; Dan Reinhart, junior high, $1,887.91; Jeremy Leis, junior high, $1,570.26.
Girls basketball: Scott Sorenson, head coach, $3,499.47; Carl Fruechte, assistant, $2,491.45; Sara Fruechte, ninth grade, 1/2 at $1,570.26; Kevin Klug, junior high, 1/5 at $1,729.09; Mitch Mullins, junior high, 1/4 at $1,729.09.
Gymnastics: Paul Stevens, head coach, $3,499.47. The assistant gymnastics position is still open.
Personnel changes
The board accepted the resignation of John Lukach as network administrator effective October 31. They then approved the hiring of Evan Thimmesch at $35,000 for a 12 month contract. Thimmesch, who lives in La Crescent, is a 2006 graduate of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.
In a related item, the board approved a 90 day contract with Open Technologies for administration and support of the schoolís Solaris computer system at a cost of $8,000. This will be helpful while Thimmesch becomes familiar with the system, Moriarty said.
Other business
ï Band/choir trip: The board approved a band choir trip to New York City for March 23-28, 2007. A maximum of 100 students can attend from grades 9-12, plus 10 chaperones. Board member Barb Hurley said that all expenses would be paid by band and choir members.
ìThatís a lot of work. [I] Appreciate it,î Schulte told choir director Elliot Kranz and band director Carrie Erickson.
ï Trophy case: The board approved a request by the Caledonia Wrestling Club to install a new trophy case in the school. The 6'x8' case will be located in the hallway to the second gym.
ï Snow removal bid: The board accepted a snow removal bid from Meyer Lawn and Snow Service for two years. It was the only bid submitted, but Moriarty said it was competitive with bids from other years.
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