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Presented: June 3, 2013 Lincoln Elementary School Community Information Meeting. 2013 Mill Levy FACTS. How is the 2013-2014 budget need determined?. +. =. How is revenue determined?. +. =. Compare the two:. +. =. +. =. $991,748 SHORTFALL. Budget Committee.
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Presented: June 3, 2013 Lincoln Elementary School Community Information Meeting 2013 Mill Levy FACTS
Compare the two: + = + = $991,748 SHORTFALL
Budget Committee Community Members School Staff Members • Audrey Finlayson Fred Anderson • Barbara Going Scott Gray • R.J. Haffner Ryan Hart • Carol Juneau Debbie Holman • Vinney Purpura Kerry Parsons • Janet Smith Laurie Pipinich • Dana Sondergaard • Sherri Lauver • Ann Janikula • Bob Moretti • Mike Picking Thursday, January 24 Thursday, March 7 Thursday, February 21 Thursday, March 14 Thursday, February 28
Balanced Approach:reserves, cuts and levy Levy Increase over State Allocation: 1.5%
Q: Why doesn’t the District just spend its reserves?A: Most reserves are not savings accounts. They are flow-through accounts and can’t be spent on general fund expenditures. They are restricted in their use.The District has no bond debt that tax payers have to pay for because the reserves that can be spent are spent on maintaining assets (like buildings). If spend ALL reserves, then what? BIG levies needed to pay for the on-going costs.
Can’t the District easily cut more? • 50 teachers cut in the last 5 years • 6 clerical staff members in the last 6 years • Several aides and paraprofessionals cut as well
Q: The District asks for a levy every year. Why?A: In the last 7 years, a levy has been requested 4 times. Of those 4 times, the levy passed twice. In the last 7 years, taxpayers have had to pay additional taxes for their public schools twice. From the 98/99 school year to the 05/06 school year, a levy was passed each year.
Q: Great Falls seems to spend a lot on education. How does it compare to other AA districts?A: Great Falls spends the lowest per student of all AA districts.
…and our students are challenged by poverty more than other AA districts.
Q: Aren’t our district teachers and administrators paid too much?A: GFPS salaries are the 3rd lowest of AA districts. Superintendent by Student Superintendent by Salary Administrators by Student: Assistant Superintendents, Directors (Business, Student Services, HR, Technology, Curriculum), Coordinators (HPE/Athletics, Special Education), Supervisor of B&G Teachers by Salary
A few last things… • Ballots mailed to voters on June 10. • Be sure to mail your ballot by June 21 for the June 25 election. • Ballots may be dropped off at the Expo Park on June 25. • Check out the District’s levy website for more information: www.gfps.k12.mt.us