BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE — School Finance Director Brian Esposito said the increase in student funding is not what it appears, and the district is facing additional funding challenges.
According to Esposito, the large increase in the base student allocation has given false hope that there has been a significant increase in funding. He said most funds for categorical expenses were removed from the state funding formula, and those funds were rolled into the base student allocation. But that does not mean the district is free to spend those funds.
They are still restricted to pay for teacher salary increases as well as instructional materials, classroom supplies and a comprehensive reading plan, etc. Districts must, for example, continue raising base teacher pay to at least $47,500 or the maximum amount achievable based on the annual increase. For Bradford, that amounts to nearly $254,000 next year on top of another $814,000 allocated to maintain salary increases from prior years.
Other categorical expenses now being paid out of the base student allocation include the $300 each full-time teacher receives for classroom supplies, more than $258,000 for instructional materials and nearly $266,000 for reading. Add to that the new charter school budget of more than $957,000, and the total impact of these changes to the school district’s next budget is $2.6 million.
Esposito said the effect of the state removing income limits on school choice vouchers district is yet to be determined. It could mean more families opt for private schools. The reserve for these Family Empowerment Scholarships is more than $3.2 million of the $34.5 million general operating budget.
Changes to the Florida Retirement System, including expansions of the DROP program and employer-funded contributions are increasing rates. Property and casualty insurance, health insurance and utility costs are also up significantly, Esposito said.
During its first public budget hearing, the school board approved a property tax rate of 5.4340 mills, which was less than this year’s millage rate but 2.33% higher than the rolled back rate. Locally generated revenue contributes nearly $8.48 million to the budget, while state revenue is $36.6 million and federal revenue is $13.6 million. That totals $58.7 million plus more than $10.3 million in fund balance.
The district’s $69.5 million in expenses includes $19.8 million in instructional costs, $15.4 million in construction costs, $7 million in operational and maintenance costs, $2.4 million in food services, $2 million in school administration, $1.8 million in pupil personnel services, $1.17 million in instructional and curriculum development services, $1 million in staff training, and more.
The final public budget hearing will take place at 5:01 p.m. on Sept. 11.
