2013 Mill Levy FACTS Presented: June 3, 2013 Lincoln Elementary School Community Information Meeting

How is the budget need determined? Last year’s general fund budget amount $64,285,612 Included the use of reserves of $598,579 Anticipated estimated increases: Minimum Wage Salary Schedule Health Insurance Operational Costs Etc. $1,259,350 New general fund budget amount needed to maintain comprehensive programming and staffing $65,544,962 + =

How is revenue determined? Last year’s local and state allocations w/o reserves $63,687,033 Additional STATE FUNDING: Factors: *Enrollment *Funding Formula Changes SB 175 $971,131 -$104,950 flow through data $ $866,181 New amount $64,553,214 + =

Compare the two: Last year’s general fund budget amount Anticipated estimated increases: Minimum Wage Salary Schedule Insurance Operational costs Etc. New general fund budget amount needed $65,544,962 Last year’s local and state allocations State Funding New revenue amount $64,553,214 $991,748 SHORTFALL = = + +

Budget Committee Community MembersSchool Staff Members Audrey FinlaysonFred Anderson Barbara GoingScott Gray R.J. HaffnerRyan Hart Carol JuneauDebbie Holman Vinney PurpuraKerry Parsons Janet SmithLaurie Pipinich Dana Sondergaard Sherri Lauver Ann Janikula Bob Moretti Mike Picking Thursday, January 24Thursday, March 7 Thursday, February 21Thursday, March 14 Thursday, February 28

$991,748 Shortfall + 3 Ours $842,000 = $1,833,748 needed

- Use of reserves again (Impact Aid) $600,000 - Staffing cuts that can be made as per enrollment $252,000 = Shortfall $981,748 Levy $981,748 Balanced Approach: reserves, cuts and levy Levy Increase over State Allocation: 1.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

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. Spendable reserves put into general fund budget to $937, $1,054, $598, $600,000 Total$3,190,288

Can’t the District easily cut more? Reductions and cuts $2,650, $614, $311, $1,800, $500,000 Total$5,876, 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. FISCAL YEAR TOTAL K-12 VOTED LEVY ApprovedApplied mills22.47 mills $2,087, mills22.74 mills $2,052, mills5.35 mills $1,200,029$459, mills8.86 mills $ 749, mills6.51 mills $ 559,141$555, mills6.80 mills $ 905,985$586, mills8.19 mills $ 753,271$729, mills0 mills $ 732,664$ No levy0 mills $ mills6.15 mills $ 1,835,264$596, Levy failed0 Mills $ No levy0 Mills $ mills8.18 mills $ 895, Levy failed0 mills (SB 329) $ No levy0 mills $0

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.

…which also impacts drop-out rates.

Q: Aren’t our district teachers and administrators paid too much? A: GFPS salaries are the 3rd lowest of AA districts. Teachers by Salary Superintendent by Salary Administrators by Student: Assistant Superintendents, Directors (Business, Student Services, HR, Technology, Curriculum), Coordinators (HPE/Athletics, Special Education), Supervisor of B&G Superintendent by Student

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: