The final 2016-17 budget was approved along with salary increases for all staff for the 2017-18 school year by the Neenah Joint School District Board of Education at its June 20 meeting.
Final budget numbers were calculated based on knowledge of 2016-17 federal project budgets, final reconciliation of open enrollment students and allocation of a portion of flow-through carry over funds. There was no change to the District’s property tax levy. The final budget will likely see a surplus of over $1 million. Prior to July 31, a payment of $1 million will be made to Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) fund and the remainder of the surplus will be deposited into the Long Term Capital Improvement Trust fund.
For the fifth consecutive year, salary increases include pools of dollars for a 2 percent increase to salaries and a 2 percent increase for stipends. Total increases for employees amount to $1.36 million. Pay grades were escalated for non-certified staff employees in the positions of Human Resources Administrative Assistant/Absence Management Coordinator and Help Desk Specialist. The Director of Business Services was also elevated to an Assistant District Administrator title and pay grade.
In other action, hires were approved for Kristen Burger as an elementary English Language Learner teacher and Sarah Tennie as a school counselor at Tullar and Coolidge. Tullar teacher Chris Gardner will also transition to a non-certified position as an Educational Assistant at Tullar.
The Board also approved legal services contracts for 2017-18 with the same firms as this past year. Paul Hemmer from Sheboygan was also added as a backup independent hearing officer.
The next meeting is set for July 18.
|