The Celina Board of Education held its monthy meeting on Monday May 19th. To view this meeting in its entirety:

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The following is an AI Generated summary of the Celina Board of Education meeting:

1. Celina City School District Board of Education Meeting: Financial Forecast, Facilities Update, and Administrative Rehire

• Meeting Opening and Attendance
  The meeting was called to order at 6 o’clock, beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call confirmed the presence of Mr. Clouse, Mr. Schleucher, Mr. Huber, Mrs. Sommer, and Mr. Huelsman. The agenda was set and approved by motion and vote.
• Facilities Update
  Phil provided an update on the pre-K-6 building project. Construction is progressing, with most concrete slabs poured and interior work underway, including wall framing and classroom identification. Four groups of staff toured the building to view progress. Major work on driveways and parking lots is scheduled for the summer when students are not present. Construction is proceeding from the inside out, and as long as materials are available, daily improvements are being made. No significant material issues were reported.
• Public Notice: Rehiring of Tracey Dammeyer
  Brooke read a public notice as required by revised code 3307.353 regarding the board’s consideration to rehire Administrator Tracey Dammeyer, who will retire effective June 30, 2025, to the special education director position from which she is retiring. The board will hold a public meeting on this re-employment at Celina High School in the lecture hall this summer.
• Public Participation
  The agenda allowed for public participation, but there were no participants at this meeting.
• Treasurer’s Five-Year Financial Forecast Presentation
  The treasurer presented the five-year forecast, including cash balances, revenue sources, expenditure breakdowns, and projections. Key figures: Fiscal year beginning cash balance was $12.9 million, with a projected ending balance of $16.1 million. Revenue sources: 57% from local taxes (real estate, public utility, and income tax), 39% from state funding (including state share of property taxes, reimbursements, and restricted funds), and 4% from other operating revenue (interest income, school fees, etc.). Expenditures: 79% personnel (expected to rise to 80-82% as purchase service costs are projected to decrease slightly). By 2027, the cash balance is projected at $18.1 million with a $613,000 gain; by two years later, the cash balance is projected at $14.8 million with $2.2 million in deficit spending. These projections assume all levies are passed and renewed.
• Revenue and Expenditure Trends
  Historical revenue growth has averaged just over 3%, but is projected to be less than 1% going forward. Expenditures historically decreased by 2.14% due to federal COVID relief funds offsetting general fund expenses, but are now projected to increase by over 5% annually as those federal funds end and costs return to the general fund.
• Cash on Hand and Enrollment Trends
  The district’s cash on hand improved from just over two months (2021-2023) to a projected three to six months (2024-2029), assuming levies pass. Projected district enrollment is expected to decrease over time, a trend attributed to smaller family sizes in the area, which will increase per pupil costs.
• Per Pupil Expenditure and Local Taxpayer Burden
  The current daily cost per pupil is $82. Local taxpayers cover the majority of per pupil expenditures, as shown by the breakdown of resident property owner contributions versus state support.
• Forecast Variance and Impact of Levies
  A comparison of the May and November forecasts showed higher interest income, slight increases in taxes and income tax, and a decrease in state revenue. The forecast is highly dependent on the passage of renewal and replacement levies, which contribute up to $12 million annually. Without these levies, the financial outlook would be significantly worse.
• State Funding and Legislative Uncertainty
  State funding is assumed flat in the forecast, with only $112,000 growth over two years. Legislative proposals may alter property tax and state funding formulas, with the Senate proposal expected by June 1. The treasurer noted that most treasurers anticipate needing to update forecasts before November due to potential major impacts from state budget changes.
• Need for Future Forecast Updates
  Due to legislative uncertainty and possible changes to state funding and property tax relief, another financial forecast update may be required before November, depending on the outcome of state budget negotiations.

Conclusion

1. Agenda approved and meeting commenced.
2. Construction is on schedule with daily improvements; major exterior work planned for summer.
3. Public notice issued; board will consider re-employment of Tracey Dammeyer at this meeting.
4. No public participation.
5. Financial outlook is stable if levies pass; deficit spending projected if not.
6. Expenditure growth is projected to outpace revenue, creating a potential financial problem.
7. Cash position is healthy if levies pass; declining enrollment increases per pupil costs.
8. Local taxpayers are the primary financial support for per pupil costs.
9. Passage of levies is critical to maintaining financial stability.

2. Board meeting covering financial approvals, personnel actions, contract negotiations, policy adoptions, and capital project planning.

• Negotiations with Classified Union
  Brooke and another administrator are engaged in ongoing negotiations with the classified union, scheduled for all day Wednesday and Thursday. The outcome may impact the district’s budget and planning.
• Salary and Benefits Forecast
  The forecast includes anticipated increases in salary and benefits, and the treasurer expressed confidence that these projections are accounted for in the financial outlook.
• Approval of Minutes and Financial Reports
  The board was asked to approve the minutes of April 14th, the April 25th cash summary report, the April bank reconciliation report, checks written for April, FY21-25 permanent improvements, the five-year forecast, and a five-year contract for copy machines.
• Bank Reconciliation Report
  The April bank reconciliation report includes $51,597,801.54 allocated for the building project.
• Five-Year Contract for Copy Machines
  Approval was sought and granted for a five-year contract with 4U office for leasing, maintenance, and service of copy machines across all district buildings, with a total cost up to $400,000 over five years (approximately $6,000 per month), representing a significant savings compared to previous arrangements.
• Acceptance of Donations
  The board accepted various donations, including $1,000 from 8 Mile Creek Properties for the Celina FFA Banquet, $500 from Mercer County Civic Foundation, $500 from Cheryl Harner, $500 from Wabash Mutual Telephone, $500 from Mercer County Civic/Celina Moose Lodge 1473, $10,000 anonymous donation to TriStar for bullpen improvements, $1,050 in-kind donation from Stockler Concrete to TriStar, $500 from Mercer Savings Bank to the Celina High School Art Department, $500 from Midwest Electric to the Celina Middle School Robotics Club, $558 from Celina VFW 5713 for Class of 2025 academic fees, $5,068.47 from Celina Moose Lodge 1473 for Class of 2025 academic fees, $500 from Celina Combined School PTO to CES, $3,987.83 anonymous donation to donor-specific CMS lunch accounts, and new uniforms from the band boosters to the Celina Marching Band.
• Establishment of Capital Projects Fund (Fund 070)
  The board approved the creation of Fund 070 for accumulating resources for the acquisition, construction, or improvement of fixed assets, including bus purchases and athletic facilities such as a new track and soccer field improvements. Funding sources include annual transfers from district funds (general fund or permanent improvement fund) and external gifts. The process for determining transfer amounts will be addressed at the next meeting. The fund allows for flexibility, as money can be transferred back to the original fund if not used, but transfers must be justified with a plan and are subject to auditor review.
• Personnel Actions and Contracts
  The board approved new hires, contract renewals (one-year, three-year, continuing), resignations, retirements, and supplementals. Special mention was made of the hiring of Emma Guggenbiller, who was present at the meeting with her mother, a current teacher in the district. The personnel attachment included detailed groupings by contract type and compliance with legal requirements for classified staff contract progression.
• Approval of Summer Help and School Year Extensions
  The board approved summer help, extended school year service, and summer school directors and teachers to support summer school programming.
• Approval of Stipends
  The board approved stipends for staff serving on the local professional development executive committee and for resident educator mentors for 2025, including staff who were missed in the previous round.
• Administrative Salary Schedules
  The board approved moving certain administrative positions from cluster-based salary schedules to salary ranges, based on market research of comparable districts and sustainability considerations. Positions affected include the career development/adult education coordinator (TriStar) and athletic director. The new salary range structure allows for more flexibility in merit raises and contract adjustments.
• Head Start Approvals
  The board approved several Head Start-related items, including the retention incentive policy and up to 35 additional hours at $42.67 per hour for HR staff, due to the newness of the position and increased workload. The additional hours are funded from the federal Head Start budget.
• Policy Adoptions
  The board adopted policies that had a first reading at a previous meeting. Most policies are dictated by law, with limited options for customization, and were developed with guidance from NEOLA.
• Executive Session
  The board moved into executive session to discuss compensation.

Conclusion

1. Salary and benefits increases are accounted for in the forecast.
2. All reports and contracts were approved as presented.
3. Copy machine contract approved, expected to yield significant savings over five years.
4. All donations were accepted as listed.
5. Resolution to create Fund 070 approved; transfer amounts to be determined at the next meeting, with a plan required for auditor compliance.
6. Personnel actions approved as presented, including new hires, contract renewals, and summer positions.
7. Approvals granted for summer help and related positions.
8. Stipends for committee and mentor roles approved.
9. Salary range changes and related contracts approved for administrative positions.
10. All Head Start items approved, including up to 35 additional hours at $42.67 per hour for HR staff.
11. Policies adopted as presented.

Next Arrangements

•  Board to consider and potentially approve the rehire of Tracy Dammeyer as special education director.
•  Major construction work on pre-K-6 driveways and parking lots scheduled for summer.
•  Await Senate proposal on state funding and property tax changes by June 1, which may require a new financial forecast before November.
•  Prepare for possible updated financial forecast before November, depending on legislative outcomes.
•  Negotiations with the classified union scheduled for all day Wednesday and Thursday; outcome may impact budget and planning.
•  At the next meeting, the board will determine and present the amount to be transferred to the new capital projects fund (Fund 070), with a plan for justification and compliance.