Roseville School Board to Examine Impact of Delayed State Funds

What will be the financial impact of the new state education law on Roseville Area Schools? 

Members of the Roseville District 623 School Board will ponder that question at their first meeting of the new school year tonight (Thursday).

The State Legislature’s decision to delay 40 percent of state aid to local districts—an increase from the current 30 percent – will reduce the district’s cash flow by approximately $4 million, according to Barbara L. Anderson, assistant director of budget and financing for the district.

Other changes that will impact the district include:

• a funding increase of $50 per student each year of the biennium, which will be used primarily to cover the cost of borrowing money for operating costs;
• a waiver of a requirement to spend at least 2 percent of general education revenue as prescribed by law has been extended through 2012-13, giving districts more flexibility;
• requirements pertaining to spending on counselors and other support staff have been eliminated;
• a literacy incentive rewards districts for reaching proficiency goals in third-grade literacy;
• the elimination of the current integration program and establishment of a task force to recommend ways to repurpose integration revenue;
• the elimination of the Jan. 15 deadline for teacher contract settlement.

The School  Board will consider these changes when adopting its final revised budget in January 2012, Anderson said. The district does not finalize its budget until teacher and other employee contracts are settled.

The Board meeting will be at 6 p.m. at the District Center, 1251 County Road B2 W, Roseville.  (The time has been changed from the regular 6:30 p.m. start time).