Activity fee raised in revised school budget

The new Minneota School budget for 2019 is following the budget now been completed for 2018.

The only major difference is that the money from the School Bond Issue (elementary renovation project) was included last year, and won’t show up in the budget this year.

Instead, Supt. Dan Deitte said the General Fund in 2018 was $5,977.413 and for 2019 it’s proposed at $5,801,040.

The Food Service budget is roughly the same at $303,200 this year and the Community Service budget for 2019 also is nearly a duplicate to 2018 at $155,317.

“We got the proceeds from the bond issue last year, making that budget look so much more,” he said.

“Because of when we received the funds, it was included in the 2018 budget.

“We’ve already got the money and we’re spending it,” said Deitte.

Among recent changes to the new budget, Supt. Deitte told the board were:

•Health Insurance will decrease by five percent this coming year. •Teacher salaries will be up $20,000. •We’re going to decrease the number of substitutes.

•We won’t have as many para-professionals as we’ve had in the past.

•We’re still watching the participation numbers for C squad teams to determine if C squad coaches are needed.

•We saved money by no longer needing a Honeywell contract (as was needed in the past). •There will be a reduced “tech” budget.

•A new 10-passenger van is being purchased to replace the old one. •Meal usage is going down, which is good because more families can afford lunches, but it takes a cut out of the school’s meal usage.

•For the first time in 10 years, we are changing our activities fee (participation fees). “I don’t remember ever changing it,” said Supt. Deitte. The current fees were $45 for junior high and $55 for senior high.

“Everything goes up $5,” said Board Chairman Dawn Van Keulen as the board approved a small increase. The board also agreed to raise the band rental fee from $40 to $45.

•Revenues are going down because the number of students is going down. (Deitte budgeted about eight or nine less students than last year).

•Cuts were made in some positions, such as the Spanish position, which was cut in total hours. That will help the district save money. The superintendent will continue to tweak the budget for the coming year.