Cornell School Board; Fund balance in good shape if anything pops up

Lyle Briggs, Cornell School Board president, takes notes during the annual budget hearing Oct. 25, with good reports on the district finances. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

Finances for the Cornell School District remain in good shape, as reported at the annual budget meeting Oct. 25, followed by the regular school board meeting.

“We haven’t seen a lot of changes in how we do things, as far as our budget,” said superintendent Paul Schley.

When looking at the later-approved $1,492,881 property tax level for general operations, the district’s mill rate is set at $6.78 per $1,000 of property, up slightly from last year’s mill rate of 6.74.

“We’re still lower than many,” said Schley of the mill rate.

With a “funding cliff,” the state gave the district a zero increase in aid or the revenue limit per student, because of all the COVID federal money received prior to now. Despite that, Schley says Cornell should be alright, as they have a cushion to fall back on.

“We really don’t know what’s going to happen,” he said. “Next year, might be an ugly year.”

Schley expounded on the beginning of the General Fund (Fund 10) balance of $1.76 million, as opposed to the ending $2 million, as a good highlight for the 2020-21 year.

“Now, that is not a cash balance, remember, that is simply a fiscal assets, minus liabilities, as of June 30,” he said. “And, so we have that, in case we get into dire straits, like financially, we don’t have to worry about short-term borrowing, which we haven’t done in years, because we have enough cash balance.” So far, Schley anticipates that next year, the district will have a little more to put into the fund balance, even with the unknowns, such as gas prices driving up expenses for heating and transportation. As for Capital Projects (Fund 46), that’s where money for the track, tennis courts and football field improvements came from, as well as paying for the Mill Yard youth baseball field fencing or money for repairs if the boilers unexpectedly go down.

“We’re still going to have almost $3.7 million left over at the end of the year, which is a really healthy Fund 46 balance, especially for a school our size,” said Schley.

When speaking about the work on the track and tennis courts, Schley said the first course of pavement was laid down to settle over the winter, and the project will be completed in the spring.

“That’s been a big project, consuming a lot of time,” said Schley.

Thanks to expert Al Harp, who has been at the track every day when the work is in progress, to make sure it’s going right, mistakes have been caught before it was too late to fix them, such as surveying issues. Harp even put in a reinforcement to the culvert at the south end of the track himself.

“He’s just making sure everything’s right for us,” said Schley. “It’s been amazing having him out there for us.

Because the track complex is named for him and he wanted to help, former coach and track athlete in his own right, Eino Martino, gave a $5,000 donation to help the track program. In his youth, Martino ran hurdles and with Cornell needing new hurdles, the donation was designated toward that.

“So, that’s what the plan is,” said Schley.

In the business portion of the annual elector-run meeting, the rate of pay to board members increased from $180 per meeting, to $190 per meeting. The motion passed, with six in favor and three opposed.

Following that, in the regular meeting, a public hearing was held to collect comments on the early start date for the 2022-23 school year, with approval to request a waiver from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). It was proposed at the hearing, to begin the next school year Aug. 24.

Ashley Carothers, district parent, says she would like to see the start date in the middle of August, because of the “summer slide.” Board clerk Eileen Sikora said many parents told her they’d like to start earlier.

Stephanie Seidlitz, board treasurer, says the reason Cornell didn’t start early this year, was that staff thought it was too early.

“What’s best for the kids?” asked middle/ high school principal Dave Elliott. “I’ve nothing against the staff, but that’s what we look at first.”

Carothers said, to her way of thinking, since Cornell is a property poor district and many summer food programs end around that time in August, there might be kids going hungry without school meals to sustain them.

“I know, as a mom, I did enjoy starting that two weeks earlier, they’re ready to go back,” said Seidlitz. “By the middle of May, they’re ready to be out.”

Elliott mentioned that fall sports practices are already in full swing, so the kids are in the school anyway and one week won’t make a difference in how hot the school gets.

“Do you think it’ll be much of a problem to get a waiver this year?” asked board president Lyle Briggs.

Schley said there is new administration with the DPI, but that the organization has stated it will grant waivers. However, the sooner the waiver request gets to the DPI, the better.

Nicole Schwingle, district parent and food service employee with the district, said she wants to see classes start earlier, because the kids were burnt out by the end of the school year. With no break the second half of the year, Schwingle said it was just too much for the kids’ mental state.

Schley said they can build days off into the calendar later on and just apply for the waiver request now. Members agreed that is a good way to do it and granted permission for the waiver request be sent to the DPI, for an Aug. 17 start date.

“If we can balance that with starting earlier, that would be great,” said Schwingle.

Members also approved the hire of boys high school basketball head coach Steve Parker; and high school co-golf head coaches Megan Bitney and Dwayne Mosley.

Elliott reported that a blood drive was scheduled to be held at the high school, but the Red Cross didn’t have enough workers, so Elliott is hoping to reschedule the event. He also mentioned that it was great to see the Spirit Club get a fan bus together for the recent Regional volleyball game that took place at Turtle Lake, as some kids don’t have a way to get to some events.

“I know who could never go to a game away,” said Elliott. “That always makes me feel good that these kids have that opportunity to be part of something.”

Elliott also said they are having good success with the high school involved Excel program and are seeing kids who’ve never seen passing grades, getting the passing grades. Through the program, teachers are going home later and giving up lunches. Elliott said it’s nice for the students to get privileges, but there’s more to the program.

“Bottom line, it’s getting the kids one-onone with the teacher when they need to be there,” said Elliott.

He also said five district kids are heading to the National FFA Convention, which will provide enriching experiences for the students.

“So, I’m excited for them,” said Elliott.

Schley said overall, school is going well and that the district is doing good with COVID- 19 cases, as only six are on quarantine currently, not isolation.

Letting her fellow members know the outcome, Sikora says she didn’t get elected to the Wisconsin Association of School Boards director position she ran for.

“I’m just glad you ran for the position, because we don’t know if we can do something until we try do it,” said Schley.