05/13/2026 Fiscal Committee Meeting

001By the way, I locked the door. Just unlocked the door just >> unmute it. >> Yeah, we're unmuted. >> All right, we'll get this meeting started just 30 seconds early. So, this is the opening of the meeting. >> Carl, we have to wait until 5:30. >> We do have to wait till 5:30. Okay. I'm sorry. >> Sorry. >> You'll have to forgive me. Thank you. >> I'll try to find it in my heart. It is now 5:30 and we will open this meeting of the fiscal committee on Wednesday, May 13th at 5:30 + 10 seconds. Uh, we got no public comment. We don't see anybody here. So, we'll go to properties owned by WUSD. >> Sure. So, I will jump in here. Um, what was shared in public? Um, public content. What are all of

002the properties that were are owned by the school district? Um, nothing very surprising. All have buildings on them, but two. And so, the one is 826 Endeavor Drive, and that is the land across the street from the high school. I know there has been some talk in the past about possible building site and so on for that. So I think you are all aware of that land. >> Here we go Carl down the rabbit hole. The la the next one is a property owned on County Road X. Now, I put several documents in here because I actually went to um Jefferson County Register of Deeds and found some information out. So, this is a point 39 acre parcel right out there on Highway X. Um it has a sign up right now that says the

003Whitney Cemetery. So, the school district owns the cemetery. So, again, the question is why do we own a cemetery? And I wish I could give you more information, but the cemetery was purchased in 1898 from CM Whitney, which is the deed that you will see here all in handwritten because they don't even have electronic versions of this. Um, we for $50. Um, there is a schoolhouse on the property. So, if you drive past it, you will see the schoolhouse. the schoolhouse. My guess is that sometime it was in operation in 1973. We um sold that schoolhouse, that building to the neighbor behind. So currently the neighbor behind that property does all of the maintenance on the property itself from lawnmowing and so on and he now owns the building. So Carl and I actually chatted

004a little bit about what is the cost of this property to us. There is zero cost because there is no maintenance and since there is no longer a structure on the land, it is covered by insurance in case somebody goes out there involved, but there's not an additional premium because there is no bill on it. So [clears throat] um there were some there might be some questions about what we do for it and with it. So, we're talking about the cemetery out on Highway X, right Craig? >> Y >> um and here are the options. We could sell it. >> Okay. But a >> who wants to buy a cemetery? >> Thank you, Tammy, because that's exactly my thought, too. And I don't even know the first inkling of how to sell a cemetery, right?

005We could donate it. My first thought was Jefferson County. So when I was there, I had inquired at Jefferson County, would you be interested in this? And they said, no, we have to maintain it. We don't want it. Then the thought came up, would the neighbor behind who is maintaining it be interested? Potentially, but we have to kind of do some forward thinking on this of his. Can somebody that's on here let the person >> I think you're the only person that can let him >> I will um if we give donate this to the neighbor which I don't even know if he wants this but if we donate this to that neighbor does this change his valuation of his property because now he has a cemetery on his property and would that affect him

006correct would that affect him in the long term Well, I will say what I know about owning a cemetery, like if you have a cemetery on your property, your government cannot tax you as a homeowner. So, the city might not allow that. >> Yeah. And so, I mean, if that is something we want to pursue, I can for sure get in touch with that land owner. But as I sat with this, because this was several weeks ago that I kind of went over there and got all of this, I went, "We've owned this for since 1898 and it's never, you know, so >> yeah, whatever." >> Could there be some in the future thought about why do we have this? if a neighbor ever stops taking care of it and we now have to send

007lawnmowers out there to mow it. But right now I I don't think that there is any urgency to do something with it. But again bring up the discussion. So again those are all of the pieces there. So all of the properties are there that we own and that highway X is that new interesting one >> old old almost 130 years we've had it $50 we >> know. So again, something to consider as we move forward. Maybe we do contact the property owner and start at I don't know. What are any thoughts? >> Sounds like an awful lot of work for very little return on it. >> No, >> I don't. It says here it's 3.55 acres, right? >> It's I thought it was 3.9. Is that right? >> I'm just reading what it says. >>

008You might be right, but small. And so I actually asked when I was at Jefferson County, well, there is part land that does not have a cemetery because the cemetery is in the far back corner right now. It's zoned agricultural. Could we reszone it so somebody could put a house up where there's not a and they said maybe, but like that would be a non-conforming lot so you don't have enough space. >> Would they have to esavate the current? That might be a little touchy. >> I just I think we misled it. That's my opinion. >> So, I just my the whole point here was to make you all aware of it and >> we appreciate that. >> Thank you. I thought that was going to take 20 minutes. You guys are okay with this.

009>> It's not any historical society wants it. I guess we just keep oning it until it becomes a pain and then we'll have to do something. >> Like I said, if somebody quits taking care of it, then we're in a different situation. But as long as somebody's maintaining it >> and it's been maintained since we g when we sold that schoolhouse in 1973, there has not been anything that I can find or expensive. >> You people all know where it is. There's a tower out there on X and it's that schoolhouse right there. >> Where it is? >> Gone by it so many times in my life. >> I pulled in the driveway. Wanted to check it out. So >> I never pulled in a driveway. Okay, that takes care of that WAR fund overview.

010>> So Wufar funding is um the way we do accounting in school districts. So, I just wanted to go through again um just trying to make you guys aware of every fund that the school district operates and what it is there for. So, I'm going to open this guy here. >> While you're doing that, what is WOOVAR stand for? >> I knew you were going to ask. Wisconsin Uniform Fund Accounting. What is the R? >> We always call it just Woo, but it's fund Accounting. So, >> thank you. Um it's whenever we code things it's the first two digits of the code that we are using. So what's a fund again? First two districts and it first two digits in the accounting code and it restricts what a fund can be used for. So these

011are the funds that we have at Watertown Unified School District. Now you as part of your monthly reports have been getting um a variance report in fund 10 and fund 27. We have just not just started but in the last year or so talking about fund 46 and so on but we're just going to go through and kind of talk about each of these. Now I put this referendum fund over here on the right. We right now do not have a capital referendum. we have an operational referendum when and if in the history we have also had a referendum fund we would then include a fund 49 but right now we don't have one. So fund 21 fund 21 is um for clubs and activities. So no taxpayer dollars nor aid goes into this account.

012It is all fundraised money. You can think of this for like the FFA, student council, something like this. And I put some examples here spending out of this fund. There has to be enough funds. So if the football team sold pizzas and now they want to buy new helmets, they have to have enough money in their fund. So it's kind of like a a checking account in that kind of way. Fund 27, you get the variance report, but this is the special education fund. This can only be used for costs associated with students with IEPs. Now, this is going to be interesting because this fund carries a negative balance most of the year. At the end of the year, we do a transfer from the general fund to actually cover that negative balance. So, the

013revenues going into here are state categorical aid. Do you notice how I put 39%? Well, that changed this week. So, that was a good thing. We've got some grants that go in here. The biggest one is the flowth through grants. We've got some highcost special education funding. And then we've got that general fund transfer that happens at the end of the year. >> If I'm not mistaken, this is when we we pay and then get reimbursed. >> Say that again. >> This is a fund that we we pay and then get reimbured from the state after we >> we are always working on past year. So right now our reimbursement for special education categorical aid is coming from last year's costs. >> Okay. >> So the business office submits the final year's costs >> and

014then they will figure out the reimbursement amount and then we get the reimbursement from the past year. >> We might also be thinking about Medicaid reimbursement. So, we build Medicaid and then that will come in and sometimes there's a lag in some of those pieces that come in as well because that is a revenue source. >> Okay. And I also didn't know that though because that costs are going up but we we get money from the previous year. So, we're still in a >> Excuse me. I want to know a little more about this Medicaid. >> Okay. We bill Medicaid for um billable services for students that qualify for Medicaid and the district receives Medicaid funding. >> Okay, very good. Go ahead. Um what was the uh what did they do they say the categorical

015aid increase was? >> So um so the the news hit and again I don't think it was voted on or passed. Am I wrong? Tomorrow >> I think the assembly is on the floor tomorrow. Um so I believe um and so what the what hit on the news was 50% reimbursement but that is some certain >> sure >> which means they put a pot of money together thousand dollars expenses always go over that pot of money. So you never realize the full percentage. >> Okay. >> So we were supposed to per the bianial budget last year be reimbured 42 and a.5%. We in the business office were looking at more like 38 to 39%. Because >> what we projected for >> but what we >> 42 and a half >> okay >> was what we

016were supposed to get per the budget. Okay. But again, they didn't put enough money in the pot and then our expenses were submitted and the expenses exceeded that. So we never realized the full percent. >> So we budgeted for 42 and a2%. >> We never budget for 42 unless it is some sufficient. When you hear the word some sufficient, they will guarantee the percentage and keep adding funds to the pot to get you to that. >> Gotcha. >> When you hear some certain, that means they're adding to the pot. They don't know what the expenses are, so they're crossing their fingers, but it never hits that actual number. >> Okay. >> So, what hit the news this week was 50% reimbursement. I am going to a conference tomorrow. What I am hearing in my circle

017is to budget more for 42%. >> Okay. >> Now, I don't know if that's reality. I'm going to be hearing a lot more. This is all new news. So, um, we'll be hearing a lot more as we go in, but we never budget unless those words some sufficient, which means it's going to be sufficient to get to that. >> So, we understate our budget by just a little bit in hopes that perhaps maybe there's there's more of a reimbursement. I when we first started budgeting for the 25 26 school year, we as business officials were hoping for about 40 to 40 and a half. >> Okay. >> As the year evolved and more school districts, the big guys are always delayed in submitting their financials, Milwaukee and so on. >> And so because of that,

018we're unsure of what those expenses are because they're always prior year. Now that everything is submitted, it was it actually brought it down farther. So, we thought we were budgeting conservatively at 40%. >> Sure. >> And then we're hearing more like 38.7%. So, again, this news that hit is very good news for us that it is funding in an area that we are seeing costs going up. >> Well, if it passes, we'll see, right? >> It will. >> Correct. So, um, yes, other questions on 27. Okay, moving forward here, we've got fund 38 and 39. Now, these are debt payments. Okay, so we just had Barrett come in and explain that we just paid off debt, and that is true. We no longer have 39 debt. We have 38 debt. So, one is a nonreferendum

019debt, one is a referendum debt. We've paid off all referendum debt. As of the April payment, um we currently have nonreferendum debt right now. So years and years and years ago, um the Wisconsin retirement system kind of increased the amount school districts owed to employees and we were put on payment plans. This was back in the '90s. Back in 2014, the Wisconsin retirement system said, "You can take out a loan from us at a much lower rate than you're making these payments at." So almost all school districts jumped on that. So because we took out this loan now at a reduced interest rate, we are making payments toward that increase in retirement funding that happened in 2014. Um and so how do we collect debt? We collect debt through the tax levy. So every year

020on the on the um revenue limit formula, you will see a fund 38 debt and a fund 39 debt. There will be a zero for the 39 payment because we no longer have that. >> So fun 38 would be um separately levied uh in in our um in our for our taxes. >> Well, I mean it's part of our part of of revenue limit >> limit. Okay. So you do not see a separate line item for this. >> If we had um a debt payment for 39 39 I believe it will say when it's paid off. >> I don't believe on our property tax bills we have a separate breakout. It wouldn't be a breakout, but it we would be allowed to >> we're we're allowed to collect >> for this debt, correct? The debt

021payment. >> So, we can adjust our levy limit for this number. >> No. >> So, we're given a number on the levy. So every student you can levy this much and then you've got vouchers and then you've got declining enrollment and then you go through this whole formula >> right >> and then at the end they give you a number and they say >> this is how much we think equalization aid is right >> the rest is going to be taxes [clears throat] >> out of all your taxes 38 is inside the revenue limit so you have to take that payment out before it goes to fund 10 >> okay >> fund 39 N since it was voter approved, it's outside the revenue. >> So that would that would >> that's a separate line item.

022>> Gotcha. >> Yes. But again, we're paid off now on all of 39, >> right? Okay. On 38. >> Yes. >> Who's the debt with? >> The debt is with the Wisconsin Retirement System. >> Okay. >> And we took out a loan back in 2014. >> Okay. >> Um let me see it. Can you guys see this? my screen is >> um and it says um in 2014 we took that out. It will mature in 2031. That's the last payment on this loan that we took out. The balance of what we owe is 1.46 million percentage. What kind of interest percentage? >> I have no idea. >> You have no idea. Okay, very good. I I can I will for sure dig and find that out, but I know back in 2014, previous to me

023being a business official again, the payments to the Wisconsin retirement were at a much higher rate than what we could just take the loan out for. >> Would this do you know if it's a fixed rate? >> I believe it is. >> Okay. >> So, this this debt is through Baird. So, I will find out what those rates are and I will, you know, inform all of you guys. >> But that it really doesn't make much difference what the rate is because >> we're locked, >> right? We're locked. >> We're locked into it no matter what, right? >> Okay. 46. 46 is a fund we've kind of talked quite a bit about. Um, our fund 46 is called the long-term capital improvement fund in Wisconsin Unified School District. This fund began in 2016, which meant

024the board made a decision in 2016 to start this fund. And there is a five-year wait period from the time you start this fund till the time that you can spend from this fund. So spending could have started in 2021. Um funds are transferred if available each year. There has not been a transfer for the last two years. I know we ran a deficit budget last year, so it doesn't make sense to do an additional transfer, but there were some transfers made in 2016 and earlier on. And right now, that balance, and you'll see it on the report, is what we are funding the high school um renovations with that balance. And right now there is zero spending coming out of it until the summer project but we are acrewing interest each month. >> Okay.

025>> And Carl is going to ask what is the interest? We have a range of different investments in this funds. So so we always are purchasing different CDs or bonds or so on. And when one matures we'll kind of invest in something else, right? And so the fund is kind of diversified and spread out that way. And again, well that this one is not through lair. This is through PMA that we have our money invested with. >> So do you get to do that? You get to do the >> So Stacy Rel is way better at looking at these. She keeps track of when things are coming due, what's available. She has the mind of an absolute mathematician. So she always kind of defers. We chat about it, but I will >> she makes she

026she she makes the call on all. >> She she and I defer like we'll we'll talk together, but our strategy is it needs to be safe investments. Government invest our school investments always have to be safe >> and we want to be looking at the best return possible. We are always looking at gaps in our funding. So again, we've got some shortterm funds, you know, that that will mature in the next we've got some mid-range. So we're looking at those gaps as well, but she does a great job with that. >> So I imagine you're getting at least 4%. >> We are getting payouts when CDs mature right now. So when these CDs mature is when we get payouts for them. So, we just received a pretty big payout, I want to say in March

027for it, >> and you'll kind of see that on. >> Okay. Very good. >> All right. And again, these funds can only be used on the capital improvement plan. So, I believe the timing of when the board sees this is December, January. You see a 10-year capital improvement plan with all of the kind of projects that are slated to be a capital improvement. This is the only purpose for these funds. If it is not on that approved capital improvement plan that the board approves, these funds cannot be spent. Yep. >> So this this fund would only be uh funded with any dollars from fun 10 then. >> Correct. transfers. >> Transfers. Exactly. >> Okay. >> So, when there's a surplus, a lot of times boards then will transfer to have that money available for long

028range capital rather than sitting in a fund balance if the district doesn't need a general fund balance. >> Fund 50, you all saw a presentation on this last month. This is food service. It is a self-sufficient fund, which means revenues that come in support the program. Now, we're going to be chatting a little bit about that um and how our fund looks here. Um many districts have to have a transfer again at the end of the year to cover food service. We do not. We have a very successfully run food service. So the revenue sources, pupil pay, federal and state programs, those free and reduced lunch programs, catering, vending, those other kinds of services. Question 750. >> Yeah. Do we get federal funds for that too? >> When you say federal funds, we submit a

029claim each month for the meals that are served for free and reduced lunch kiddos. So if they are eligible for free or reduced lunch, we then track it in our point of sale service and we then submit a claim each month and then get reimbursed for that claim. >> Great. Go ahead. So if um if our nutrition services provides a a service to the proial schools, >> that revenue source comes into this fund. >> That's a vending contract. >> Okay. >> Yes. And we are actually I just met with with Sheila today and kind of talked about let's get those vending contracts out and so on. But yes, that is another revenue. Is that something that a board should be um discussing from time to time as >> like like is there is there um

030is there room for the district to uh look at the those um those vending contracts to see if it's beneficial >> to move forward. So, I've got um Sheila working on the vending contracts uh for our next meeting and she is just doing some using some calculator tools to make sure all costs associated the website costs that the the proial schools use to post their menus. >> The gas price to deliver the food to those and so on. And she's using some of those calculator tools, >> right, >> to do that. If you are all are interested, I can bring those to the next fiscal meeting for you to take a look at and have Sheila kind of go through how she calculated those for those spended meals. >> Sure. I I I just I'm

031just curious because it's that seems like an area where if we're if not enough eyes are on that whether or not it's beneficial to the district or mutually beneficial to the prochial schools that we're serving also. We definitely don't want to lose money on that, but we don't want to make money either. It's kind of that fine line of we just want to break even and provide a service. So, you're right. >> Exactly. Are we breaking even? I'm I'm hoping we are, but you know. >> Yep. Let's put that. This is of interest. >> Certainly. >> I could have Sheila bring that back for next Fitzville. >> What do you think? I mean, do >> I'm indifferent. I I I would be okay with the district handling it. I don't think that they're going to

032try to gouge the kind of schools nor >> a drop in the bucket compared to what I mean it it's it's something but it's not >> substantial. >> Yeah. The biggest concern I have is um is it taking away from uh the the time and effort that we have in our own programs >> because we don't have to provide that to the pros. We we do it because it's good neighborly policy. Is that the best way to say that? >> Sure. >> And if they choose to go out to another vendor or try to do it in house, their costs are going to skyrocket. So >> maybe. >> Yeah. So we'll we'll let me know. I mean, three of the four are good with this. So I'd say just say it. Perfect. We will do

033that. >> I'm just I'm just curious. I'm not >> And I just met with Sheila and she's going to start working on that. So it's perfect timing to start talking about that. >> I guess it's your baby. >> It is. This is now Sheila's baby. See how I pass that. >> Okay. Very good. >> All right. Any other questions on 50? So, we're going to come back to fund 80, but overview of fund 80 is used for community service revenue. Revenue is outside the revenue limit. So, as Craig said before, after we get this pot of money that we can either split between state aid and taxes, we can also add things outside the revenue limit. Now, it increases our mill rate again, but it doesn't take away from the general education kind of component.

034Community service is levied through property taxes. So, again, it's it's going to be an increase to the mill rate, not typically a lot. Okay? And we'll kind of talk about that as we move through. Um, can support any activity offered to the community, not just school-based activities. Okay. So, right now, what are we using this for? The RMS pool. We've got an agreement with the city and the Watertown aquatics teams. Am I saying that correctly? To use the pool. And because of that, we can the community is using it, not just school. We also have a portion of one school resource officer salary and benefits. When we have a school resource officer, then that officer is not just tied to the public school system. They are then serving the community, >> if that makes sense.

035>> So, this is this is what the other school resource officers are paid through funding, >> right? >> Correct. >> Questions on 80 because we're going to kind of chat more about 80 in a second. >> I think we'll have I'll have more questions after we go more in depth. 110. This is the big guy. This is called the general fund. Everything else comes out of here. So, our biggest revenues going in there are tax levies, state equalization aid, fees, categorical aid, interest, grants. We have a clock run. You can see this is our pie charts here. Um, so the revenue limit is taking that aqua. So the revenue limit is property taxes and state equalization aid. That's that aqua. All of those other chunks are other revenues, but the biggest is property taxes and

036state equalization a expenses come from compensation. Biggest expense we are in the service industry. So about 72% of our costs did that say 71 72 we're 71 something come from compensation busing insurance voucher payments supplies transfers to other funds and so on and you can see the chunks there covers everything else questions So what I am going to be um providing each fiscal meeting is >> so wait wait wait wait wait you have in here fun 10 it says expenses compensation busing insurance vouchers supply so >> you're saying that vouchers is an expense >> comes out of our levy >> it comes out of our levy, but we can separately levy. It gets added. >> Still an It's still an expense. You're right. We add to our levy for it. >> It gets added back

037into the revenue formula. >> We collect more revenue for it. Correct. But it is still an expense. >> Well, >> it is considered >> an expense for accounting purposes. Sure. But it's not it's it's net neutral when when it's when it's in the budget added back in as a >> every every voucher expense is collected in tax revenue. The vouchers what you are saying is our voucher expense is offset by the tax levy that we are levying for this expense. >> Right. Yes. >> Yeah. It's just the state's way of handling that doctor. >> So, you're right. It is an offset. It's an additional revenue >> and it's an additional expense offset. >> Well, we have heard endless discussion that does not seem to I I totally agree with what Craig was saying that there's

038the point is that so many people think that those vouchers are pulling from our total. If those vouchers were not there, we would not be collecting the extra money to pay for those vouchers. Which is why he's asking for the clarification. I'm with you. Totally. Correct. >> Thank you for bringing it up. >> Correct. And I think you are absolutely right, Sam, on that. But it does add to our levy. So it adds to our mill. >> Correct. Right. The local tax base. >> Correct. Yes. >> Still part of the P&L statement. >> Yes. Yes. >> That's all we got to know. >> I do appreciate you bringing it up. >> Other thoughts, questions on this? Carl, that's you. Okay, next one is new fund balance monthly report. >> Oh, we Oh, we're going to

039go into fun later. Got it. >> Yeah. Yeah, fun is going to be later. Okay. >> So, um would like to and I tried my hardest to get this to flip for you, but I just didn't want to. So, >> we can do it. >> I know. So, here we go. What you are given in your monthly reports again is a variance report for fund 10 and fund 27 starting balance everything that changed it ending balance and so you got a lot of detail here because now you are aware of all of the funds I want to give you the overview of where we are sitting with all of the funds now we are and I'm going to say midyear even though we're threearters of the year through so you can see fund 10 has

040a balance of 29,606. You can look at this as fund balance. You're going to look at me and say, "Hey, CL, I thought we had less fund balance." We do. We have not made the transfer to special ed yet. So, that is going to reduce it. If you look at the end of the year last year, we ended with a fund balance of 24 million. Do you see that? So, it's kind of when looking at fund 10, you can compare it year to year. You can see our fund balance is kind of going down and that makes sense even midyear here year because we are operating under deficit budget. Did that make sense? >> Fund 21. Again, these are deposits made by FFA, the football team, the student council. Right now, those clubs have entrusted

041us with $885,000. We can't do anything with that. That is not our money to spend. We are just a safe place and holding it for when they need football helmets. >> Fund 27, you will see parentheses, which in the accounting world means negative. We have a negative balance right now in fund 27 of 4.5 million. That's because it runs negative until that transfer is made. So if you take a look at year end each year in June each year, the balance is zero. That's where the balance of 27 has to be at at the end of every year. That's when the transfer happens. Fund 38, we are showing a balance of 29,851. And that is because we've got a fall payment to make before we can levy anymore. So, this is going to be the

042fall payment that is made there. And you can see it's pretty close to where we were last year. a little bit different because our balance is going down. You all know it as you pay loans off, you know that decreases our payments. Fun 39. You can see the balance in previous years was very very high. That's because we had a payment to make on these these um debts. Now we no longer have a payment to make. So we have $13,000 there. What is that $13,000 there? We have invested the money and that's the investment. So we will have some decisions to make as a board as a fiscal committee now that we no longer have that fund. What do we want to do with this? So there's some choices you can make. You can transfer

043that to the general fund, but you actually lose out on state categorical aid by doing that. you could leave it sitting there and if we ever take debt out in the future that's just money that's already sitting there for the debt. >> I know I I've asked you this question before but I think it's worth clarification. So if we were to um transfer it to fund 10 and then then it you said it was uh >> category what was it now the >> state equalization. >> Yep. >> That is so they would they would change that for the one year that that revenue that that those funds were transferred. >> Correct. >> To account for that. >> Correct. And then it would just go back to um the >> not the previous year, but >>

044it goes this would not no longer be a deduction. >> It would. Okay. So, it's not this would not penalize us for in perpetuity. >> So, so it's just a one-time transfer mostly to our our local tax base. Then back it it's going back to the taxpayers, >> right? It would come off of the levy by $13,000. But again, we lose equalization rate. So we'll we'll kind of talk about that. We just made that last payment in April, right? >> So it's sitting there now. We as a fiscal committee and a board will have to kind of figure out what route. So we'll have some more discussion on this one. Got it. >> That's good, good, good thoughts. >> Fun 46. You can see here fund 146 is 2.347 million as of the end of

045April. And that's a little bit down from the end of last year. Beth, why? I thought you said there was no spending. We did have to pay P for some of their bills for this summer work. So that came out of this. So you saw that, but typically you will see that's just growing because of the interest accumulating in it. >> Fund. This is one we are going to talk about. Currently we have a fund balance in fund 50 of 572,000. At year end last year it was 850,000. I said in fund 50 there are many school districts that have to transfer to cover uh the cost of a business that's not self-sufficient. We do not because of this healthy fund balance. How did we get this fund balance? It's not that we are charging

046too much and making a profit. During the years of COVID, when we were um I'm sorry, when lunches were free, this is when a lot of districts ended up having a fund balance and adding to that fund balance. >> Yep. Uh for context, um this is also about the same time where uh people were also concerned about the nutritional value of the services that they're receiving. And um it it hasn't it hasn't continued to be a a discussion at this point, but uh it just one of those things that some people felt that if we're paying certain, >> you know, for for the foods that that we're receiving can be um somehow enhanced. Sure. And uh but I think having a healthy balance in this fund isn't a bad thing. >> Got a question. >>

047What I have a question are we that also money is being invested, right? >> This money is part of our fund 10 money right now. >> So we have we don't separate when we pay fund 27 expenses. It's coming out of the general fund. That's why it's called the G when we pay 50 expenses. We don't separate things until it gets to debt payments and referendum stuff. So, we are earning returns on this, but it's not investment returns, that kind of thing, because we have day-to-day expenses that we have to pay. So, we've got to have some liquidity when it comes to paying these expenses. >> That's quite a bit of money. It's $570ome,000 even. Yes. Let me find out what the return is. >> Yeah, I would imagine that part of it can be

048invested. Right. Right. >> Well, well, I guess that that spurs a larger um question though. I mean, I I appreciate the question and your mind's probably thinking the same way that mine is that like do does our business office define where where a certain threshold of liquidity should be and then anything above and beyond that is invested in in something that's more interestbearing. >> I will look into that. >> Okay. Um, I am coming from a district that I had worked out some agreements with banks for those kind of things and let me do some digging, okay, >> on where our fund balance is sitting because you're seeing in fund 10 we have 29 million too. >> I would think that that's >> a portion of that is some interestbearing sure >> investment. I don't

049know longterm, short-term, however. Ultimately, I think I think the responsible thing to do would be to have as much of those dollars working for um our taxpayers as possible. >> Correct. Many districts operate what's called a sweep account. >> Yep. >> And so those account those funds are invested in a higher returned account >> and then once a day they're swept in and out of that account. We don't operate a sweep account, but I'm not sure if the reason why on that is because we are earning a a good return. >> Yeah, but yeah, typically sweep accounts would probably be less they would have less of a return because of the liquidity u uh factor. >> You have to keep some of that ready to go, right? >> You are right. >> Okay. Well, I

050mean things to explore. >> Yep. Exactly. >> Right. Are you aware that uh a lot of big businesses invest a lot of money over the weekend? >> Oh yeah, a lot of money. >> Interesting. >> What I want to point out about fund 50 is if you look over the years, do you see how that fund balance is decreasing? So we are right now operating a food service department that is losing money, but we can do that. And this is going to bring up some thoughts coming up. Sure, we can do that because of the fund balance. So, there's a lot of talk with school districts and fees for lunches and so on going up huge because of the cost of food and so on. We have been able to keep those costs in line

051because of this fun balance. >> Yes. And then fund 80 um fund 80 is that community service fund and you can see that we are sitting at about $500,000. We are doing some pool maintenance work right now which is going to cost which is why I always at the end of the year it's kind of diff less because our pool maintenance happens right around spring break time but we are carrying about a $500,000 balance in that community service fund. So my thought moving forward is at fiscal I would like to just provide you this to show you where we are with each fund and that way if you've got questions on all of these funds that we can talk through that I'd appreciate that each month. >> I certainly would appreciate that very helpful. You

052know what? Honestly, I I'm not sure why it was never part of like the packet. Maybe it just it makes sense. I think it's very important. >> Thank you. >> Sure. >> We ready to go to next? Oh, wait a minute. You still got more yet, right? >> Yep. >> We're done with this. Okay. Now, movement of middle school co-curric club to fund 80 15 minutes. Here we go. >> Here we go. 15 minutes. All right. So the community service fund is used for community programs. So um we have a policy in place that I kind of published in this public um section that kind of goes through what ours our policy is. Cost for programs and services that is limited to only public school kids is not okay. costs whose services present a significant

053barrier for age appropriate school district residents to participate in the program or service costs that are not actual additional costs to operate community under this but you can see all of the things that we said we're not using these for what um I also gave is some guidance per DPI on some questions and answers. So the topic is many school districts use fund 80 to fund middle school programs. Now in Watertown, my thought is well in order to fund middle school programs, we have to open middle school programs up to all resident students, homeschooled kiddos, parochial school kiddos, and so on. Um, we cannot do this at the high school level because of WIAA regulations. They have to be enrolled in the school that they are applying for. But at middle school level, we can.

054There's some advantages for doing this this way. This comes out of the revenue limit. Then the funding for this comes out of the revenue limit and goes into fund 80. Second, we have a lot of parochial schools now in Watertown area that go through 8th grade and then a lot of these kiddos feed into the high school. This would give those kiddos at the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade level an opportunity to start being a part of other like exposure to other if that makes sense. This would also then free up those funds for that. Um, so we've got here um I I had a meeting with um Justin or Mike Cunningham, Justin Dietrich, and so Justin Dietrich Crannle, wrong Justin. Um and kind of talked through what are the blind spots that I'm missing

055with this and they said this is a great idea. A lot of our proial schools run sports seasons that are kind of opposite ours. For example, some run some fall basketball seasons. Is that right? And then our middle school runs a winter. So these kids then could have some don't, but they said this is great. Then the kids get to know each other and so on. So, just wanted to start the conversation with you all about what thoughts are on this. Um, I did put in and I'm not going to fire it up, but there was a survey that went out to other school districts that kind of went through what other school districts are using for their levy and what they are including in fundating. You'll see a lot are using this as daycare

056opportunities. We don't have a daycare and the main reason for that is because our 4K program is all day. If we had a half day program, we might start thinking about do we want wraparound care? How does that look? Middle school programs are on that. You will see a lot of school resource officers here, community engagement nights and so on. So, just wanted to start the conversation. If we brought in, let's say we open it up to the middle school athletics, do we have a ballpark figure for what that would be? What what do you mean? >> As for the cost of that, >> well, the cost for running all programs with busing and so on is about $150, $200,000, and that's coaches, busing, and so on. Right now, we are levying into fund 80298,000,

057and that's for SRO and pool costs. So, we'd be adding those $150 $200,000 onto the fund 80 levy. Um, we would have to do some work on our part because it is we would have to connect with the profils. We would have to connect with the homeschool. We would have to say, "Here's a signup sheet. How do you want to Okay, now we've got to we've got practice. Can you get the kids to practice? We've got games. The bus is leaving." So, there's coordination pieces for sure. But again, just starting. >> Yeah. So, does that mean as long as I mean if there's as long as it's open to the um middle school age children within the community within those that we our district serves. Um then it may qualify for uh fund 80. >>

058It will qualify for for fund 80. But if uh if there's low interest it doesn't matter. >> We've opened it up. >> Okay. So So in a way you we would be shifting some of the burden from the general fund into fund 80 which would then in turn raise the levy. >> Yes. >> A little bit. Yes. to comp to to um >> compensate for fun, right? Absolutely. >> Funding of those programs. >> You are absolutely right. >> Okay. >> Um my previous district, this is a a move that we made. Um again, we opened it up to everybody. There were some programs, the track program at the middle school, saw huge numbers coming in. We also were running competing programs during basketballs. So we we didn't see so but again we have to provide

059the opportunity for every resident students to do it. >> I got a question now. Was that fund 80 part of that dispute with the city? >> No. Uh well yeah actually probably there's some there's some close session discussions on that but yeah >> well the pool >> I think that fund is about >> and yes >> well then then what we're saying is that that that deal with the city was part of fund >> correct >> the pool has always operated under >> and I shouldn't say always I think We should we should go into close session about that one. >> Not not right now. No, but >> in the future we should take that under advisement and go into close session on that once and get a full detailed report on that. >> I

060think I think it would be a good idea to to update the board on, you know, the the situation. Um, you know, what what that whatever the update ends up being. Yeah, absolutely. >> Yeah, we should that well I should I think we should put on that on the future agenda for >> items that have to be done in reference to the board. The board should be looking at that. >> So go ahead. >> Is a recommendation that we do that before we make a decision about fun to 80 and then we change >> I think we should. >> Okay. Go ahead. You'd said that there's negatives or some things that we need to consider for moving the middle school programs to fund 80. You would so is that just the raise of the levy

061is the only consideration. >> The the Yes, the increase to the levy is going to be one of those. And again, we have let's see I don't know how to how to say this. $150,000 is not going to is is going to be pennies >> minimal >> to the levy if even a two pennies. So, and I'm I'm just right now ballparking. So, um >> the other piece is the coordination piece. So, we've got kids kids coming from all over to practice. Where are we practicing? How are those kids getting there? Um the bus is leaving from the middle school at 3:00. Well, we don't have kids getting out of So, there's going to be coordination pieces moving forward to make sure everybody is included and how that all works. >> Wouldn't wouldn't the burden

062on that though be on the middle on the private schools to make sure that they make the adjustments internally if they want to be a part of it? >> But for us, it's coordination. It's like right now >> those invitations are not out there. We don't even have to now we if if we've got kiddos registering we have to make sure everybody is aware parents are aware all >> so so um I also see on your um other other areas like crossing guards >> would be covered under >> funding >> um >> could be >> I think right now crossing guards are covered under the city >> city takes crossing >> proial schools oh okay gotcha Um, I this is where I would stand on this. Um, I I feel like I'm interested in hearing

063more. I'm interested in um if if you could and I'm not this is not a directive. Just want to make sure if the committee is comfortable with this. Um uh the I would be interested in seeing what areas that the um that fun 180 could be used for that we can identify and then we can um perhaps take that up at the next committee meeting >> to clarify. Craig, yes. >> You're saying in addition to middle school co-curriculars, right? >> Right. Right. Absolutely. I can put a list together. Some are I mean there you can see on that list from other school districts. >> This is something that we have to justify with our auditors. First of all, it has to be a board approved move. Whatever we move to fund 80 has to be

064board approved and then we have to provide auditors documentation on how this is comm community open to community. We had in my previous district a fitness center that was open to the community free of charge and because of that the fitness center costs for the trainer and the equipment and so on could be funded to 80. >> Right. >> I don't believe we have a model like that here in Watertown where the fitness center is open to residents. >> Well, a question about like our high school auditorium. Doesn't that get used by the public for various things? Would that >> they pay a rental fee for that? So, they have to reserve the space and pay a rental fee. If we were just opening up all of our buildings, >> a community room or something,

065>> then absolutely we could. >> Good to know. Well, for instance, uh a portion of whatever I mean you we were to implement that type of u program, it may require some additional administrative coordination and it seems as though um a portion of the administrator salary and benefits can be paid through fund 80. Uh, so those are that's what that's what I'm seeing here is that if if there is a way to look at some of those other I just be I just be curious as to what that looks like. I'm not saying I I fully support that, but in general, I feel that if there's a um if there's a way to reach out to the community and uh provide uh a warm transfer for for children to want to become part of the

066district at a later point in time, I don't see that as a bad thing. Yeah. Just personally. >> Sure. >> Go ahead. Especially when the cost on the on the levy is penned. I mean, >> anybody any other questions? >> No, I'm good. >> I got a question. Could we coordinate that with the like the W uh YMCA or the community hospital or something like that? >> Coordinate. It would have to be a program that would be coordinated and opened up to everybody. So, >> well, you got the YMCA in town now and you got a fitness center at the the hospital. >> I'm just wondering if they could include those. >> No, because they are not school run. >> Okay. So, it has to be school run. >> Okay. And have we got a

067fitness center at the high school? >> We have um spaces for our students and our um our athletes, our coaches uh to utilize. >> Could we use that? It is not a secured location for public to be entering into the building. >> I understand. Okay. Very good. >> Yeah. >> Very good. All right. >> So, what I'm hearing is maybe bring a list of some some thoughts on other and I I did not think that there was going to be anything going forward to Monday saying yes, let's do this. Just wanted to start the conversation on can we open our doors up to the public? Can the community? It's great relations, you know, and so on. Can we be starting to look at this? >> Can we move forward? >> Yes. Whenever you say so.

068>> 226 227 WSD fees. >> All right. So, I put some fees in public content. Now these fees are the same fees that you that you saw for this year 2526 except the um there is a new athletic ticket price. It's the second one down. I'm going to highlight it. Um we are hoping to implement online ticket online credit card ticketing for athletic programs. We are one of the last conference schools to actually offer this as an option. Um JustinRandle is offering this during a soccer game next week. So we are kind of piloting it first time to see how it all runs next week. Um we would like to add this credit card as an option for athletic entry. Um there is a cost for our provider because of this credit card. They charge

069just 90 cents per ticket under $7 per ticket. So since our tickets are under $7, it's 90 cents per ticket. So our thought is to add this level as an option. we will still have a cash option as $5, but that way if anybody else coming from other schools is doesn't carry cash and they're used to just having a card, now we can do it. So that's one of the changes. Thoughts on that one? >> No thoughts on that. Well, I like that option. I think that's just a it's cost of doing business today. You got to do it. >> But how are these fees how is it determined that the fees would stay the same from last year? Um can so fees are determined by what kids get. So from planners to workbooks to

070so on. And so these fees have stayed pretty consistent for years moving forward. >> Um the other change that you will see is in nutrition services. Now, nutrition services, all of these fees here that I'm highlighting, trying to highlight are going to be an increase of 10 cents each. Now, again, we have gas prices going up like crazy. Food prices have gone up 3.8% and so on. I was just in a meeting with other business, Madison area business, um, school business officials, and they were talking about some districts are having to raise meal prices 35 cents because their program does not have a fund balance that can support this. So, um, Sheila did put in administrative content a recommendation menu on or memo on how she got to this. And again because of that fund

071balance that is one of the thoughts. Now I do want to bring up she mentions in this memo about this fee waiver policy. So I brought this up here and this policy was a policy that was passed last June to wave fees. So before I talk about what her memo said, um just kind of want to fly into this. The board passed a policy that said um I got to scroll here. Students are eligible for a fee waiver for the following reasons. They qualify for free lunches or breakfast. homeless reduced lunch or breakfast families that have had a significant loss like a fire or a flood or another good reason. So Carl and I actually had the discussion about how do we well so what what fees does this wave right now we are and

072when I say we administration principles and so on I am hoping to work towards an administrative guideline that kind of gives guidance to administration with board input on how this looks. So, if you look at our fees, do we wave fees for a yearbook? >> I would hope not. Do we? >> I don't know. And again, right now, we don't have administrative guidelines in place on what these eligible fees are for. we can see and Jolene just asked. So, we've got the um kindergarten through fifth grade fee of $50. If a kiddo is homeless or qualifies for free, free lunch, do we wave that fee? >> And again, so again, working on some guidance administratively on how to implement this policy. So I'm assuming it's essentially right now ran where if it's a necessity it's

073covered. If it's a if it's not a necessity then it is maybe up for discussion but not a guarantee kind of scenario. >> I think what we are discussing is crafting a procedure that is um used throughout the district that is a little bit more black and white a little less loosey goosey of here or there and um we we follow that. Now, there are certain rights that students have when they qualify for free and reduced or if they qualify under the McKini Mento Act. And so, um those need to be in there and that would be waving of the necessity of those particular um fiscal responsibilities that usually fall on the parent or guardians. >> Go ahead, Craig. I'm just trying to understand a little bit more about what's being asked. Uh so kids

074would normally kids that might qualify under like free and reduced lunch uh I mean they're pay they're paying for that particular service as it is now >> for for the launch. >> No no but this is school fees. >> Oh school fees. So what what right now they don't if they are qualified for free lunch they pay nothing correct >> but if they qual qualify correctly for lunch >> but if they qualify for free lunch what Sarah just said is right now we are not we don't have a consistent procedure in place and what we need to do again with board input is work towards a consistent procedure which in my thought would be an ag an administrative guideline on um >> on other fees in our district >> on Yes. what fees this would

075wave. >> For example, the class fee. Can I see? >> Absolutely. For example, um the class fee that everyone somebody's not everyone has to pay. The other pieces in here um are discretionary. They're not necessarily needed or desired by everybody all the time. Not everybody wants a parking pass and not everybody has a car. People walk, they take the bus and they do other things. There are certain like the earbook. That's an optional fee. You want a yearbook, you don't want a yearbook. There are some things on here that um would not necessarily qualify and there are small things on here, very few things on here. >> Okay. So you're saying an administrative guideline u an ag would kind of help define >> yes >> you know and like for instance in the case of

076a yearbook >> a child happens to be homeless right but um you know the we wouldn't necessarily be waving a fee for a yearbook if it was necessary >> and again that's what we're working towards is that consistency by going through an AG with some discussion on your part to implement something for the 2627 school year that we are much clearer on what this policy >> I mean covers. I just I'm just I'm just thinking I'm I'm in general support of an AG that better defines that, but is there even a a way for like there to be a I don't know like a some sort of a a restricted account or booster fund or something of that nature where uh that can be referred to in the AG by which uh if if let's

077say a homeless child wanted to still be able to participate in those types of things that somebody might have already donated funds for that purpose. >> Okay. >> All right. Go ahead, Julian. >> Just a general question under class fee. I'm assuming that means like you pay it for your junior year and your senior year and that kind >> Yes. >> Thank you. >> Can I have a question? >> Whatever. I got a real problem with this these my problem is with the extracurricular which includes athletics and productions. I believe there should be no fees for that. >> Well, >> that's a restrictive fee on >> Well, okay. So, I on some level I would agree with that, but I think that Beth and Sarah have already made it clear that um there are exceptions

078allowed. So if I'm sure if a family is struggling with paying that fee, the district would not be compassionate to their plight and say too bad, so sad. >> Carl, what I appreciate about what you just said is that you are addressing what's called the opportunity gap and we do have students that want to participate fully in their experience in their schooling, which includes extracurriculars, football, sports, all sorts of things. We work with those families. Carl um to make sure that the students have those opportunities too. Now what I will say is that is exactly why we need to craft an administrative guideline so that we can go through those pieces with um students that that are in that boat. I mean think about that brought up you know a fire or a flood or

079a catastrophic incident where there's a they don't have a home all of a sudden things are going on. There are pieces where we know that will impact that student in more than just um you know their their capacity in like mental capacity and their emotional state at that time. They need those opportunities to continue for them. We work with our families. >> I I I think we should take it completely out of the hands of the administration and we should just discontinue those those fees for middle school and high school. >> I would love to do that. We don't have the funds to be able to do that and keep those programs. >> Are you telling me that co it's costing us that much? >> Us a lot of money to run our programs. >>

080Yeah. [clears throat] Think of the coaches, the buses, the equipment cost a lot of money. >> I'm assuming the upkeep of all of the fields are in some way sectioned off financially to the sports program. >> These fees do not cover all of the costs. >> Correct. >> I I'm sure I'm sure these fees >> but they help. So if we think about this in the educational thought process, whatever money we are putting towards volleyball gets taken out of a science classroom. >> Did that just make sense? >> So we have to think about it and the whole I get that this does not cover the coaches, this does not cover the bus, this but it helps and so then we have to fund less of that because >> I got then I got another

081question. And how much does the booster club help us out with this? >> I mean, we can look through some of those accounts um and and get some more information for you. >> I got a real problem with that. I I I have a real problem with that because I think every kid should have a opportunity to do what he wants in extracurricular activities in high school. >> I'm going to play devil's advocate. What about the kids who are gifted in music but aren't in athletics and they have the opportunity? Well, I'm I'm talking about them, too. >> Okay. Well, it wasn't that wasn't included in what? >> Well, it's reductions or Well, >> instrumental fees. >> We have instrumental fees and stuff. >> Yeah, we do have instrumental fees, but >> No, that's what

082I'm saying. That >> right be right. >> I'm sorry. >> If they rent an instrument, okay, if they rent an instrument, >> they have their own instrument, they rent it from the White House of music or whatever, they don't pay the school district anything for that. Um, but if they rent an instrument then yes. >> Well, I can understand that. You know, a lot of parents will buy their kids an instrument. >> Those that can afford it. >> Yes, I understand that also. But I mean, when it comes to extracurricular activities, I I just got a problem with that. if you if you may. Um, you know, LD's too. I think I think it's because of how much goes into some of the extracurriculars as far as what the school district contributes as far as

083what the boosters contribute for for these um programs and and private donations. Um, some of these kids are out there fundraising just to be part of these activities as well. I think there's there's value in uh having some skin in the game, so to speak, so that if a if a child were to I mean, you don't want if a child were to quit and and there's an already an a great investment into their their u ability to be part of the program. Um I think that does a disservice to the program sometimes, too. >> Well, you got to understand where I'm coming from. >> I totally do. I I because I see so many kids that have talent that are they never are able to apply it in high school because their parents refuse

084to pay the fees so they don't get to play. You know, parents are rich parents and but they will not let the kids participate. And I see so many kids that possibly could have got scholarships that never participated in a program. This goes with anything with banned with forensics with everything. I don't think that they should be restricted. I have a real problem with that. I did have I I am sympathetic to your your argument and you know like I I think a couple of years ago uh we we sort of started to implement the family maximum um because like if you had a big family why should you get penalized for like every single child that wants to be able to participate in sports >> you know so I understand that because I see

085it I see it all the time when I do tax work you know. Yeah, >> people turn well like they think it's tax deductible. [laughter] It's not. >> Sure. >> So, >> same. >> Well, that's where I stand on any any outside extracurricular activity. That's where I stand on it. I I just don't like the idea that the kids have to pay for that. >> Duly noted. >> Pardon? >> Duly noted. >> Yes. Agreed. I >> I would be a huge advocate of that if the state could fund education a little bit more and that we weren't pinching pennies. >> Well, the state has the money to do it. We have a governor that refuses to do it. That's all I got to say. Go ahead. >> Well, I want to go back to the

086credit card. >> Okay. What happens if grandma and grandpa show up at the game with a K through 8th grade student, would they be able to use a credit card? Because more and more seniors are not using cash either. They're using plastic. >> Sure. >> So they it would be available. >> So because the the charge is only $2 there and it's going to be few and far between. We had this conversation of do we add it to every ticket and we're like let's just add it to the adult >> but it would be available for every >> Okay. Yeah, cuz you got four. You got six bucks at least probably on that. So, okay. All right. Good to know. I'll make sure I have my credit card when I go. >> There you go.

087[laughter] Sam, you got anything? No, I was just gonna say I mean if we're going to be discussing administrative guidelines, I think that would be the best place to continue this conversation at policy. >> I do I do I do appreciate feedback from committee as far as what the direction is and where the work is. Oh, before we move on, are we saying we're okay with the 10 cent per meal? I'm assuming that I didn't um I know that Sheila wrote this memo to accompany it because I would think it would be wise to make sure that we protect that fund balance but not make the increase so substantial that people are like in shock and awe. But um but 10 cents looked like it was >> okay, huh? Last year it was 15 cents.

088So we're staying in the range. Okay. >> The one thing you will notice about the memo, which is why I wanted to go to the fee waiver policy, she mentioned that she would like um a recommendation from the board to wave reduced meal prices. So kiddos that um are eligible for reduced meal prices, we get reimbursement from the federal government. not as much as the free um lunch and the kiddos paid 40 cents. She All right, we are back. >> Is it being recorded? >> Great question. >> Yes. All right. her recommendation was due to this policy and the balance of our fund balance is able to support this. So those two reasons, Tammy, is why she made that recommendation per the memo. >> I'm sorry, I did not realize we were back online. >>

089Sorry. So, the two reasons she said because of the memo is because of that $850,000 fund balance that we had for food service and also the policy of the fee waiver that she made that recommendation. But she would like board input on if that's something that you all think is appropriate and we should move to resolution. >> Well, she does note in the memo that it might be partially off the it's $9,500. she figures and that it might be partially offset by increased participation and that would be combined with higher federal reimbursement rates for the reduced price. And I don't know what partially offset means. Is that $1,000? Is it $5,000? I don't know. Um, is this mostly a convenience thing? Because it's it's just harder to deal with the 40 cents or >> N.

090It's just a consideration for those >> sales system. I mean, a kid scans their ID and it just knows how much is deducted from their account. There's no more work. >> It's just really saying since we have this healthy fund balance and now we have this new policy and we are able to do this. Do we say because the policy said reduced um students eligible for reduced lunches and breakfasts would be eligible for this policy. So yes. So I want to I want to make sure we're talking the same amount of money because according to at the end of April the fund balance for 50 was 572,674. Do you think it's going to increase by 300,000 between now? We are a month or two behind on reimbursements. >> So when I say that, >> okay,

091>> you cannot submit a claim for a reimbursement until the month is over. So we just submit it um April's. We won't get paid for April's claim for a couple of weeks. So we're a month or two behind on that. So do I believe that we are going to dip into that 850? Yes. Just like you saw in the past couple of years we have dipped but um not substantially as what she is saying because reimbur and she said because of that increased participation and reimbursement rates which I don't think reimbursement rates have been set in stone yet. That's kind of a cushy thing that they set in stone over the summer. She anticipates that to be the case. So, how many kids are we talking about? >> Great question. >> She said it was

09214% of the students in their inner minimum. >> 14% of the overall student. >> So, I will tell you that there are only three people in this district that have that list and I am one of them and I certify that list every month and sign off on it. It's extremely confidential. Um, and it changes month by month. it typically stays pretty solid at the same rate. Um, but it is a it is a confidential list and I can provide numbers. Um, but the the >> Yeah, >> I'm not asking for individuals. I'm asking >> 14% of those receiving meal >> about about 450 kids. >> Okay. On top of that, I would say that um the list last time was was smaller than that, I'll be honest. But on top of the free and

093reduced, you're going to have children that are qualifying for Mckin Vento that not necessarily um would qualify for free and reduced. They are separate um legal standings. And so um that list has both of them on there. Um yeah, >> I have a PR question about this. So for the families that don't qualify for any of this, >> is there a possibility that they go, okay, so these kids were paying 40, at least they were paying something into it, >> but I don't get any break and my fees went up 10 cents. I >> I don't know if if that's a big PR issue or if it's do we do we talk do we send out something that goes out to everyone that's >> about the increase? Sure. >> Well, not necessarily increase but the

094dropping if we if we determine that we were going to take the reduced and reduce it to zero >> would be a comm we talked at our meeting about that communication piece. Typically over registration time is when we mail out free and reduced applications. That would have to be a communication piece, >> social media piece and so on. So everybody is aware. She talks about increased eligibility. Right now a lot of families are not filling out the free and reduced lunch form. actually be added to Skyward during registrations >> because most of these kiddos are getting pulled through direct search which just means they qualify through another program. >> Um and because of that they automatically qualify for this. Um she had talked about increase in upping that participation because now reduced price kiddos don't

095have to worry about that 40 cent fee and now are we going to get more people more families actually filling this I I don't know how it all plays and you asked a great question Jilline I don't know about the PR are people going to be upset that these kids don't have to pay anything I don't um just ballpark. So if we're figuring 450 students and 180 days of school at 40 cents ballpark, that's $32,400. I mean, it's significant enough to make it a bit of a dent in in the uh in the funding for of the program. >> Well, how did she come up with 9500 then? >> Reimbursement rates. So what we charge for our school lunch a lot of times the federal reimbursement rates are higher than a pupil paid lunch if

096that makes sense. So yes we're missing out on revenue but then do we get to claim more because these kids are actually eating now and not worried about the 40 cents. Is that line that close for them on that that they they're those kids that are worried are probably really close to being qualified for free must be >> there's different standards. So for free I believe it's the poverty guidelines >> and I believe for reduced it's a it's higher than that. So are they close? Probably. But like Carl said, I mean, we've got kids that just can't afford it. And 40 cents is a is an issue. I mean, again, I I feel fortunate that that was never, you know, my issue, but we have to understand those are some of our >> Are you

097looking for a recommendation to go to Monday's meeting? >> Um, we don't have to recommend that. Again, this would not start. What I am looking for is action that the fees would go. So what's on this sheet if we want it to discuss the waiver of the reduced that would have to be in place by the time we start registration which is in July. >> So can we put the whole thing on there for initial board discussion on Monday? >> That does not make sense. Does that make sense? >> I would I would wait. Okay. Um, and that agenda comes out tomorrow, but let's go through some more processes. >> Okay. >> My initial reaction is we have a program that's working. It's funded well now. I don't tend to want to mess with it

098too much. That's just my initial reaction. >> My initial reaction is we just went to referendum and increase the tax dollars to everybody in the community. free reduced full paying and I'm not sure how well it would be received to the full paying community that uh we are now supplementing the reduced lunch charges that that is a serious concern that I have >> because I I I understand that they they qualify for that benefit but there are a number of people that do not qualify for free or reduced lunch that are also struggling in this economy. I think I think what what is re what our reality would be would be is if if the um lunch program suddenly became insolvent so to speak and our fun 10 funds would have to supplement it at

099some point then your then your point would be true. No, I mean it's a reality that the fund is losing money. So eventually it will be a discussion in front of the board that we are going to have to charge these students 40 cents because we've now exhausted the fund we were using outside of fun time. >> So I don't think my argument's untrue. >> No, I think I think we're speaking each other. Very good. >> I I think Tammy and that's what I had mentioned to Sheila again. I think in shortsightedness I have I agree with this. We've got a healthy fund balance. We can do it. But then what happens in the future and there's so many variables. So again I think your long range thinking is excellent discussion to have and it's

100something to consider because again if we take it away how the heck are we ever going to bring it back >> suddenly? Yeah. Now he's not. Yeah. So again, good discussion and I think I don't know, do we bring it back to fiscal in June and kind of see where we're at? >> No. >> Or do we just say >> if you see a red light, let us know. >> I wish I could see the future, but I can't. So I don't know what to tell you. And you guys you see the operational of it constantly, right? >> So, if you feel that there is a certain point that it goes under that we should be notified of it, please notify us when it goes under that that point that you predetermine for for us

101and then we'll bring it up again. How is that? >> Wait, I'm sorry, Carl. What are you >> Well, it's a red light. It's when the red light goes on. So, are you saying you're in support of it until we reach a certain balance in the fund and then you want to redis reimplement and reduce lunch? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> I think I would I think I would more so agree with Julie. I know I'm not, but I would more so agree with Julian. I think once you once you provide a service like that, any reinstitution of fees is going to be a nightmare. I don't think that you want to have anything to do with that. to watch that happen uh to a lot of school districts during co was not a pretty

102not a pretty time. It's probably not something we should be messing with. >> I definitely >> it's up to you people what you want to do. >> I think we leave it where it is. We have a very modest um projection of a quote surplus. >> You can talk now anything Sam. [laughter] Yeah, >> I I do I do think however there is perhaps a a discussion about for instance your lunch fees. you did increase lunch fees by 10% across the board. It disproportionately affects the elementary uh fees um that that percentage amount of an increase is is much more aggressive at the elementary level than it is at for an adult that receives a lunch. So I mean like for instance perhaps maybe the adult should be paying 15 cents whereas the elementary in

103addition and the elementary should be paying the 10 cents. I mean it doesn't it doesn't it's not proportionate. >> I'm not following correct >> the the increase across the board from elementary through adult is 10 cents per lunch. It's disproportionate for elementary versus adults >> because the price of elementary is lower than the price of high school or adults. So that 10% is a higher increase percentage increase >> than in the lower levels. So yes, if I'm hearing it right. >> So you're saying you prefer to see a percentage increase across the board if if I I think that we should be charging adults a 15 15 cent increase. I I I'm generally okay with uh with the uh 10 cent increase uh from elementary through high school, but I mean I think it's more

104impactful, but it's just disproportionate otherwise. >> So is that a recommendation? >> That would be my recommendations. So that changes the B schedule I would make. Where would you start there, Craig at the um back to that? >> So that would be on the meal schedule. That would be middle school and high school and adults or just the adults? >> Just the adults. So that would go to 3:25. >> 350 550. >> Well, that's for breakfast. >> Yeah, I'm sorry. Clicking on breakfast and 525 for lunch >> and then 5 525 for lunch. >> Well, I don't think that's unreasonable. I think there's a difference in number one, the amount of food that's served. Well, I I just want to make sure that um that that we already the prices here already cent >> 10

105cents. So, for instance, breakfast for adults should be 315, right? Lunch will be three five. >> Yeah, it would just be adding five cents, right? Yeah. >> Think that makes sense? I would You guys agree with that recommendation? Um, I guess I don't know how many adults normally eat in the facilities where it would really make that much of a difference to add the extra five cents per meal. I see adults eating at the high school quite frequently. >> I was just at the middle school and I saw a couple of teachers eating there. Is it hundreds every day? No. Uh, oh, but um, it is. And I I wouldn't think that it would be such an you know push back. Um I don't know. So >> thank you. >> I'm indifferent honestly. I'm whatever

106the committee decides. I'm not recommendation to the full. >> Yeah. >> Somebody somebody wants to make >> Yeah. I I move that we um accept the fee schedule as written with the exception of >> 15% >> an additional >> additional increase for the adults for breakfast and lunch. >> Do I hear a second? >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> I I offer whatever. Get that. >> Are we done with this piece? >> I I think so. >> I think she's done with it. The question is you can tell people to stop talking anytime you want. >> Well, no. I' I'd rather have you guys just say whatever you got to say and then we we'll move on. All right. Purchase over uh purchases over 20,000. >> All right. So there is one coming

107your way and this is the yearly paper quote. So this is paper for copy machines. [clears throat] Um we went out to bid for three vendors. First vendor you will see is complete office which is titled CO. They are out of Germantown. Second one is O'Brien which we currently get paper through and that is out of portage. And then we've met School Specialty out of Greenville, Wisconsin. >> School specialty doesn't want her business obviously. >> No, no, they are a little pricey. Um the um two that are pretty comparable pricewise. Um Complete Office is the lowest price, but what we are recommending is to go with O'Brien. Reason is complete office will only give us that price for the bulk order which means we have to order all paper at one time. >> We do

108not have the facilities to store it and we do not have the staff to deliver paper from that central location to each of the buildings in a way. O'Brien, there is a system we have in place where each building fills out a form each Monday about what they need, what size paper, how much, and so on. O'Brien delivers it with no charge to each of the locations on Tuesdays. So because I understand it's a little bit of a reduced price, but the cost and the storage for us to do that with a bulk order itself is not something that >> I think slightly over $2,000 to have weekly deliveries is well worth the expense as my personal opinion. >> What does a note mean changing 415 next to O'Brien topline? >> I have a feeling.

109Hold on. move it. >> Um, that means that that price changed. So, our business office went out and got quotes, but when they get went out to get quotes, that price changed in the middle [clears throat] of So, >> Go ahead, Julie. >> I certainly move that we that we accept the O'Brien um offer with their service. >> Is that a motion? >> That's a motion. >> I'll second. All >> in favor for discussion. I >> I feel forward later. [clears throat] >> All right. What's next? >> You can move it up on the screen. >> I can look it up on the screen. My screen reports. >> Monthly reports. Has anybody got any questions? Did you get any calls? >> I did not. >> Good. >> But I will always field questions now. I

110just probably don't have the answer and you're going to probably have to give me a little bit of time and that will be to get back to you. >> I have no questions for the comments, >> Julene. >> No, I go I go through them and >> great fine to me. >> I'm good too. >> Keeping in mind there will be another report there next month and that is that that um balance by report. >> Okay, perfect. All right. future uh action items. >> So the action items that I heard here were fees with that change there moving forward to Monday and then also the paper purchase. Um we will continue discussion on fund 80 and some other topics for fund 80 and movement. And what I heard was red red reduced fees for meals

111are not going to be eliminated next year. >> I do think Craig had an action item because you wanted a a larger list for the possibilities of fund 80 including >> Yeah. Right. >> Yep. That's an action item. >> Well, I think I think we want it brought to the committee. >> That would be that would be an action item. would be. >> So on Monday, you want do you want a list of >> No, no, not a list for Monday school. >> Yes, absolutely. I will have that on the agenda for um >> part of part of the action items is actually to capture it for the minutes so that we >> Right. >> Yeah. >> And that's just a difference in what action means. Does it mean for Monday or does it mean

112for the next whatever? >> Do we have to go to future agenda? >> [clears throat] >> not for me. >> I jotted some notes for future agenda and just said um in the future to look at that pool agreement and where we are at to fill in the entire board on that and to look at some returns on the general fund. >> Okay. >> Um just just a point of clarification. Um, we would probably want to check with our attorney on whether or not that is an open session item. Now, you know, the pool thing, but just >> I would like that to be a closed session. >> You would like to have it close. >> I think it's appropriate that it's a closed session because talking about contracts. >> Okay. Well, I mean, we

113would want to make sure that we get some clarification on that. >> Very good. You'll take care of it. >> We'll take care of Thank you. >> All right. >> I just want to hear on this item transparency. >> Anybody got anything else? We will adjour uh do I hear a motion to adjurnn? >> No motions on the committee committee. Very good. >> Get to walk out >> at 7:15. >> Thank you.