MENDOTA – Bill Newkirk of Newkirk & Associates gave the audit presentation at the Sept. 21 District 289 Board of Education meeting.

With only a couple of minor findings, Newkirk stated that it was a “clean” audit and the district’s books are in good shape.

He then discussed the Lee County tax levy calculation error that will impact the district by $188,000 less in revenue this year. Although the district will eventually receive the money, they will have to make adjustments in the budget to accommodate for the loss. Board members recommended Kristen School, district superintendent to try to seek reimbursement of the money owed from Lee County prior to the tax bill adjustment next year.

With the evidence-based funding model passed in the legislature, and prior to the news of the accounting error, School was hoping to give the board good news on the projected budget. “If we were receiving $188,000 from Lee County, like we were supposed to, we would actually have a budget projected to be in the black for the first time in a long, long, long time,” she said.

As of now, the district’s projected revenue is $11,995,538 with an anticipated expenditure of $12,049,455.

The district has already started to receive general state aid payments. “It is quite possible that if the state pays more than they did last year in categoricals, we are going to end up with a budget in the black,” said School.

Even with a projected balance of only -$53,917 in the FY18 budget, the Education Fund is the largest shortfall and remains in the red at $256,000.

Still, School commented, “We are living within our means to have a budget like this come forth.”

In other news

The district is still seeking a cafeteria director. School noted that zero applications have been received for the position. She has been researching using a food service company, however, she noted that it is a large process to begin that route and it could not happen this school year. The position will be vacant in January when the current director retires.

The board will have their strategic planning committee meetings in October. They are still in the process of finding parents that might be interested in serving on the committee. Anyone interested should contact School or one of the building principals.

And School publicly thanked Kenny Otterbach for removing and replacing the concrete drain tile and retaining wall at the creek at Northbrook.

In action items

A one-time transfer of $13,000 from the Life Safety Fund to the Building Fund for pipe repairs and associated concrete work at Lincoln School was approved. Walter Brothers will repair the leak on the main water supply pipe at Lincoln School at a cost of $2,600. To finish the project, Rose Concrete was approved to remove and replace concrete at a cost of $9,708.

IV Construction was approved to replace the roof and fascia areas of the Northbrook garage at a total cost of $4,900.

An 8^th grade honors algebra course beginning in 2018 was approved. The course will be held at Mendota High School. Selected students opting to participate will be required to pay an additional fee.

Finally, an increase of the base hourly rate for custodians and cafeteria was set at $9.50, teacher aides at $9.95, aides with teaching certificates at $10.80, and additionally all those receiving less per hour raised to the new rates.