Liberty school officials, state financial panel discuss budget

Staff report

LIBERTY

Almost a year after the school district was placed in fiscal emergency, school officials met with the state-appointed financial oversight committee Wednesday.

Chairman Roger Nehls and his committee discussed appropriations and expenditures with Liberty Superintendent Stan Watson and Treasurer Jim Wilson.

The committee went through budget items from the previous school year as well as items for the upcoming year, said Nehls.

The district spent approximately $15.5 million from its general fund by the end of fiscal year 2012, which ended June 30. As of now, the district has appropriated roughly $14 million for fiscal year 2013.

Nehls said he doesn’t know when the district will begin to level off its finances from its involvement in LEARN and LEAD.

The conversion school leased rooms within school buildings but functioned as a separate entity from the district. The program would then pay for the leased space, staff salaries, benefits and educational equipment.

The plan was designed to yield additional revenue for the district. Instead, the program drove the school deeper into financial turmoil, which resulted in $1 million in cuts.

During the meeting, the committee also discussed future budget reductions.

“I think were looking at another set at some point,” said Nehls.

He said salaries and benefits typically represent more than 80 percent of the district’s budget. Nehls said the commission doesn’t intervene in negotiations between the district and employees, but he looks for some changes in the future.

“What we’re looking for is the financial impact at the other end,” said Nehls.

The next meeting with the commission is scheduled for Sept. 5 at 11 a.m.