Huff says small school districts have unique funding circumstances

Thursday, December 22, 2005

Nevada Daily Mail

Hume R-8 Superintendent Ryan Huff told the district's board of education during its last meeting that state school funding issues present special problems for small districts like Hume.

The district is a member of the Committee for Education Equality, a group comprised of several school districts that filed suit against the state relating to inequities in the state's funding formula for schools last year. Since then, legislators have revamped the system, but, Huff reported, CEE is still moving forward with the suit.

He also stated that Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt is pushing for public schools to spend 65 percent of revenues on classroom instruction -- not on administration, food services, custodial services, counseling, library services and support staff.

Huff reported that Hume schools currently are spending about 66 percent of revenues on instruction, but if the district should have to make a big purchase, such as a new school bus, a 65-percent requirement could be a problem. Obviously, that's because in small districts, such a purchase would represent a much larger percentage of the total budget than it would in a larger district. (See related story, page 3.)

Huff said a Joplin legislator has proposed a bill that would require districts to sign off on a document saying they are adequately funded, and if they're not adequately funding, these schools would have to set up a consolidation plan.

Legislators have also raised the notion of limiting reserve balances for school districts. Huff said it appears the state is trying to control how each district spends money -- not allowing taxpayers to decide the best way to spend the district's money.

In other business, the board discussed bid options for school buses. Bids for 65 and 66 passenger buses with and without seatbelts were discussed, and the board considered a number of options, including the notion of contracting bus service from a third party.

A committee was formed to decide exactly what is required and needed before asking for contracted bus bids. The board plans to request bids in January, to be considered at the board's February meeting.

In a review of other financial matters, Huff commented that some major expenses occurred during the past month. New computers for the library and computer lab were purchased with grant money, and some repairs still must be completed on the heating units in the gymnasium and fourth and fifth grade rooms.

Huff also reported that a benefit chili dinner and auction raised $2,081.

In executive session, the board voted to hire Hubert Heckadon as bus driver for the school's south route and the vo-tech route.

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