School Board budget shows eroding general fund balance

The St. Landry Parish School Board budget scheduled for a vote today shows an eroding general fund balance.
The general fund, which is the budget area concerning most day-to-day operations of the school system, begins the year with a $15.3 million beginning balance. The new budget is projected to end the year with a $12.5 million balance.
Total general fund revenues for the budget year that began in July and ends June 30, 2017, is $114.2 million. Expenditures are budgeted at $116.8 million.
Major revenue sources are $37.8 million for local sources, $76.4 million for state sources and $53,000 from federal sources.
Major expenditures are $51.8 million for regular elementary and secondary programs, $16.2 million for special education, $3.9 million and for career and technical education.
Instructional costs total $73.9 million and support services are $40 million.
A public hearing was held Monday on the budget. No comments were received.
The school system employs about 2,000 people and total budgeted revenues are $136.7 million and expenditures are $146.6 million.
Highlights noted for the 2016-2017 budget year are:
— Decrease of $1.1 million in Minimum Foundation Program funding from the state. Additional MFP funding is noted, but additional students are expected to enroll in surrounding charter schools.
Decrease in retirement contributions of $630,000.
Decrease in general liability insurance premiums of $160,000.
Relocation of alternative program to cost $145,000.
Hiring 20 special education aides at a cost of $400,000. The aides replace Title I aides.
Hiring five special education teachers at a cost of $375,000.
Increase of $100,000 in phone expenses due to Erate funding decrease.
Hiring five permanent substitute bus drivers at a cost of $63,500.
Decrease MFP transfer to the lunch program costing $48,000.
Increase superintendent’s salary to the maximum to cost $40,000.
Replace administrative assistant with assistant principal at South Elementary to cost $12,000.
Half of supervisor of instruction for school choice to cost —$49,000.
Two principals retired and not replaced to save $160,000.