5/21/25
Finance Committee Meeting
Call to Order and Roll Call (8:04)
The meeting is called to order at 10:07 a.m. by Chairperson Jason Wautier. Roll call confirms all members (Jason Wautier & Liz Heimerl-Rolland) present. The meeting is recorded and held at the Fisher Administration Building.
Approval of Minutes (18:03)
Minutes from the April 9, 2025 meeting are approved unanimously.
Referendum Update and Security Systems Discussion (2:04)
The committee receives an update on the 2024 referendum projects. Schematic design for Phase 1 (lighting and door replacement) is complete. Phase 2 (additional projects) will be bid in separate packages. The district is working on implementing an integrated security system to unify alarm, surveillance, and access controls. The high schools are the top priority. Board members inquire about flexibility in pausing projects and discuss the importance of proceeding for safety and operational continuity. Concerns about future building configuration and ADA updates are addressed.
Lunch Fees Recommendation (18:26)
The committee recommends a $0.10 to $0.15 increase to lunch and breakfast prices to adjust for inflation. The food service fund (Fund 50) remains healthy. A motion to endorse the fee increases is passed and will be brought to the full board.
Enrollment and Financial Analytics (18:04)
District leadership presents updated enrollment data and trends. Overall enrollment is declining, especially in open enrollment students. Demographic breakdowns, economic disadvantage rates, and grade-level comparisons are shared. The discussion highlights challenges with uneven enrollment patterns across neighborhood schools and the impact on staffing and budgeting. Board members request cost-per-pupil analytics by school for future meetings.
Referendum Bidding and Purchasing Process (31:00)
The committee discusses a proposed structure for approving bid packages in bulk rather than piecemeal. Bid packages are expected in mid-2025 and 2026. Deliberate timing is planned to align with decisions from the secondary planning ad hoc committee. The board expresses support for this approach, especially given that multiple board terms will span the project timeline.
Director of Finance Report (41:20)
Finance Director Jessica Huinker shares budgetary trends and year-end projections. Topics include:
- Overspending in legal services and property services due to emergencies
- Increased spending on library and special ed transportation services not matched in budget
- Discussion of how coding differences and accounting practices impact perceived variances
- Clarification on special programs like Next Steps and unbudgeted needs like tuition to alternative placements
Discussion on Financial Oversight and Audit Practices (57:00)
The board addresses public calls for a forensic audit. Dr. Demond Means clarifies that a forensic audit is only warranted for suspected criminal activity and that annual third-party audits are already conducted. The district has added additional oversight through CESA 5. Treasurer Jason Wautier and other members affirm that all funds have been appropriately spent, and no fraudulent activity is suspected. Discussion continues about document transparency and future digitization of financial records.
Capital Improvement Planning and Emergency Facility Costs (1:13:40)
Kevin LaFountain and Scot Ecker review the capital improvement plan. Members discuss funding limitations, risk tolerance, and the need to prioritize emergency repairs. The board is advised that delaying critical infrastructure work increases risk and could lead to higher emergency costs. The committee supports continued updates and transparency via a project tracking document.
Health Insurance Update (1:20:30)
The committee closes with an update on the upcoming meeting with the Employee Health & Wellness Committee regarding benefits planning.