Board Approved at 10/11/2011 Board Meeting
Budget Hearing and Annual District Meeting of the School District of Elmbrook
Central Administrative Offices Board Room
September 26, 2011
Present: Allgaier, Brunner (attended the Annual Meeting), Gehl, Lambert, Wartman, Wilson, and Ziegler (attended the Annual Meeting); administrative staff, and approximately 24 electors
The Budget Hearing for the 2011-2012 Operating Budget of the School District of Elmbrook was called to order at 6:02 p.m. by President Tom Gehl.
Treasurer Glen Allgaier reviewed legislation enacted in 1993 that affected revenues and expenditures in response to electorate concerns about rising taxes that included Revenue Cap that allows per student increase of 2% (was 2.6% until 2009-2010), QEO (Qualified Economic Offer) that set teacher salary and benefits at 3.8% (in July, 2009 was replaced by revised interest arbitration standards), State Aid that averages 67% across all districts but is less for “property rich” districts, and voter option to override revenue caps. Dr. Allgaier reviewed the five-year financial projection that shows an updated five-year $8.7 million shortfall, reported on impact of Act 10 (Budget Repair Bill) on property tax, reviewed salary and benefits, reviewed administration expenses, and reported on District enrollment and previous program and service reductions across the District. Dr. Allgaier reported on 2011-2012 expenditures and revenues in all District funds and the District’s Fund Balance.
Audience questions included Don Bardonner asking the negative impacts on District students from previous reductions [Matt Gibson reported that the long-term impact is unknown at this time; however, the District is attempting to sustain resources for subgroups. Dr. Gibson reviewed previous program/services reductions including at elementary school, foreign language, third grade orchestra, reduction of six to four librarians at six elementary schools, and increased class size; in middle school reading as a separate class, reduction of two full-time to two half-time librarians, sixth grade general music, increased music lesson size, and increased class size; and at high reducing school reading as a separate class, driver’s education, and increased class size]. Sergei Rakovshik asked if the District benchmarks with competing districts to address the budget shortfall.
President Tom Gehl read the 2009-2010 Gift Donors list that included donations totaled more than $514,000. Donors and the schools/programs where donations were made included: Brookfield Elementary: Brookfield Elementary PTO, Elmbrook Education Foundation, Hellman’s Driving Range, and Wheaton Franciscan Services, Inc.; Burleigh Elementary: Burleigh Elementary PTO, Elmbrook Education Foundation, Hellman’s Driving Range, Northwestern Mutual Foundation, and Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin; Dixon Elementary: Dixon Elementary PTO, Elmbrook Education Foundation, Hellman’s Driving Range; Hillside Elementary: Sherri Bergren, Elmbrook Education Foundation, Hellman’s Driving Range, and Hillside Elementary PTO; Swanson Elementary: Elmbrook Education Foundation, Hellman’s Driving Range, Cheryl Lavendar, Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Levie, Office Max, and Swanson Elementary PTO; Tonawanda Elementary: Brady Corporation Benefit Walk CH2M, Elmbrook Education Foundation, Gopher Sport, Hellman’s Driving Range, Tonawanda Elementary PTO, and Wells Fargo Foundation; Pilgrim Park Middle School: Mary Lou Barnes, Elmbrook Education Foundation, Hellman’s Driving Range, Colleen O’Laughlin, Northwestern Mutual Foundation, and Pilgrim Park PTO; Wisconsin Hills Middle School: Elmbrook Education Foundation, Hellman’s Driving Range, and Wisconsin Hills PTO; Fairview South: Dollar General Literacy Foundation, Elmbrook Education Foundation, Friends of Fairview South, and Eric Haertle; Brookfield Central: Brookfield Central Boys Basketball, Brookfield Youth Football, BC2, Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Markey, and Outback/Fleming’s LLC; Brookfield East: Amato Family Foundation, Le Albers, Brookfield East PTO, Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Domach, East 2010 & Beyond, Elmbrook Education Foundation, Friends of Fine Arts, Brian & Jenny Holtbeck, KHS USA, Jeffrey Kalenak, Kathleen Muldowney, Craig Kuehl, Bob McCann, Mark Scott, Spartan Athletic Booster Club, Spartan Youth Basketball, Spartan Youth Football, and Younker & Jerri Wang; District: City of Brookfield, Kern Family Foundation, and Wild Country Game Farm.
Motion by Meg Wartman to adjourn the Budget Hearing. The motion was seconded by Jean Lambert. The Budget Hearing adjourned at 6:37 p.m.
The 46th Annual District Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Board President Tom Gehl in accordance with Wis. Stats. 120.08. The Pledge of Allegiance was lead by Robin DeJacinto. Board Clerk Jean Lambert read the official meeting notice. Mr. Gehl thanked Melissa Shi, Hannah Miner, Elliott Rashed, and Aaron Darr for entertaining the audience prior to and following the Budget Hearing.
President Tom Gehl requested nominations for Chairperson of the meeting. Cindy Allgaier nominated Jeff Speaker. There were no further nominations from the floor. The nomination of Mr. Jeff Speaker as Chair of the Annual Meeting carried on a voice vote. The meeting was turned over to Mr. Speaker at 7:03 p.m. Mr. Dave DeAngelis, Village Manager of Elm Grove, was introduced as Parliamentarian. Mr. Speaker reviewed rules governing speaking and voting during the Annual Meeting; introduced tellers Melinda Mueller and teller chair Cindy Frey; and thanked registrars, Michelle Hoffman, Jeanne Siegenthaler, and Cindy Frey.
Motion by Jean Lambert to approve the Annual Meeting agenda. The motion was seconded by Meg Wartman and carried on a voice vote.
Superintendent Matt Gibson reported on student achievement. Board President Tom Gehl reported on the impact of the 2011-2013 State Budget and Wisconsin Act 10 on the District’s five-year budget projections, and decisions made to balance the 2011-2012 budget.
Mr. Speaker conducted the Oath of Residency for 2 residents and provided each resident a ballot.
Motion by Glen Allgaier that the electorate authorizes the reimbursement of actual and necessary Board members' expenses for travel outside the school district in the performance of duties. The motion was seconded by Bob Zeigler. Mr. Speaker reported that the 2011-2012 budget for actual and necessary Board members expenses for travel outside the school district in performance of duties is $1,600.00 for the entire Board. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Glen Allgaier that the 2011-2012 salary for each Board member remains at $3,600. The motion was seconded by Meg Wartman. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Glen Allgaier that a tax levy of $65,661,153 be approved for the General Fund; that a tax levy of $665,000 be approved for the Non-Referendum Debt Service Fund; that a tax levy of $5,154,671 be approved for the Referendum-Approved Debt Service Fund; and that a tax levy of $497,891 be approved for the Community Service Fund to support the School District of Elmbrook 2011-2012 budget. The motion was seconded by Dick Brunner.
Amendment by Julie Doyle that the tax levy includes $1.5 million to cover operating expenses for the next school year of Hillside School thereby preventing its closure. Seconded by Chuck Bloom. Mr. DeAngelis reported that the amendment specifically to increase the levy in the school year it is currently funded would not have standing.
A paper ballot was requested for voting on the motion.
Matt Gibson was asked by Sergei Rakovshik how the District compares to other school districts in the area when addressing the budget shortfall. Dr. Gibson responded by stating that all school districts are addressing budget shortfalls in different ways. Elmbrook has a five year rolling financial plan process; unless a school district’s enrollment is increasing, they are increasing class sizes [Elmbrook is using moderately]; Mequon/Thiensville did close one elementary school as a cost measure; and districts are attempting to look at reduction of operational items other than programs and services as is Elmbrook.
Mr. Speaker announced voting on the tax levy motion, Yes=16 and No=6. The motion carried.
Motion by Chuck Bloom to adjourn the Annual Meeting. Seconded by Don Bardonner. The Annual Meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
/s/Thomas D. Gehl, Board President
