Schools' budget approved

External cost adjustments do make for a better budget.

Tuesday night, the Sweetwater County School District No. 2 board passed the 2015-2016 budget. The $65.9 million budget, without those cost adjustments, would have been a bit more difficult to build. Pete Brandjord, business manager for the district, said it was the best budget his office put together since the last cost adjustments in 2010.

According to the budget’s introductory page, the district’s assessed valuation decreased slightly by approximately $2 million, leaving the valuation of the district at $1.01 billion. The decrease represents a $51,633 drop from the previous year’s mill levy revenue, resulting in $25,284,755 being generated. The valuation, like Sweetwater County’s, is tied to mineral wealth. Brandjord expects the district’s valuation to further decline for next year’s budget, citing decreases in local oil and gas activity. Another problem the district faces is the upcoming recalibration for school funding, which could hurt the district cash flows from the state. Brandjord cited a common argument local politicians have used in regards to the state.

“We send our money to Cheyenne, we have to beg to get it back,” Brandjord said.

Due to uncertainties regarding minerals, the budget was built conservatively, but allows for a competitive compensation package. According to budget documents, the district’s starting salary is 4.8 percent higher than the average starting salary throughout Wyoming’s districts. The starting salary for teachers is also the fifth highest starting salary in the state.

Broken out, appropriations in the district’s general fund are projected to be $42 million, with revenue projected to come in at $41 million. Special reserve funds, which accounts for grants received by the district have $3.7 million in appropriations, with revenue expected to be at $4.1 million. The district’s recreation board allocation, a special fund with a one mill levy, are estimated to bring in approximately $1 million. Money available to the board in this fund total $2.06 million, which does include $555,793 for aquatic center operations and a turf and track renovation budgeted at $350,000. Debt service for the Green River Aquatic Center bonds passed in 2012 will total $1.7 million. The outstanding principal on the bonds in June was listed at $9.1 million, and will be paid off June 15, 2021.

Student activities are budgeted at $954,462, with $630,000 projected in revenue and a $324,462 in cash already available. The capital projects fund, dealing with large construction projects within the district, has appropriations budgeted at $11.8 million, with revenues of $10.2 million budgeted and a beginning fund balance of $1.6 million available. During the new fiscal year, the two major projects the district works on are the renovation at Monroe Intermediate School and the conversion of Wilson Elementary School.