USD 489 administration recommends enrollment fees stay as-is for 2015-16

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

USD 489 school board — USD 489 administrators and the BOE discuss agenda items at Monday’s work session at Washington Elementary, 305 Main St.

Hays USD 489 administration is recommending the Board of Education make no changes to the increased enrollment fees imposed in July for at least another school year.

At Monday evening’s work session at Washington Elementary School, Superintendent Dean Katt said despite the recent district court ruling in Shawnee Mission agreeing the state is not spending enough on public education, an expected appeal on that ruling and the fact legislators are dealing with around a $300 million budget shortfall, leaves the district with an uncertain budget for the 2015-16 school year.

“I honestly don’t see how (the state) can go without cutting something in education,” he said. “I know they will look at carry-over funds. … They will look at state aid which we don’t receive.”

“I am hoping — and not to the detriment of someone else — but hopefully that is where the cuts will come, but (the Legislature) is going to have to do something, there is no doubt,” Katt added. “We need to plan for this and, if something changes, we can always lower (the fees).”

Executive Director of Finance and Support Services Tracy Kaiser said the $50 activity fee increase at Hays Middle School and Hays High School, combined with the $60 increase to workbook/enrollment fees has generated $295,000 “critical” dollars for the district.

Kaiser said by the end of the school year, another $30,000 is expected from those making payments on the fees.

A kindergarten fee of $150 was also implemented by the board in July. That fee will remain, though board member Greg Schwartz noted the Legislature is scheduled to discuss the funding of kindergarten this session.

Schwartz asked if another local option budget ballot issue in April would be possible in lieu of keeping the increased fees for another year.

Katt said another LOB election is a possibility.

On June 27, voters soundly rejected a proposed 1 percent increase to the LOB, funds proponents said would have eliminated the need to increase enrollment fees and cut staff.

The board is expected to vote on the 2015-16 fees at next week’s board meeting, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 19 at Rockwell Administration Center.