HomeMy WebLinkAbout20063068.tiff St. Vrain Valley
School District
October 23, 2006
Commissioner Mike Geile
Weld Co. Centennial Center Complex
915 10th St.
Greeley, CO 80632
Dear Commissioner Geile,
The St. Vrain Valley Board of Education knows that the health of the school district is
important to you and your constituents. In an effort to keep you informed about the
District, this new edition of the Financial Report to the Community is enclosed for your
review. This report highlights many facets of the District's financial condition. As an
elected official, you may be particularly interested in the District's approach to ongoing
financial accountability, the General Fund Budget, and the independent audit results.
The Board encourages you to review this report thoroughly and welcomes any questions
you may have about its content.
Sincerely,
Sandra Searls �T
President
Board of Education
/J 395 South Pratt Parkway • Longmont • CO • 80501-6499
0Nsr_AilL 4SY:44 ph: 303.776.6200• fax: 303.682.7343 • www.stvrain.k12.co.us 2006-3068
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Financial Report
to the Community
August 2006
T
Message from the Superintendent
Financial Arcola' 4bpfents Dear Community Members:
2003". " ; Achieving excellence can be measured in a variety of ways. For St.Vrain Valley
Highly Qualified Financial _ finances, two important indicators of financial credibility are highlighted this
Services Staff year. First, our school district boasts two consecutive years of award winning
• financial reporting from organizations that review and assess financial reports
Since mid-2003,Chief Financial Officer
of school districts for highest standards in government accounting and financial
Mark Pillmore and District Accountant
reporting. In addition, our school district is providing this second annual
Jane Schein, both CPAs, have provided
financial accountability report to the communities we serve.
accounting expertise for the District
This annual Finance Report to the Community describes how tax dollars are
Improvement inGeneral being spent. It also shows:
Fund Balance. : . ' • a new trend of financial accomplishments
Since June 2003;the fond l,�alanCe.has' • financial budget goals and challenges for the 2006-07 School Year
improved from a deficit,,°ofil'3.9 Million • a description of budget fund categories
to an unreserved .positive' balance:Of' ; 1 • comments from the latest audit report
approximately $2 million at:Jt '39;' ! ! • an outline of state regulatory compliance mandates for school district budgets
2006. This improvement is the'direct • the average per pupil revenues for St.Vrain Valley
result of improved budgeting;oversight • the average per pupil revenues for comparable school districts
and control at all levels of management. i • that community members participate in financial oversight
Improved Credit Ratings ' ' Thanks to the dedication of our professional and highly skilled staff and
In March 2006, Standard and Poor's community partners,St.Vrain Valley School District has re-established itself as
a District that provides sound financial stewardship and is recognized for quality
raised its credit rating two full notches
for the District. The reasons cited business operations. These accomplishments directly align with our Strategic
for this upgrade were strong financial Plan's organizational goals for financial well-being and our community goals
management, continuous reporting on for collaborative partnerships.
budget performance, and;the:dramatic Be sure to check with our Finance Department if you have any questions. Both
turnaround of tie fund balance:, Mark Pillmore, CPA, Chief Financial Officer, and Jane Schein, CPA, District
< ; Accountant,can provide you with more information.
Taxp r $s-,
ro . ';' • , ' ' • ' Sincerely,
' .RetbjlhB.>
lt sds;
in AI r I , aP1P ate $433 C��
million'in refunding bonds were sold at '
an average rate df'4.lt I7'a "MU refunding
will reduce future'l id payments by Dr. Randy Zila
nearly $3 millian;,h.'s1 tifi0, t;savaags, Superintendent of Schools
W tax 'payers;m Years 2006 to 2A22.. , . ,
Certificates of Achievement
In May 2006, the Government Finance
Officers' Association awarded the
District its Certificate of Achievement • I
for excellence in governmental
; accounting and financial reporting for t f
the second consecutive year. In July,the '; ti
ii
Association of School Business Officials y •0
International also awarded a similar !-Iv", . 1 „:..,....r.•
certificate for the second consecutive *,� k• . Y `
year. The District's attainment of these ,•..l!# •
recognitions represents a significant
accomplishment in meeting high , , ii,,
_ `tl-'‘ .--*r' ' " ]
standards of financial management. '`• i*
, , , tit_' a' c
4. --- 4• "71i- ?fflf ` .t : ••f.
Dr. Zila playing a math game with students at Columbine Elementary.
2
St.Vrain Valley School District
Mill Levy History •
41.02 40.38 40.09 39.98 Our Mission
40 — 36.25 To educate each student in a safe
learning environment so that they may
30 — 9.33 14.23 14.23 14.23 14.23 develop to their highest potential and
become contributing citizens.
20
10
26.92 26.79 26.15 25.86 25.75
0 t I I Our Vision
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 To be an exemplary school district
- General + Bond Total Combined which inspires and promotes high
Fund* Fund** Levy standards of learning and student
well-being in partnership with parents,
* General Fund **School Bonds guardians,and the community.
State,property and specific use Can be used for building,construction
' taxes plus other local revenues to and capital expenses. It cannot be
be used for operating expenses. used for operating expenses.
Student Enrollment I.
- r"` s ' • k " ,E« , F`
, . . .. Goals & Chalk b
Full Time(FTE)Student Enrollment : , "r�'�k t t ` '`'
Actual/Estimated October 1 Counts ;;: : . .j.4,for the 2006-07 Scltow�r e e k
23000 ..,. ;;.�a 4:s R. Ficptpoial4,,,, et , **.,a k
r, , w 4 , k'. k P-� i C t N f,4 i}' t
`)t nary 20.. the Board of "' - x !
t 4 i.y r 4 t .
tt e i4 f',
22382 `.;;F,�14tion set t$ following operating,
�; .�, Pe g
k llu t'e,pend> re priorities ill Y .
22000 — x*ta lance st achievement <' ' .
2 l 636 � �aA
nrt�school accreditation: ; .:°`:"_ » r
'. •Attract a$retain superi0> b$S, •
•
21000 — I. . ; mini�.7�{�y�(�{L!ors and statt .'
20724 I, . , • 4G41htgR
t.• • + o Obtnpetitive compensatiob:
20175 ' r pac4g�s : , ; _
2ooaa — 19788 • t• ltgu existing'resources to support
the Strategic Plan
— 19212 • Iticrease staff time and provide
adequate budget for professional
19000 — development
— • Align curriculum with standards
• Improve the General Fund ending
18000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 • ` balance by at least$1 million
3
How Schools Are Funded
How St.Vrain Schools Are Funded Every homeowner and business owner in Colorado pays property taxes for
Primary Sources for the 2006-07 schools, along with taxes for other public services. Each year, the budget
General Fund Budget crafted by the Governor and the legislature determines how much of the
Local state's total budget is allocated to education. The portion allocated for K-12
Property education is then divided among 178 school districts throughout the state using
State Taxes the state's School Finance Act funding formulas. These formulas determine
Income, 35% how much money each district will receive per pupil per year as well as how
Sales& Use much of that funding is paid by the state and how much is paid through local
Taxes Specific taxes. Currently, the state pays an average of about 60 percent of the funding
59% `*� Use Tax for local school districts, with 40 percent coming from local taxes. Based on
.
5% the funding allocation from the state, each school district decides how to fund
Other Local its local system.
Revenue 1% For 2006-07 budgeting purposes, the funding formula resulted in a total of
$6,258 per pupil revenue for St. Vrain Valley schools, including the additional
Amendment 23 funding. From this amount, $279 is required to be transferred
to the Capital Reserve and Risk Management funds leaving$5,979 per pupil revenue or approximately$133.8 million in General Fund
operating funds. Other General Fund revenue sources total about$8.5 million,for a total of$142.3 million.
Colorado law allows local school districts to ask voters to approve additional operational funding for their district through local tax
increases called mill levy overrides.This additional funding is capped by state law. All override revenues come from increased property
taxes. A district's authorization to raise and expend override revenues does not affect the amount of state funding the district receives.
The St.Vrain Valley School District does not have a voter-approved override at this time.
2 .8 4 �-0 P :L.7:'
District Per Pupil (*snifflertiffiti r, . '" _i ,�'"
.^ r Yeat I ' "S, 6 qs*i; b6-07
e
Operating Revenue bpi •a • $5,676 $5,818 $5,957 $6,064 $6,258
For the 2006-07 school year, the District is estimating Les x�, , * x
that there will be 22,382 full time students, which is P" . -., X 4° .S, $260 $262 $268 $271 $279
an increase of 746 students or 3.5% over the previous }�',a °0o rra V.. ts, .
4`� 7 `f" t:'a '$ + $5,416 $5,556 $5,689 $5793 $5,979
year. The number of full time students times the per rev?O ;f ; en °f
pupil operating revenue (PPOR) provides over 94%o of ere4"mss ,k :gi " 9.0% 2.6% 2.6% 1.8% 3.2%
the budgeted revenue.
The PPOR figures in the adjacent table are the total amounts provided by the state funding formula for each student. In reality every
child is different, with different needs and different demands on the school system. Some expenses are targeted to specific groups
of students such as special needs students, gifted students or students learning English as a second language. As a result, the actual
expenditures for a specific student will vary from the figures listed.
F
Out of Every Tax Dollar . . .
820 150 30
is used for direct instruction is spent on school is used for District-wide
' F. '! 2 LI. .t , l'-:_'ail r , "_ and classroom support }. -• 1 operations,including° services such as human
t I t7,;.1,t, r T e 05040302 These funds are used _ ' transportation, a resources,payroll and
`r �.4 for such expenditures as g ,,,,
- µa s;, utilities, A I other financial services,
# .! ., x classroom teachers and aides, maintenance, legal services,clerical
• ,,F 4 textbooks and supplies, a I - t support,learning services
+ I ' custodial services, pp
'°A �'059 02Y ,. $ I
librarians,counselors, s, ¢
i> • -4 y� , a printing,purchasing t., offices and support
4 1,�. - -,� school principals and extra �l' p g y ,
__ e � .»er,��a -- — s — ' and technology. services offices.
curricular activities. —
4
S • • . , . . . I
Annual General Fund Operating Budget How Dollars Are Spent
The General Fund operating budget is comprised of dollars that are The St. Vrain Valley School District's annual
used to cover the day-to-day expenses of the District. General Fund operating budget is used to teach
students,purchase textbooks and other classroom
supplies, provide student transportation, and
maintain school buildings and grounds. It funds
General Fund Operating Budget special education programs and the following:
for 2006-07 school-based focus programs, charter schools
Charter and programs for students for whom English
Purchased Schools Capital Outlay is a second language. It is used to pay salaries
Services 5.4% &Other for teachers and other staff, provide health
5.9% 0.5% and retirement benefits and support additional
' ongoing professional training.
Supplies&
Materials Salaries& How Dollars Are Spent
6.6% Benefits Expenditures in the 2006-07
General Fund Budget
81.6% g
Building Central
Source: Superintendent's 2007 Fiscal Year Budget Support Support
Adopted June 2,2006 at www stvrain kI2 co.us 14.9% 2.6%
Genera) Fund Budget for Staff& Operation
• fiscal Yen 06-O7Adopted Classroom
• Support Direct
FuN Tigry SAmount % 18.0% Instruction
64.5/o Ap*ated a.1
Direct Instruction -Teaching
(classroom teachers,special education and 1,320 $86,258,000' 64.5%
English as a Second Language teachers,
teacher's aides,textbooks,supplies) Salaries . & Benefits make up a
Classroom Support significant portion of the District's operating
(librarians,counselors,school principals budget, with over 69% of the total going
and assistant principals,support staff such 569 $23,976,000, 18.0% toward direct instruction.
as speech services,attendance,extra-
curricular activities,etc.)
Building Support
(student transportation,utilities, 264' $19,906,000 14.9%
maintenance,custodial services,printing, Salary & Benefits Breakdown
purchasing,technology services,etc.) General Fund Operating Budget for 2006-07
Support Central
(human resources,finance,payroll,
Central Support/Administration
Support Support
budgeting,legal,clerical support, 81 $3,523,000 2.6% 10.1% ,� "I 2.0%
w
N supervision of instruction,community t
relations,communications,
superintendent's office,etc.) 't t°
Subtotal 2,234 $133,663,000 100%
Charter Schools $7,582,00O Classroom
9— 4 _ Support
' General F
y $ 18.7°/n
1414 Direct Instruction
�£ r;r� i ` � 5x000 69.2%
5
i
Other School Funding Annual Financial Audit
In addition to the General Fund expenditure budget of S I42 The District is audited annually on its financial performance and
million, the District manages a number of other funds, which for state accreditation. The nationally recognized independent
total approximately $148 million. Examples of these funds auditing firm of Grant Thornton, LLP has provided financial
are described below audit services to the District since 2003.
Dedicated Revenue Funds such as the Colorado Preschool As a result of the financial audit by Grant Thornton, LLP in the
and Kindergarten Program or the Student Scholarship Fund, fall of2005,the District received an unqualified clean opinion. In
are directed to schools to support students for specifically addition,the auditors commended the District for the"combined
identified reasons. efforts of the Board management and the Finance and Audit
Bond Redemption Fund is made up of dedicated local property Committee to significantly improve the District's financial
tax revenues, held in trust by Wells Fargo Bank, that are used position." The auditors offered minor recommendations for
to pay the principal and interest commitments resulting from improvement,which have been incorporated.
voter-approved capital school bond sales.
Capital Reserve and Risk Management Funds contain Compliance with State Laws
the $279 per student transferred from total state funding to
purchase land, construct or improve facilities and to provide Tabor Reserve(including District contingency reserve)
liability insurance coverage. Fully funded using a combination of a portion of the fund
balance of the Risk Management Fund, and the designation of
Community Education Fund provides such activities as undeveloped land as authorized by state law.
driver's education,after-school programs,community activities Instructional Supplies and Materials
and adult student programs. This fund is self-supporting as a In addition to fully funding the 2006-07 requirements, the
result of participant fees.
operating budget contains a carryover of $4.7 million of
Grants Fund is made up of federal, state, foundation and unexpended funds from prior years.
other funds that have been awarded to the District for specific Transfer to Capital Reserve and Risk Management
programs such as Title I (additional support for students in The amount required by law, $279 per student, has been
poverty), hearing impaired, special education, English as a
r Second Language, and special projects including student drug transferred to these two funds. The Board determines the
division of the $279 between the two funds.
&alcohol prevention and safety programs.
Food Service Fund is a self-supporting fund. St. Vrain Valley
schools serve 10,800 lunches each day in addition to providing Employment
a breakfast program and ala carte items. This program receives St. Vrain Valley School District continues to be one of the
approximately 59%of its income from cash sales and 41%from largest employers in the region with over 3,000 total employees.
the Federal School Lunch and Breakfast Program. The salary and benefit packages remain competitive with
Student Activity Fund contains funds from student fundraisers, surrounding employers.
donations and gate receipts that support school-sponsored Our students deserve the very best and as such we are always
interscholastic and intrascholastic athletic, performing arts and seeking employment applications from energetic and talented
other student-related events. individuals who commit themselves to doing whatever it takes
to be successful with each and every student. If you know
r someone who would be a great employee for the District please
t . + a z �' * refer them to our web site for a listing of our current vacancies,
4" " r u r rr r salary schedules and benefit packages.
%xg
may,
Employee Profile
*r t for the 2005-06 School Year
I
' \ \ I Total# Retention Rate
Teachers 1,474 81%
'. Classified Staff 958 53%
�' Substitutes 650 N/A
Administrators 90 70%
Since mid-2003,Chief Financial Officer and CPA Total 3,172 71%
Mark Pillmore has provided accounting expertise for the District.
6
Per Pupil Funding Comparison
'...... Mill Levy Override Impacts 2005-06
$1,500 Additional Funding over St.Vrain
$1,000
$500 -
$0
$0 gv a d. thin
Funding Comparisons with Area Districts
$8,000 * Revenues
$7,334 59% State, Income,
$7 038 Sales& Use Taxes
$7,000 $6,717
$6,584 ' 35% Local Property
$6,332 Taxes(Mill Levies)
$6,064 $715 $1,014 $1,219
$6,000 $524 $800 5% Specific Use Tax
No
Mill
Levy idy 1% Other Local
O
veract-
Revenues
'.........
$5,000 Revenues
$6,064 S5,798 S5,784 $6,002 56,024 $6,115 •
** Mill Levy Override
$4,000 St Vrain Loveland Ft Collins NorthglennJefferson Boulder These funds can be used for
(Thompson) (Poudre) (Adams 12) County operating expenses
■ Per Pupil Revenue + ■ Local Mill Levy = Total PPR& MLO
(PPR)* Override(MLO)**
2002 School Bond Funds and Projects
In November 2002,voters approved the issuance of$212.9 million in bonds to build 10 new schools,supply building system replacements,
provide remodels and additions, add and update safety and security systems, upgrade technology and renovate athletic facilities. To
date, $156 million in bonds or 73% of the total have been sold. These proceeds, which are accounted for in the Building Fund, are
restricted and can only be used for capital expenditures. They cannot be used for general operating expenses such as salaries.
Of the 61 sizeable projects included in the 2002 Bond,the majority of them have been completed. This includes building and opening
Legacy Elementary School(Frederick),Alpine Elementary School(northeast Longmont),and Coal Ridge Middle School(Firestone).
Trail Ridge Middle School (northeast Longmont), Erie High School(Erie)and Altona Middle School (southwest Longmont)opened
in the 2005-06 school year. Due to favorable construction bids on a number of major projects,approximately$6.3 million of the$156
million in bonds are unencumbered as of August 2006.
A citizens Community Bond Review Committee provides monthly oversight of all aspects of each individual project.
More information on the District's finances can be found in the"Official Statement"prepared for the issuance of bonds in the Spring of 2006.
More information on school finances in general can be found on the Colorado Department of Education's web site,www.cde.state.co.us in the
' document entitled"Understanding Colorado School Finance and Categorical Program Funding." '....
The St.Vrain Valley School District RE-',I is an equal opportunity educational institution and docs not discriminate
on the basis of race,color,religion.sex.national origin,age or disability in its educational programs,activities or employment.
7
Financial Accountability is a Partnership
The District, the Board of Education and the Community Community Budget Advisory Committee—Established 2004
The Board of Education has ultimate responsibility for the financial This citizens' committee meets regularly and has participated in
well being of the District. In 2002,the Board authorized ate hiring of the development of an annual District-wide budget process that is
a highly qualified financial staff and engaged both District staff and based on strategic plan priorities and includes a supporting process
community members to assist in overseeing various portions of the that is participative and understandable.
District's financial processes. The committees and activities currently Chair: Greg Watson, Director of Finance, Sun Microsystems
in place to review, report on and improve the level of financial
accountability are listed below. In addition, the Superintendent Community Budget Reviews—Beginning 2004
also sponsors a number of advisory committees where the financial Following the timeline outlined in the newly developed Budget
health of the District is routinely discussed. Guidance Manual, Chief Financial Officer Mark Pillmore,
together with the Community Budget Advisory Committee,
Monthly Financial Review —Established 2003 held public budget review meetings in February, March,
On the fourth Thursday of each month, the financial status of all and April 2006. During these meetings, Pillmore reviewed
District funds, including variances, cash flow, state loans and the District's financial data and provided an opportunity for
investments,is presented to the public and news media during a Board citizens to review the proposed 2006-07 budget and provide
work session. This information is available in printed format from input to the budgeting process.
the Public Information Department and in electronic format on the
District's web site following the monthly work session. Community Bond Review Committee—Established 2003
This committee, made up of citizens representing each of the
Finance and Audit Committee—Established 2003 high school area feeder systems, meets monthly. Many of the
This community advisory team,made up ofprivate citizens with financial current members were also involved with the development of
backgrounds,meets twice a month to provide independent oversight for the November 2002 bond package. These citizens provide
the District's financial reporting process,the internal control systems thorough oversight of the dollars and building projects included
and the annual independent audit of the District. The committee's focus in the 2002 school bond.
is on both District-level and school-level financial accountability. Chair: Debbie Lammers, Citizen and Niwot Parent
Chair: Debi Edwards, CPA
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