Week 4 Part 4 Personnel Salaries

Week 4 Part 4 Personnel Salaries in District Budgets

 In the absence my Superintendent and the District’s Business Manager, I had the opportunity to interview one of my Site Supervisors Lydia Bahnsen who is a certified Superintendent and currently in the Lamar doctorial program.

The total expenditures for district are in the amount of $170,575,603.  The amount of $132,860,845 representing 77.9% or 78% is related to personnel salaries.   The other remaining portions of the expenditures indicate other opera ting cost in the amount of $30,581.840 or 17.9% and the capital outlay is 4.2% or $7,132,918.  It was noted in the interview that the Fund balance at the end of the year 2009-2010 (audited) reflected a decrease from the previous year;  the percentage /rate was not available on the 2010-2011 AEIS report. However, 24.4% of the Total Budgeted Expenditures for 2010-2011 was noted, but the total amount for 2010-2011 was not available.

In comparison to the General Fund Summary of Revenues and Expenditures the districts payroll costs for the current budget year 2011 reflected $130,299,672 which is a decrease from last year.  She mentioned the fact that last year at the high school level coaches had extra off periods to coach instead of teaching a course.  Additionally staff was hired to teach classes during those off periods.  This year the extra off periods were removed and the coaches have to teach classes.  This reduced the number of extra personnel hired as well as the cost of the extra hire. 

Our Superintendent stated last year that there would be no salary increases and that everyone would have a job there would be no reduction in staff.  District staff received incentive pay based on the campus performances. 

In reference to the 5% salary increase for all personnel she said as Superintendent an intense look at the Revenue increase and tax rate would be determining factors to consider.   You have to know that in the process districts collect more money or have to replace money not available.  District officials must be aware of the surrounding competition around them by completing a comparison analysis of average teacher salaries and other benefits.  As superintendent you want to provide salary increases as often as possible. Usually each year our district personnel receive a salary increase, but unlike this year salary increases were not possible.

  However, a 5% raise without doubt would motivate and increase employee morale, but is not likely to occur with the massive budget cuts that have taken place this year.  On the negative end, she stated to just be aware of the Operating Cost and the Capital Outlay, because they are included in the total expenditures and sometimes districts have to revamp their expenditures.