The public was silent on the budget presentation for Dysart Unified Schol District.
A public hearing took place May 12 prior the start of the DUSD governing board meeting regarding the 2020-21 revised expendenditure budget.
Ken Hicks, DUSD assistant superintendent for business services, presented information that is required by school districts to make all revisions that may resujlts in a decrease in budget limits and that districts may make any of the described revisions that result in an increase in budget limits. This according to Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) §15-905
The maintenance and operation budget fund limit was decreased by $4.4 million for a total adjusted budget limit of $170.6 million for fiscal year 2020-21. The unrestricted capital budget limit was decreased by $924 for a total budget limit of $13.6 million for fiscal year 2020-21.
Mr. Hicks said the decrease was expected as in December the Arizona Department of Education had not completed the school student data and reduction for the 100th day nor the remote learning reduction, which both applied.
“We knew enrollment would be down due to increased competition and we budgeted for a reduction. Because of COVID it went down approximately 600 students and we were planning on 720, but ended up with reduction of almost 900 students,” he said.
Mr. Hicks explained the second half of the reduction was because of remote learning. Per Gov. Doug Ducey’s executive order, all students not in person were recorded at a loss of 5% of funding for every student online and the reduction came to DUSD at a cost of $2 million.
Captial unrestricted funds did not change much because it used prior year’s student count. Additionally, classroom site funds had minor adjustments.
“Still looking at budgeting almost 62% of monies going into classrooms and not just where we budgeted, but where we actually spend and you can see instruction going up a little bit and you can see administration costs holding. Plant operations is down and that is specifically because of the federal funds for COVID releief. Due to the federal support, our custodial costs were taken out and transportation costs were down a little,” Mr. Hicks said.
Reporter Jennifer Jimenez can be reached at jjimenez@newszap.com or follow her on Twitter @SCW_Independent.
I am passionate about sports and community writing and shining the light on positivity, while delivering the facts. I have been with the Independent team for five months, but in the game for 15 years. I am a proud Grand Canyon University alumni. Born and raised in Peoria, I also am blessed to have a street named after me called Jennifer Rose Court.
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