By Steve Stiffler
The Engadine Consolidated Schools Board of Education received positive news regarding its amended budget and academic progress during its recent board meeting, highlighting a higher-than-expected fund balance and statewide recognition for improving student attendance.
The board approved the district’s first budget amendment since the annual audit after a presentation by Kristie Anderson from the EUPISD. The amendment showed the district closing the fiscal year nearly $300,000 higher projected. This was attributed to higher than anticipated state funding and local grant revenue.
“Every year has done better and better,” Anderson told the board, noting the district is projected to end the current fiscal year with a fund balance equal to 12.1 percent of expenditures, a level considered financially healthy by state standards.
The district’s food service program has become fully self-sustaining and profitable, and its fund balance exceeds state limits. As a result, the district is required to implement a state-mandated “spend-down” plan. The school will look into purchasing new ovens, a serving station, or updated flooring and other kitchen improvements.
Superintendent Andrew Alversteffer reported the Michigan Department of Education has formally recognized Engadine Consolidated Schools as a statewide success for its reduction in chronic student absenteeism over the past several years. The district will be highlighted at an upcoming conference where its attendance strategies will be shared with educators from across the state.
The board also held a lengthy discussion on a proposal to shift the district’s property tax levy to the summer to reduce reliance on short-term tax anticipation loans, which cost the district an estimated $16,000 to $17,000 annually in interest. After considering additional collection fees and concerns about administrative burden and taxpayer confusion, the board rejected the proposal in a unanimous 5-0 vote, opting to maintain the current winter-only levy.
In other business, the board approved a new five-year lease agreement for the Consolidated Community School Services alternative education site in Newberry and postponed final action on the superintendent’s evaluation until January to allow full board participation.
