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Editor:
Attn: Versailles School District Citizens
Educate Versailles
Description and Mission Statement
Description
Educate Versailles is a non-profit organization whose goal is to
educate Versailles School dis-trict taxpayers about the fiscal
policy and quality of education issues facing
Versailles schools and the education system in Ohio.
Mission Statement
Through research, discussion and comparison obtain a comprehensive
understand-ing of the op-erations of the Versailles School system
including fiscal policy, school procedures, labor con-tracts and
long term planning. We will convey this informa-tion and
any recommendations to school district taxpayers through various media
so they will be afforded the knowledge to cast a fair and
informed vote at the bal-lot box.
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This organization was formed because of concern about the financial
stability of our school dis-trict. A review of the Versailles
schools audited financials, 5 year forecasts and a study of
the Master Agreement between the Versailles Education Assoc.
(VEA) and the Board of Education (BOE) cause us serious
concern. Our estimate of a $2,600,000 deficit in the next fiscal
year fuels that concern. This concern was expressed to the
entire BOE and Administration at the monthly board meeting on Feb. 15.
Presently the state funds 57% or $6 million of the annual budget
of approximately $11,000,000. The state has signaled it
intends to reduce funding by 10 -20% and will announce this by
March 15. If a 15% reduction occurs (est. $900,000) and there is 0%
increase in spending, comparing FY 2011 vs. 2012, the result will be an
estimated deficit of $2,600,000.
These deficits began in FY 2010 ($251,363) and 2011 ($1,399,000) and
would have been higher had it not been for the $800,000 federal
stimulus funds that were received and expended.
The audited statements also reveal revenue generated by the
school Income tax has declined the past 2 years. Translation:
District citizens have suffered a combination of stagnant wages,
reduc-tions in wages and or possible job losses. The near future
doesn’t appear to be improving with Ohio facing an $8 BILLION deficit
and our country over $14 TRILLION in debt. Citizens may not look
favorably on a request for a tax increase from any entity.
So what must be done? A review of the financial
statements reveal that approximately 85% of the
expenses were for personal services ( salaries and benefits).
Teachers (93) average salaries have risen from nearly $52,000 in
2008 to $58,904.77 this year. The teachers contract (master
agreement) specifies 184 work days (regular teaching
employees) at 7hrs. and 5 minutes per day. The $58,904.77
computes to an average of $45.00 per hour. When factoring in
benefits the average teacher pay is in excess of $75,000 per
year. Benefits include:
• District contribution of an additional 14% of teachers salary
paid into their STRS pension fund.
• Expenditures of $1,388,225 for health insurance in FY 2011.
This includes 98% contribution for single plans and 95% for family
plans.
The present teachers contract (Master Agreement) expires
June 30, 2011 and a new contract should be negotiated and in effect by
July 1, 2011.
The
BOE and Administration must soon make some very
difficult decisions, the same as every family has made the last three
years. For further information you should contact the BOE
mem-bers or the Administration and attend the next school
board meeting on March 15 at 7PM. To learn more about
Educate Versailles join us on Facebook or contact one of
the persons listed
below.
Denis Subler, Bob Ruschau, Tom Subler
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