Welcome and Call to Order

Roberta Walker at 6:48 p.m.

Quorum of the Board

Ascertain a Quorum

Roberta Walker – present                                                         Felecia Shanklin-not present

Maxine Wright – virtual                                                          Suzette Arnold – not present

Martina Stanley –virtual                                                          Wanda McKay- LOA-not present

Janelle Wilhite –  present

Tamara Cooper – virtual

Approval of Agenda

Approval of Agenda

Motion made by:                                Janelle Wilhite

Motion seconded by:                           Maxine Wright

Motion Carries:                                  Unanimous vote

Approval of the Minutes

The minutes were not available for approval

2023-2024 Budget Hearing #1

The CFO will present the proposed budget for fiscal year 2023-2024

2023-24b Budget Hearing #1-Janelle Wilhite

Ms. Wilhite explained that this is the first budget hearing. There will be no voting on the budget at this time. This hearing is specifically to present the budget and allow for any public comment.

Mr. Kayemba gave a detailed overview of FY24 budget proposals.

2023-24 560 FTE Scenario- The key takeaways are a) the budget is balanced. Revenues will exceed total spending by $727.8k which equates to 8% for the net income to revenue ratio and b)16% growth of revenue. FY23 budget was built on 480 FTE scenario at $865k . FY24 budget is built on 560 FTE scenario at $927K. This is an increase in earnings.

The increase in grant revenue from ESSR II at $800k to ESSR III at $1.4M results in an increase of $700k.

The majority of spending is on personnel at $6M which is 85% of expenditures. There is a significant increase in supplies and materials in the FY24 budget. This projection is based on actual expenditures through Feb 2023. The maintenance and repairs will also increase significantly to ensure there is significant funding for next year.

Mr. Kayemba discussed FY23 projections vs FY24 budget-560 FTE scenario. The projected net income to end FY23 is $224,554. The projected net income to end FY24 $727,804.

Opportunities-Mr. Kayemba gave an overview of opportunities to increase fiscal viability. Those opportunities will maximize funding through efficient data reporting, robust cost control management, needs analysis, set goals for fund balance

Risks-Mr. Kayemba reviewed some of the facts or events that make DPA not perform well financially. Those items include: legal risks from HR issues, high turnover rate, and complacency because of the cushion built in the budget. Mr. Kayemba reminded the board that the cushion provided by ESSER funds will not always be there.

Challenges of this budget-Mr. Kayemba discussed some of the limitations to this budget: inability to ensure sizeable grown in compensation for the personnel (salary, performance bonuses, etc.) and lack of sustainable funding to provide competitive benefits. Thus far, the 1.5% increase can be sustained but there is a desire to do more.

Mr. Kayemba shared the Facility Funding Requests that are driving the operational increases to $100k. Some of the items will address the safety and security of the building (i.e., electrical panel updates, plumbing, sewer repairs, roof repairs and painting of classrooms).

There was a review of the Budget Rationale forms to address the following:

Increase in operational spending (MOPS)- 560 FTE Scenario -$183.6k

Increase in supplies and materials -560 FTE Scenario - $380,887

Increase in salary for instructional staff – 560 FTE Scenario-1.5% (step increase)- $70,051

Increase in salary for non-instructional staff – 560 FTE Scenario 1.5% (step increase)- $256,251

Increase in supplies and materials -480 FTE Scenario - $312,475

Ms. Walker raised concerns about DPA salaries not being competitive with other school districts. There was robust discussion about the 1.5% step increase vs. increasing the pay scale. Ms. Walker stated that she was under the impression that this year, DPA would look at increasing the pay scale in the interest of being competitive, especially since there is such a robust fund balance. Mr. Kayemba stated that an analysis of the long term sustainability of the increase was conducted and he determined that it was not sustainable to offer the 1.5% increase and increase the pay scale. It was requested that Mr. Kayemba provide the analysis to board members. This would allow the board to weigh different options to potentially provide a pay increase.  

Mr. Kayemba stated that DPA is having a serious issue with the fund balance with the Authorizer. Any time there is a cash decrease in the fund balance, the Authorizer assumes that we have overspent our balance and deems us as non-compliant.

Ms. Cooper stated that DPA definitely needs a development person to assist with grants and in-kind funds and increasing different streams of revenue.

Committee Reports

Academic Committee – Roberta Walker

Items for information, discussion and/or vote:

Information only

22-4-25-2023 -  8^th grade Field Trip – Main Event - May 23, 2023

1-5-9-2023 -    Information only- 7^th grade Field Trip -  Michael Carlos Museum - May 18, 2023

Finance Committee

Public Comment

Our Public Comment period is for members of the public to address the board. Each member of the public may sign up to comment at the meeting, and will be allotted two minutes. The board will listen, but may not directly respond to any comments. Our meetings are open to the public and public record. As such, if your comment is about a private matter, please contact the board via email, or speak to the board chair privately.

There was no public comment

Other Business

Tamara Cooper reported that the roof collapse is an emergency and structural issue for children. There has to be an emergency repair. There is no board action form to present because there were not three quotes. Since this is an emergency, the repairs are requested to be done as an emergency due to the safety and concern of our children

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:47 p.m.

The Meeting was Adjourned

The meeting adjourned at approximately 7:47 pm