The Rossville Consolidated School District’s regular school board meeting on Oct. 20 led with a proposed $12.17 million budget, with classroom expenses accounting for the largest share of planned spending.
The proposal includes $6.8 million for the Education Fund, $3.33 million for the Operations Fund, $1.86 million for debt service and $185,000 for the Rainy Day Fund, according to the meeting presentation.
Education Fund spending would include approximately $4.85 million in salaries and $1.38 million in benefits. Together, those costs represent nearly 92% of the fund’s proposed budget. The remaining money would cover purchased services, supplies, and other expenses.
The district builds its Education Fund budget using anticipated expenses and six years of spending history. Superintendent Jim Hanna’s personnel calculations combine portions of two school years to estimate salary and benefit costs for the 2027 calendar year.
The Operations Fund covers expenses including transportation, maintenance, utilities, central administration, and technology services. Its proposed budget includes $979,130 in salaries, $348,410 in benefits, and approximately $2 million in services, equipment, supplies, and other operating costs.
Debt service expenses include payments for earlier improvements, the field house, and the parking lot. The proposal also includes $299,782 in new debt for heating and cooling, roofing, and technology projects.
Along with the budget, board members were asked to consider the 2027 bus replacement plan, the 2027–2029 capital projects plan and a resolution authorizing monthly transfers from the Education Fund to the Operations Fund. The recommended resolution would permit transfers of up to 15% of monthly state basic grant receipts.
The district held a public budget hearing on Oct. 6. The state’s budget website and the district website advertised the budget documents and related plans.
Personnel matters included computer technician Nick Warford’s resignation, effective Oct. 22, and a change in contracted psychology services through Clinton-Carroll County Joint Services. The presentation identified Anne Marie Robertson as Doug Shoumaker’s replacement through Empower Behavior Health LLC.
Hanna also recommended correcting Kelly Mills’ compensation for homebound instruction. Mills’ assignment had been approved Oct. 6 using an incorrect hourly rate. The recommendation called for paying her at her individual hourly rate, retroactive to the start of her duties on Sept. 9.
The financial agenda included acceptance of a $500 donation from First Bank Midwest for the district’s production of “The Little Mermaid.”
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3.