Finance and Operations - November 21, 2006

Madison Metropolitan School District Madison, Wisconsin Art Rainwater, Superintendent
BOARD OF EDUCATION Minutes for Finance and Operations November 21, 2006		Doyle Administration Building 545 West Dayton Street, Room 103 Madison, Wisconsin

Finance and Operations Committee meeting was called to order by Lawrie Kobza at 12:03 p.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Carol Carstensen, Lawrie Kobza, Lucy Mathiak

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHER BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: None

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT: None

STAFF PRESENT: Doug Johnson, Roger Price, Art Rainwater, Donna Williams, Ann Wilson-Recording Secretary

1. Approval of Minutes

It was moved by Lucy Mathiak and seconded by Carol Carstensen to approve the Finance and Operations Committee minutes dated October 30, 2006. Motion unanimously carried.

2. Announcements

There were no announcements.

3. Summary of the MMSD Citizen's Budget

(Written materials provided in advance - Memorandum from Roger Price dated 11/16/06 re: Citizen's/People's Budget and the most recent version of the Citizen's Budget. Materials provided at the meeting - updated Citizen's/People's Budget dated 11/21/06, Management's Discussion and Analysis for the Year Ended June 30, 2006, pages 7-8 - all attached to the original copy of these minutes.)

Roger Price reviewed the latest version of the Citizen's/People's Budget and reviewed the work completed by staff following the last meeting. He noted not all of the recommended changes have been completed but staff would continue to work on them.

Lawrie Kobza indicated her purpose at this meeting would be to continue questions/discussion related to expenditures and then move to the revenue section.

DISCUSSION regarding FTE and Expenditures:

· Some figures include fringes, others do not.

· Distinction between salary and fringes is important if trying to show how dollars are used. Reproduces assumptions staff make much more money than they do. Would be helpful to have input from people who have not seen the document before. Need to display more simply, or in more detail. Suggest pie chart. What do people want to know? What do we want to tell them? What is the important information?

· Purpose was to keep document short, down to two pages. Prefer to include fringes with salary. Interested in showing expenditures and trends.

· Suggestions to use a set of pieces of information - some tables, charts, pictorial information; big picture of where money comes from. Categorical information also important.

FOLLOW-UP:

· More information was requested about what is included under alternative programs and librarians.

· Footnote those items that include costs other than salaries.

· Combine 1-H and J; list substitutes under 1-C.

· Explain "other" under transportation; check secondary.

· Change "retirement" title.

· Reorder #8.

· Remove revenue.

· Hold on distributing "contingency" - discuss further on November 29.

· Re-label gifts and donations as "expenditures funded by gifts and donations."

· Interfund transfers - pull below the line.

· Provide more information about General District-wide

· Eliminate community services line - distribute.

It was moved by Lawrie Kobza and seconded by Lucy Mathiak to eliminate the FTE column and show the information instead in a pie chart format. Motion unanimously carried.

DISCUSSION regarding Revenue:

· Funds should be broken out more, similar to fees. If collecting money from the public, should be able to account for how it is used.

· Column headings are confusing; may need more.

· Show that loss of fees may be associated with a budget reduction.

DISCUSSION regarding Format:

· Purpose is to develop a document, supported by formulas, which can generate itself each year.

· Concern about getting information out and receiving feedback in a timely manner. Pie charts would serve that purpose.

The question of a process for receiving feedback on the citizen's budget will be included on the next meeting agenda, including approval of a document. Initial suggestions included posting on the website and developing a blog; strategies similar to those used by task forces.

4. Other Business

There was no other business.

5. Adjournment

It was moved by Carol Carstensen and seconded by Lucy Mathiak to adjourn the meeting at 1:18 p.m. Motion unanimously carried.

Previous: 2006-10-16 || Finance and Operations || Next: 2006-11-27

BOE Minutes	BOE Home Page
Other Minutes:
Previous: 2006-10-16 \|\| Finance and Operations \|\| Next: 2006-11-27