More questions answered.......

Think of this post as: Everything you wanted to know about how the school spends their money, but might not have wanted to ask the questions yourselves! This piece of information is in response to the question: How do we explain school funding to the community who financially supports the district? And here is the answer:

Comments, rumors and discussions within the community have been circulating around about what the district is spending resources on. To help the community understand the district spending better, everyone needs to understand the district operates on several “pots” of money in which the district uses.
1. General Fund: This is where the Board of Education is seeking the 5.8mill Emergency Levy. The general fund money pays utilities (Gas, Electric, Sewer, and Water), salaries, fuel, paper, bus maintenance, bathroom supplies, instructional supplies and other general operating expenses.

2. Permanent Improvement Fund (P.I. fund): This fund is a specialized fund under current law that is used by the district and can only be used to purchase, lease, maintain or improve items with a life expectancy of 5 years or more.
P.I Fund monies CANNOT be used for General Fund expenses: This P.I. fund money can more importantly be used for purchasing items such as:
• Text books
• Computers
• Technology
• Smart boards
• Musical instruments,
• Chemistry and science equipment
• Buses, special education transportation vehicles
• Cafeteria equipment
• Auditorium/stage curtains
• Maintenance equipment
• Roof replacement
• HVAC equipment replacement
• Asbestos removal
• Athletic complex improvements
• Parking lot maintenance
• Facility, buildings and grounds upkeep

P.I. funds CANNOT be used for:
• Administrative salaries
• Teacher salaries
• Electricity
• Natural gas
• Sewer & water, Bathroom supplies
• Fuel and maintenance cost for vehicles
• Some Purchased Services
• Other routine operating and instructional costs, such as paper, copiers etc.

3. State and Federal Grants: Grants, in general, typically have a variable of stipulations and guidelines that need to be followed to operate and/or maintain a grant. If a grant is received by the district, typically they cannot be used to fund any of the district’s General Operating Fund expenses. However, grants do help support programming, equipment and some supplies that help offset the use of district funds. For example; the 21st Century Community Learning Grant that the district is currently receiving, has saved the district roughly $28,100.00 in materials and supplies and roughly $11,500.00 in Professional Development costs, making a combined total of $39,600.00 that has been a benefit to the district, supplemented our instruction and given relief to both the General Fund and P.I. Fund by this amount.

Finally, as the Administration and Board of Education continues to keep general fund operating expenses to a minimum, utilize P.I. funds responsibly, and manage grants to best benefit the district financially, the district is still faced with the challenges of being financial sound without affecting the quality of education the children of this community deserve. Anyone interested in viewing financial information of the school or has questions regarding General funds or P.I. funds; please feel free to contact Mr. Nate Johnson; Superintendent, or Ms. Richelle Oberlin; Treasurer or view information on the districts website. http://www.stryker.k12.oh.us/


I have shared this with you to help clear up any misunderstandings and hope that this information reassures the community that the district is working to be more open in communicating with residents.

Together we can make a difference! Go to your place of voting and vote YES on November 8!