Alva School Board approves Estimate of Needs

The Alva Board of Education held a special meeting Wednesday to approve their Estimate of Needs for the current school year. Prepared by Carroll and Associates, the form estimates the amount of revenue expected for the year so a budget can be prepared.

Superintendent Tim Argo told board members that 98 percent of actual collections last year are used for the estimate. He said last year the gross production tax revenue projected was $802,000 but the actual amount collected was $573,000. This year, that revenue source is looking better with 58 percent of the projection already collected.

Total valuation of property for the school district has been decreasing. Last year it was $142 million while this year it’s $131 million. Argo asked the assessor why it is decreasing, and she said it’s from all the equipment used in gross production that has been moved out of the county.

Once the estimate is made by Carroll and Associates, Argo said he prepares the budget using even more conservative estimates. The accounting firm recommends this because local school administrators are more familiar with the local economy.

Tiffany Slater made a motion to approve the Estimate of Needs, seconded by Shane Hansen. The motion carried. Other board members present were Jane McDermott, Karen Koehn and Larry Parker.

The board also voted to hire two new non-certified employees for the school year. Rochelle Wright will be a paraprofessional at the high school while Teresa Cummings will be a paraprofessional at Washington Early Childhood Center.