Howell Board to Revisit Budget Projections

A budget workshop is on the agenda for Thursday night's Francis Howell Board of Education meeting. 

With the school year winding down, attention is already being focused on the next year. Because of the shift in focus, Howell Chief Financial Officer Kevin Supple will lead a workshop on that state of the Francis Howell budget. 

Supple's presentation, posted on the Board Docs portion of the Francis Howell website, will be broken down into three sections. A look back at the current financial situation, a look at the upcoming budget and a preview of what to expect down the road. 

The board will take another look at the funding formula for Missouri and the challenges it presents—namely that the state hasn't increased funding for K to 12 education for three years running. 

The board will see the most recent projections for fiscal year 13, projections that has the district facing a $2,426,938 shortfall. The projected deficit even takes into account additional revenue expected from property taxes (assuming the district doesn't ).

Projections for fiscal year 12 had the district operating in the red, but unexpected revenue from the state turned a deficit into a $1,884,052 surplus. 

The deficit spending is just the beginning of a long period of financial woes for the district. Supple's presentation shows a $40-million plus surplus dwindling to just $3 million in fiscal year 17. 

The budget presentation is just part of Thursday's agenda. The board will also review policy and, of course, tackle the usual consent agenda.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Francis Howell Administration building. 

The meeting will be the last for the board in May. After Thursday's meeting, the next time the board will get together won't be until June 7.