Financial Supervisor Dorothy Woodbury reviewed the 2008-2009 Audit Report during Monday's Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education meeting.

“Happy, but cautious about the savings.”

These are the words used by Susan Schmidtendorff, president of the Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education, in commenting on the 2008-2009 Audit Report that shows the school district added just over $644,000 (($644,382) to the fund balance in its general fund during the budget year that ended June 30th.

Financial Supervisor Dorothy Woodbury reported the number during the board meeting Monday evening (December 14th) as she reviewed the audit report, said it was “a clean audit, the highest you can receive,” and indicated that the general fund ended the budget year with a balance of approximately $4.8 million ($4,854,734).

Superintendent Roger Rathburn noted that six items accounted for the bulk of the savings.  The largest amount – $180,000 to $190,000 – was generated by a one-time change in the way insurance for the staff was paid – for 11 months rather than 12.  Other contributing factors were a reduction of one full-time custodian, a drop in the amount spent on legal services, a decrease in the amount spent on diesel fuel, a reduction in general supplies for classrooms and buildings, and a decrease in the amount spent on contracted services as school employees did more.

During a post meeting interview, Schmidtendorff said, “We were very pleased that we were able to enhance the fund equity this year, but we also realize that it was done through a few things that are only a one-time savings.”  And she said, “This does set us up better for the next year and, of course, we’ve been planning for how we finish out this year and for 10-11, already, and know that, with what we’re seeing from the state, those are going to be very challenging years for us.”  Susan_Schmidtendorff_audio clip (1:10)

During that same interview, Rathburn said the positive finish “certainly came at a good time when most districts are struggling financially throughout the state.”  He said, “What this will allow is a smoothing process for Three Rivers.  I think that we’ve made a number of cuts or changes this year.  We’ve been sensitive to the kids in the district.  We’re trying to minimize the impact on the kids and programs and, second, we’re trying to minimize the impact on our employees. “  And, he added, “We’ve made a number of changes this year, preparing for the shortfall that all districts are facing, and I think this finishing the year the way that we did last year is going to help us out a lot.”  Roger_Rathburn audio clip (1:12)

Both Schmidtendorff and Rathburn praised school district employees for their role in dealing with the budgetary challenges facing the school system.  Schmidtendorff said, “People are managing themselves with this thought – that times are not as financially robust as they once were.  So, hats off to everyone who works here and comes here every day because everyone seems to be contributing to the financial stability that we’re having right now.”

To hear the interview with Susan Schmidtendorff and Roger Rathburn, conducted by Bruce Snook of the River Country Journal, click here (8:33 – 7.84 MB).