Rogers Schools Finalizes Budget Approval

ROGERS -- Special attention was given to federal and state money in the Rogers School District budget during Tuesday's board meeting.

Nearly $13 million in federal and state money is supplemental, Monica Avery, federal program director for the School District, told board members.

At A Glance

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View the past two years of Arkansas Comprehensive School Improvement Plans on the Rogers School District website at www.rogersschools.n…. To view plans select “schools” from the navigation bar, then select “achievement and accountability,” and school plans. New plans will be posted after Oct. 1. A review of this year’s plans will be part of a Rogers School Board study session at 5:15 p.m. Oct. 16 at the Joye R. Kelley Administration building, 500 W. Walnut.

Source: Staff Report

It would be nice if there were more federal and state supplemental money, said Janie Darr, superintendent.

"Without these funds, I don't know what we would do to meet the needs of our children," Darr said.

Federal dollars funneled to the district through programs such as Title I or state professional development money have limited purposes, Avery said.

The money pays for literacy and math facilitators who coach teachers on best practices. It covers data analysis tracking student grades and projected outcomes. It pays for teacher training and substitutes who cover classes when teachers take a break to learn. It pays for programs for students learning English or who are placed in an alternative environment. It pays for digital workbooks and curriculum, Avery said.

Several social workers and nurses are paid through the National School Lunch Act and that money fills in costs for pre-kindergarten. Money from the act is passed on to schools based on the number of students who qualified for a free or reduced-price lunch with the idea children from homes with less income need more support at school.

The way that money is spent is up for review when the state's legislative session starts, Avery said.

Designated money was part of the $151,111,048 budget the board approved Tuesday.

Teacher salaries are up about 5 percent because of a salary raise approved by the board earlier this year, said Jake Haak, chief financial officer. Teacher's salaries are budgeted for about $62 million this year. Haak described the budget as conservative.

Board members reviewed spending during a study session last week. The six funds reviewed Tuesday don't come from local tax dollars.

Federal money is budgeted based on an Arkansas Comprehensive School Improvement Plan, which is made up of both a district and school improvement plans submitted through the state, Avery told the board.

She got her working numbers in mid-August to begin the budget process.

Board members approved the full improvement plan, including budget Tuesday. Jerry Carmichael, board president, noted the plan is under construction, although the budget is finished.

Board member Curtis Clements asked if there would be many modifications to last year's plan.

The priorities change based on test scores, Avery said, but test scores will not be clear for public release until Sept. 29.

"There really are no new goals," Darr said.

Darr asked the board if they would like a final review before the Oct. 1 deadline.

Carmichael said the board members were comfortable with approving the general plan and reviewing specifics during an October study session because of the tight time line.

NW News on 09/17/2014

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