Smith projects Greenland schools will end year in the black
Posted on Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Greenland Superintendent Roland Smith expressed optimism that the financially-strapped school district could finish the current fiscal year with a balance of $ 137, 520 in the black.
"We have cautious optimism that we can finish this year in the black and that we can do the same for 2009-2010," Smith said at a town hall meeting Tuesday in the Greenland High School cafeteria.
The Arkansas Department of Education had previously predicted Greenland would finish the 2008-2009 school year with a negative balance of $ 427, 845. Smith, who was appointed superintendent in July after the district was taken over by the state, said department officials agree with his projections.
Most of the savings comes from personnel cuts that were made before the takeover, he said. The district has also sought ways to reduce expenses since he became superintendent.
"It took hard work by the former board of education to get things under way," he said.
The district spent $ 200, 540 less during the first three months of the fiscal year - July, August and September - than it did during 2007.
"We will all, however, have to continue to watch our finances carefully," Smith said.
Smith said the current projections include the payoff of a $ 621, 000 cash flow loan that the district took out last year. He did warn, however, that December through January could be a tight month because the loan must be paid back at that time.
The 2009-2010 year could be more dire financially, he said, because of increases in expenses and a potential loss in funds from reduced enrollment. One potential budget scenario that Smith developed for 2009-2010 showed the district ending the year with less than $ 5, 000 and assumed $ 100, 000 in donations.
Enrollment is down by more than 100 students this year, as many pupils transferred out over the summer when the department was debating whether to annex Greenland into another system.
The district had more than 900 students last year. Smith said the official Oct. 1 enrollment count was 817 students, and enrollment has stayed consistently more than 800 since the school year started.
He made a comparison to a football game, alluding to this year as the third quarter and next school year as the fourth quarter.
"Do we have the will to go forward in spite of tight fiscal controls," he said. "Do not give up on this quarter or on the fourth quarter next year, we have an opportunity (to succeed )."
The state opted to take over the district in lieu of annexing it to another system, but Education Commissioner Ken James warned it could be annexed after two years if insufficient progress is made to show Greenland can be financially viable.
"A plan to finish this year and next year in the black will take the cooperation of parents, students and teachers working together," Smith said.
Smith warned he may have to continue making some cuts and changes to improve the financial situation. He said the positive attitude and response of the employees and patrons continues to motivate him to succeed.
"I continue to be impressed with the positive dedication and hard work of the volunteers and teachers," he said. "We need to celebrate that all over the school district, people have poured their hearts and soul out. Together, you are making a difference."
Since the school year started, Smith said his office has received $ 52, 678 in donations from various groups and individuals, which he was not counting with the current year's projections. He asked that people continue to support the school to help shore up district finances.
Smith also reported on a few "little things"the district had done to save money.
This included a change in fire extinguisher inspections, from $ 1, 033 to $ 447 annually, and getting the trash service provider to remove a $ 126 "fuel surcharge. "A real estate company in Fayetteville donated used desks to the district, which allowed them to replace some of the oldest desks in the schools.
He also spoke about academics and a recent in-house evaluation of the academic performance of the Greenland student athletes. Smith said his analysis showed the athletes were doing well academically and the programs appear to be beneficial to encouraging student success.
All of last year's 31 senior athletes graduated, and 31 of 38 nonathletes graduated, he said. The average grade point average for athletes in 2007-2008 was 2. 91, compared to a 2. 52 for nonathletes.
The athletes also had a lower percentage of discipline problems in school, participated in more Advanced Placement classes and received more scholarships upon graduating.
Smith's next town hall meeting will be Nov. 3.
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