WBSD transfers operations money saved to capital projects fund

The Wittenberg-Birnamwood School Board transferred funds at its June 22 board meeting.

The Aquatic Center had a budget projection of $302,421 but ceased operations in mid-March due to COVID-19. Currently, the department is an estimated $5,400 short. The board voted to cover the deficit with a transfer of $6,000 from the endowment fund, which supports the Aquatic Center. According to Superintendent Garrett Rogowski, the Aquatic Center would have been in the black had the school been able to remain open.

Transfers of unused funds in Fund 10, which covers the operational expenses of the school district, were placed into Fund 46 to be used for later capital projects.

Five years ago, the state of Wisconsin passed a law allowing school districts to establish a fund where any remaining revenue after each fiscal year can be deposited in a separate fund that can only be allocated toward capital project expenses. Another stipulation was that the fund could not be accessed for five years. Now that the five-year hold has been met, WBSD will be able to add to and withdraw from Fund 46 as needed. To access the money, a plan needs to be turned in to the Department of Public Instruction indicating how the funds will be used. It is audited and reported every year.

According to Rogowski, the district does not budget significant amounts for money which fluctuates, such as the dividends from the property insurance company, which was $23,000, or the E-Rate, a federal program which assists schools and libraries in rural areas, which was $12,000, or the money received from the insurance company due to the bus accident last fall, which was $30,000.

Due to COVID-19, some expenses for WBSD were less than expected. Savings in transportation expenses was estimated to be $38,000. There was a savings of $78,000 in utilities. Rogowski noted that savings came mostly from not having to heat the pool with the closure of the school and Aquatic Center.

The board had also budgeted $100,000 for construction of a maintenance shed, but it elected not to build it at this time. With the resignation of high school Principal Jill Sharp and the transfer of Randy Berndt to the Birnamwood Elementary/Middle School principal position, the board chose not to fill the Dean of Students position, which Berndt had previously held which was a savings of approximately $90,000 in wages and benefits.

mnelson@newmedia-wi.com