School closure would save at least $600,000

CEDAR RAPIDS - Closing one Cedar Rapids elementary school could net anywhere from $600,000 to $757,000 in savings for the school district, according to a report shared at last night's board meeting.

The financial analysis shows what the district would save for each elementary school that's being considered for closure. The data includes staff salaries; utilities; custodial supplies and services; property insurance; and repair and maintenance.

This is the first time the district has released dollar figures attached to a school closing.

The largest savings would come from closing Polk Elementary School, one of the district's two year-round schools. Shutting it down would net the district $757,410 in savings.

Closing Harrison Elementary School, meanwhile, would save the district $723,571. And closing Madison and Monroe elementary schools would save $600,835 and $606,257, respectively.

Reducing operating costs was one of the goals of the district's enrollment study process. However, Superintendent Dave Benson said he was not asked by school board members to achieve a cost-savings total during the enrollment and facilities study.

Steve Graham, the district's executive director of business services, told board members the figures are based upon current staffing and compensation. He stressed that each dollar amount is unique to each school.

The projected savings include a total of about $399,000 already in effect, as three elementary principals began splitting duties during the 2011-12 school year.

The savings are in three funds - the general fund, the food and nutrition fund and the management fund. Any savings realized in those district funds will be returned to those budgets, as required by state law.

The largest savings, from $524,000 to $636,000 per school, would return to the district's general fund, which includes staff salaries.

Graham said any general fund savings realized from closing schools will be used to stabilize the district's general fund reserves. He said this fund has been hit in recent years because of the district's declining enrollment and a decrease in state funding, along with staff wage and benefit increases and increased contributions to the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System. The district has relied on reserve funds to keep the budget balanced.

“That is the economic reality we are in right now,” Graham said.

About 30 people - parents, teachers and community members - attended Monday's meeting, with more than a dozen addressing the board to urge alternative solutions besides school closures. Benson reminded the audience of upcoming public input sessions (see 1A).

Benson said administrative staff, as well as the consultants hired to complete the enrollment and facilities studies, will answer questions and accept feedback at these sessions. All public input cards will be scanned and posted on the district's website.

“We're serious about receiving the feedback,” he said.

Benson has said he will consider this input when determining his recommendations to the school board. He expects to make his recommendations at the Feb. 13 meeting.

Two public forums are to be held next month, both from 4 to 7 p.m.:

-  Feb 2: Grant Wood AEA Conference Center, 4401 Sixth St. SW.

-  Feb. 9: Kennedy High School band room, 4545 Wenig Rd. NE.