Overview of Personnel Workshop and Budget Challenges in Marion County Schools
Marion County Schools faces challenges with personnel overages, budget impacts, and the drying up of ESSERF funding. The school employs more personnel than state-funded positions, leading to budget shortfalls and potential reductions. Factors like increased BRIM premiums, pay raises, and PEIA insurance costs contribute to the financial strain. Decisions on personnel reductions and transfers are limited to a specific period annually, and proposed changes aim to address the budget gaps for the upcoming fiscal years.
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PERSONNEL WORKSHOP: INFORMATIONAL OVERVIEW FOR PERSONNEL SEASON Superintendent Dr. Donna Heston Special Meeting Marion County Board of Education on March 14, 2024, 1 PM
CURRENT STATE OF PERSONNEL: Marion County Schools employs 24 professional and 87 service personnel in excess of positions funded by the State. Last year, MCS was 49 professionals and 114 service positions over what is funded by the State reductions not due to cuts but due to federally funding those positions through ESSERF, which ends June 2024. $85,086,641 of the local budget and ESSERF funding is spent in personnel costs and benefits (excludes overtime, substitutes, and other miscellaneous personnel costs for each of these positions). $10,907,259 is approximate optimal excessive cost supported by the levy. Last year, statewide only three counties exceed the formula by more than Marion County (163 total employees over the formula). This year, statewide Marion County ranks 10th for employee overages (111 total employees) Student enrollment has declined for FY24 at 7,252. Trend data shows decrease in student enrollment (- 167 FY 2020, - 287 for FY21, - 207 for FY22,+ 18 FY 23, - 141 FY24 (-172 from October 1 through March 13, 2024) Approximately 80% of the county s budget is dedicated to salaries and benefits 24 professional and 10 service positions were funded by ESSERF through 2024 for $2,455,673 per year of federal funds allocated for COVID- recovery.*
OTHER FACTORS IMPACTING THE BUDGET: BRIM: As we projected last year, BRIM premium increased about $550,000 from FY23. Our premium went from $300,000 to $850,000. Across the Board 5% Pay Raise Bill: This will increase salaries and benefits for 111 employees MCS carries over the formula at an additional cost of $208,653. If MCS continues to carry the 24 professional and 10 service positions funded by ESSERF until June 2024, this will increase salaries and benefits for these employees by $84,274 as well. ESSERF Funding Dries Up June 2024: 24 professional and 10 service positions are funded through ESSERF for past 2 years: $2,535,977 PEIA Insurance increase per employer was about 10.5%. If MCS continues to employe 24 professional and 87 service over the formula, it will cost MCS an increase of an estimated $887,112 in employer premiums. Absorbed costs to sustain student achievement programs funded by ESSERF when ESSERF dries up (iReady, IXL, Read 180, Major Clarity, Edmentum Credit Recovery, and News ELA): $386,145 Personnel reductions aside, the FY25 budget of MCS could be impacted by other factors at a total approximate cost of $4,652,161.
Reductions of positions and transfers to staff can only be addressed during one period-of-time, March-May 1 annually. Proposed FY 23 (2021-22) Proposed FY 25 (2023-24) Proposed FY 24 (2022-23) 20 Professionals At net savings of $1,417,448 27 Professional 13 Service 19 Professional 12 Service Estimated Net Savings of $1,918,836 for 2023-24 school year (FY24) $2,455,673 shortfall in budget due to personnel overages and loss of ESSERF funds. 8 service at $369,887 Achieved after recommendation: Still, 30 professional and 102 service positions over the state-funded at $7,873,064 from local and excess funding. 2 CO Coordinators 1 Computer Tech 3 Elementary Teachers 1 CO Secretary If no future student loss of enrollment, still 24 professional and 87 service positions over state-funded at $6,116,655 from local and excess funding. Recommended: $1,787,335 Achieved: $497,704 - $1,333,711 Recommended: $1,918,836 Achieved: $1,918,836 $8,572,328
Personnel Costs DUE TO EXCESS of State- aid Formula Personnel costs in excess of the state aid formula must be paid by county and excess levy funds. More excess levy funds attributable to salaries means less funds available for facilities improvements and other instructional needs.
Personnel Not Covered By Formula FY 25 - PROFESSIONALS State Aid Formula Funds Professional Positions = 567 MCBOE employed in these positions = 591 Excess Professionals Employed = 24 These 24 positions are all paid with county/excess levy funds at $1,808,552.
Personnel Not Covered By Formula FY 25 SERVICE PERSONNEL State Aid Formula Funded Service Positions = 368 MC BOE employed in these positions = 455 Excess number employed = 87 These 87 positions are all paid with county/excess levy funds at $4,308,103. Marion county schools
Student Enrollment Trends Enrollment 8,250 8,005 8,000 7,870 7,838 7,750 7,583 7,500 7,393 7,375 7,252 7,250 7,000 6,750 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 March 13, 2024 Enrollment: 7,080.
Impact of Homeschool & Hope Scholarship Homeschool 900 846 832 795 768 800 700 560 600 550 522 500 400 300 FY 18 FY 19 FY 20 FY 21 FY 22 FY 23 FY 24 Homeschool Since March 1, 2023, MCS has received over 200 HOPE applications at a projected loss of $897, 600 to Marion County Schools funding. In addition to that total, as of October 1, 2023, MCS funding for 60 charter school students was reduced. Marion county schools
IMPACT OF LOSS IN STUDENT ENROLLMENT MARION COUNTY SCHOOLS LOST 618 STUDENTS IN PRECEDING SCHOOL YEARS, RESULTING IN LOSS OF $3.5 MILLION IN FUNDING DUE TO DECLINE IN STUDENT ENROLLMENT. ENROLLMENT STABLILIZED FOR FOR 2022-23. ENROLLMENT HAS DECREASED BY 141 STUDENTS FOR 2023-24.
Cost of Exceeding Formula PROFESSIONAL: SERVICE: 87 positions over formula at $49,518/position = $4,308,103 24 positions over formula at $75,356/position = $1,808,552 TOTAL Outside of Formula $ 6,116,655* *Does not include overtime, substitute costs, Fall and Spring stipend, and other miscellaneous personnel costs for each position. Marion county schools
Trend: Employees Exceeding State Aid 160 138 140 123129 125 121 122 114 120 105 97 100 87 78 77 80 Professional 55 51 60 49 48 Service 36 34 32 40 24 20 0 FY 19 FY 20 FY 21 FY 22 FY 23 FY 23* FY 24 FY 24* FY 25 FY 25* * *ESSERF infusion of funds to offset personnel overages expires June 2024. There are 24 professional and 10 service positions funded through ESSERF. In 2024-25, Marion County Schools will be 48 professional and 97 service over the formula of what is funded by the State because these positions are currently funded through ESSERF, which expires. Marion county schools
5-year Trend Data for Professional and Service Over the Formula Year Prof Service Total FY 19 32 105 137 FY 20 36 122 158 FY 21 34 121 155 FY 22 55 123 178 FY 23 51 129 180 *FY 23 78 138 216 FY 24 49 114 163 *FY 24 77 125 202 FY 25 24 87 111 *FY 25 48 97 145
2023-24 GOAL FOR SUPERINTENDENT AS MUTUALLY ESTABLISHED WITH THE MARION COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION Goal 4: DISTRICT OPERATIONS AND PLANNING: Make recommendation to the board of education for a decrease in the number of personnel over the state aid formula, including unfunded positions after the ESSERF covid funding (28 professional and 11 service) expires June 2024, by restructuring and reduction of a proposed 30 positions by June 2024.
Positions Reduced at County Office 5-Year Trend Position Department Superintendent Office C and I/Receptionist Accounting Employee Result 1 2 3 Executive Secretary Secretary Secretary Robin Haught Sharon Seay Lisa McCoy moved to Benefits Trina Brown Barbara Hamrick Eliminated Eliminated Eliminated 4 5 Secretary Secretary Transportation Spec. Ed./Homebound Eliminated Eliminated 6 7 8 9 10 11 Computer Tech Liaison Liaison Coordinator Coordinator Coordinator Technology Special Ed. Special Ed. C&I C&I C&I Mitchell George Janie Gallagher Chistina Holsopple Sherry Copley Sally Morgan Kathy Jacquez Eliminated Eliminated Eliminated Eliminated Eliminated Restructured to Supervisor and duties added Changed to Supervisor and duties redistributed Changed to a Service position and duties redistributed 12 Administrative Assistant for Pupil Service Administrative Assistant Maintenance, Facilities, Athletics Special Ed Gia Deasy 13 Maintenance Andy Neptune In FY 23, reductions to the county office and absorbed included 2 curriculum coordinators and 1 secretary at a savings of $309,064. Reduced 5 Administrative Assistants to 3 Administrative Assistants with overall savings of $158,844immediately due to restructuring after 3 retirements.
General Overview: Proposed Reductions 2024-25 Service Positions Professional Positions 24 positions over state-funded formula In addition to 24 ESSERF-funded Reduce by 27 positions 3 Elementary 1 Title I Teacher 2 Special Education Teachers 7 Middle School Teachers 7 High School Teachers 3 Graduation Coaches 2 Special Education Liaisons 2 School Psychologists 87 positions over state-funded formula In addition to 10 ESSERF-funded Reduce by 13 positions 1 Executive Secretary 1 Custodian 2 LPNs 8 Aides 1 Bus Operator Estimated Net savings: $643,734 Estimated Net Savings: $2,034,652
Important personnel season dates, timelines, and protocols Notifications of transfer mailed by April 1, 2024 for service by Administrative Assistant Rockie DeLorenzo (written notice provided on or before April 1, 2024 per WV Code 18A-2-7(a)). Notification of Early Retirement received by noon on March 1, 2024 Sterile review of enrollment, master schedules, State formula funding, WVEIS enrollment as of October 1, live enrollment (-141 students from October 1, 2022 to October 1, 2023), meal-to- cook ratio report, etc. completed by January 15 by Personnel. Hearings for transfers scheduled on or before May 1, 2024 agenda (hearings conducted on or before May 1, 2024 to take effect at close of school year per WV Code 18A-2-7(a), (b); WV Code 18A-2-6; WV Code 18A-2-2(c)(1)(A)). April 23, April 25, and April 30 hearing dates. Staffing conferences between principals, administrative assistants, and department heads by January 15 by Personnel. Non-renewal of probationary contracts on April 15, 2024 agenda. Large postings for 2024-25 positions on March 4, 2024 20 professional 27 2nd Grade ECCATs
