Financial outlook good for schools in Vacaville

Financial outlook good for schools in Vacaville

By Julie Kay/ /Staff Writer

Article Launched: 06/27/2007 05:09:18 AM PDT


Despite challenges that include a decline in student enrollment, there is reason for a good outlook regarding the financial health of the Vacaville Unified School District, officials say.

At Thursday's school board meeting, John Niederkorn, the district's finance director, will explain the specifics to the board and the public, will discuss the district's 2006-07 budget and will present a proposed budget for the 2007-08 school year.

Niederkorn's presentation marks an annual ritual of projection. Without definitive information on how much money the governor will designate for education in his 2007-08 budget, district finance directors make educated guesses, revising their proposals after the state budget comes out.

This initial proposal must be approved by the school board and submitted to the county office of education by July 1.

Niederkorn's proposed 2007-08 budget projects an ending balance of about $17 million, compared with 2005-06's approximately $15 million.

The district's ending balance in 2004-05 came to about $11 million.

Niederkorn projects the district will receive about $92 million in revenues in the coming year, and will spend $89 million. The ending balance figure for 2007-08 factors in the district's ending balance from last year.

Niederkorn had positive words regarding the significance of the proposal.

"While there is nothing to celebrate regarding any 'unexpected good fortune' we do have satisfaction in our growing fiscal stability as evidenced by our growing ending fund balance," he said.

"Yes, we continue to decline in enrollment, but not as much. We are making progress as we demonstrate improved student performance, we are addressing employee compensation concerns, we are funding our district's priorities."

The school board meets at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, 650 Merchant St., Vacaville.

Julie Kay can be reached at schools@thereporter.com.