Our 2024-2025 Budget
Budget Overview
The Riverview School District is currently initiating the budgeting process for the 2024-2025 academic year. Like many districts statewide, Riverview continues to grapple with financial constraints. Over the past few years, the district has had to make substantial and challenging decisions to reduce expenses and adapt the budget to a shifting financial landscape and evolving student needs.
Monday Minute 04.29.2024
View the Monday Minute video from Dr. Susan Leach, Superintendent, regarding budget staffing changes happening in the district for next year. Click here to watch
The District would like to thank everyone who participated in providing feedback through the ThoughtExchange and surveys regarding budget cuts for the 2024-2025 school year. To view the feedback results please click here.
Why do we need to make budget reductions?
Some of our revenue sources we have used to bridge the gap between expenditure costs and revenue are going away.
Our budget details
Materials, Services and Non-Staff Resources
Staff Costs
-
Why can’t my student bring his/her own computer to school (BYOD)?There are several reasons why we are providing the same computing devices to all students: safety, instruction, technical support, and equity. Safety: We have installed web filters and have other safety precautions that help prevent students from accessing inappropriate or unsafe websites while at school or home. We can’t be sure that devices brought from home meet this same standard. Instruction: Every district device has the same software, so teachers can efficiently teach entire classes and help individual students. Trying to teach a lesson with several different kinds of software and/or different versions of that software is very difficult. Technical Support: We can provide more robust technical support by having all students use the same device. We can’t offer the same level of support to an unlimited universe of devices, which could lead to more computer downtime and lost learning opportunities. Equity: Many families cannot afford to purchase laptops for their children. If all students are using the same device, they can focus on what they are learning with the device, not on who has which device and what else is on it.
-
What if a student forgets to charge their laptop and the battery is dead?IT has provided teachers with two spare charging cords for students to use in the classroom if needed. There are not enough spare charging cords or power outlets for all students; however, so the best solution is for students to develop a routine for charging their laptops each night.
-
What if my student forgets to bring the laptop to school?The LRC has a small number of “loaner” devices for students to check out for the school day if needed. Priority for these loaners goes to students experiencing equipment issues outside their control. Again, there are only a limited number of these loaner devices available.
-
What happens if a student’s laptop is broken after checkout?If a laptop breaks, it should be turned into IT for repair. During this time, the district will provide a loaner laptop, for which the student is liable while it is in their possession. Once the original laptop is fixed, the student will be notified to return the loaner for the original device. If the damage to the laptop is determined to have been caused by student negligence or abuse, there will be a fine assessed for the repair costs, as stated in the contract.
-
What if the laptop is stolen?A stolen laptop needs to be reported ASAP to IT. For insurance coverage, a police report must be filed and a copy provided to the school within five days. The student will be able to check out a loaner device until the loss issue is resolved and a permanent replacement device provided.
-
How will my student be protected from objectionable material?Filtering software is installed on each laptop. This software runs even when students are not at school. Objectionable websites are screened out; however, no filtering system is perfect. If a student inadvertently accesses an objectionable website, students and/or parents can alert IT, and they will address the issue.
-
How can I monitor computer use at home?apParent allows a parent to view a student's laptop screen outside of school hours for monitoring purposes. New functionality includes setting useable hours, and time lapse recordings of the laptop screen - all from your smartphone. This is an opt-in service, available to all parents / guardians listed in the Skyward system. PLEASE NOTE - You must verify and use your email address on record in Skyward for the app to work. Request more information apParent User Manual
-
What is we don't have internet at home?Office 365 enables students to work in the desktop version of OneNote without Internet access. Some school assignments may require Internet access, but many do not. If a student qualifies for free or reduced lunch, their family is eligible for reduced-cost Internet through Internet Essentials. This program offers basic home Internet service for $9.95 a month plus tax, with no activation fees, equipment rental fees, or price increases. For more information, visit InternetEssentials.com or call 1-855-846-8376. We also have a small number of mobile hotspots that can be borrowed upon request. These are subject to availability, and require a decent cellular signal to be functional.
About the Budget Development Process
Each year, district leaders and the school board collaborate on the budget planning process to devise a roadmap that prioritizes student learning. This process typically commences in winter and concludes with the board's adoption of the budget in August. Throughout this journey, input is actively sought from students, families, staff, and the community. This year, we are soliciting input through various channels, including surveys, one ThoughtExchange session, and committee meetings. The feedback garnered is then carefully integrated into the program and staffing plan.
Over the past five years, our district has witnessed a decline in student enrollment of approximately 10%. While Riverview School District experienced an increase in student enrollment up to the 2018-2019 academic year, a decline ensued in 2019-2020. This decrease was notably influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic and has been gradually recuperating, given the persistently low birth rates and the diminishing school-aged population within our district boundaries. Forecasts suggest a sluggish growth in student enrollment, with the most significant surge expected in grades K-8 over the next five years. However, projections for the subsequent five years indicate a plateau in enrollment for lower grades and an upswing in grades 9-12. The 10-year forecast anticipates a full decade to regain pre-pandemic enrollment levels. Enrollment is the primary driver of funding for our schools, so we are adjusting staffing to balance our budget while still focusing on student achievement. Throughout the year, the board and leadership monitor the financial and enrollment data closely, making real-time adjustments to spending as needed. This proactive approach ensures that resources are allocated efficiently to support student learning.
We are actively working to publish additional budget resources on our website to ensure that we provide comprehensive information to all stakeholders. This ongoing effort aims to enhance accessibility and understanding of the budgetary process for our entire community.
Timeline
-
January – District leadership sets budget priorities and works with Administrative team to start budget process for 2024-2025
-
February 6th – March 15th – Building level enrollment projections
-
February 6th – March 31st – Administrative team budget request process (stop, start, continue)
-
March 12th – School Board Budget Update – board presentation
-
March 25 – April 15 Staff, Student and Parent Survey
-
March 25 – April 14 Community Thought Exchange
-
March 26 – School board ending fund balance directive
-
April 23 – Board resolution for staffing reduction if needed
-
May 15 – Deadline to finalize staffing decisions
-
July 10 – Draft Budget
-
August 27 – Public Budget Hearing