TOP STORY OF THE DAY, brought to you free by WICU: Public hearing shows CCSC ‘financially consistent' for 2021

On Monday evening, the annual public hearing for the 2022 Budget, Capital Projects Plan and School Bus Replacement Plan was held at North Clay Middle School.

Director of Business Affairs/Treasurer Mark Shayotovich said the corporation had a “financially consistent year” despite COVID-19.

“Our school corporation continues to be fortunate and healthy as related to finances,” Shayotovich said.

During the annual review of the budget, Shayotovich explains the budget typically publishes a high tax levy, knowing the Department of Local Government and Finance will cut the published levy back to the actual maximum allowed by state code.

The DLG called Shayotovich this year, asking why he hadn’t requested the maximum level like usual.

“I didn’t feel the need was there this year. I feel comfortable with the $6 million levy; I think the max level was closer to 6.8 or 6.9,” said Shayotovich, adding the reason for the slightly lower need stems from grant money through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) and Coronavirus Aid,m Relief & Economic (CARES ) Act that covered operational needs and some of the other expenses. “This helps to keep the tax rate stable, and maybe even a little bit lower.”

The corporation’s estimated $50,960,184 overall budget is slightly higher than last year, but “We will see what the DLGF does sometime in November when we get the budget back,” said Shayotovich.

Shayotovich and Director of Service Jesse Trunnell also spoke briefly on the three-year plan for building upgrades. The plan remains similar to the one presented in 2021.

These items included, but were not limited to:

Indoor Air Quality: Accelerate the corporation’s 10-year plans to upgrade the air quality at all the schools.

Mechanical Building Controls: Updating the climate setting and air ventilation controls and intercom, fire alarm systems, and clocks.

Playground and gymnasium updates: Including equipment upgrades and possible floor replacements.

“There’s a pretty comprehensive list of things to do over the next few years, and I believe we will continue to be very stable, and all of our funds are healthy,” said Shayotovich. “I hope to keep it that way for a few more years and certainly to continue to support school families in the community in general.”

Details about the CCSC 2022 budget, Bus Replacement Plan, Capital Acquisition Plan, and the Capital Expenditures Plan will soon be online at https://in02200674.schoolwires.net.

The Clay Community Board of Trustees will vote on the final draft of the budget at a meeting in October.