Summary of Superintendent's Transition Plan

Even before my first day on the job as Superintendent, I set out to be intentional about meeting people and building relationships in order to learn about the school district from multiple perspectives and to identify the strengths and challenges of our District and larger community. On Monday evening, I shared a few thoughts with the Board about my transition period, including:

• We have high-quality staff, who are proud of our district and a high percentage of whom are invested to the point of living in the community and sending their children to our schools.
• We have amazing students and families who are proud to be part of the Waconia community.
• The community supports our schools, both personally and financially.
• Our facilities have been greatly enhanced in recent years due to community investment.
• We have outstanding educational programs and activity options for students.

Board Receives FY 2022 Audit; Is Presented Budget Process Timeline for 2023-24

The Board received the final audit for fiscal year 2022 from a representative from CliftonLarsonAllen. The audit shows that the District ended fiscal year 2022 with a negative general fund balance of $5,027,452. 

Some stakeholders have raised questions about information in a prior communication regarding unexpected insurance costs that are affecting this year's budget. Board members spent some time questioning the auditor regarding this situation at Monday's work session. I'm sorry if the information in the prior communication was confusing and I want to try to clarify that these costs are not related to rising healthcare costs or employee use of our health insurance plan. Instead, this is a one-time accounting correction related to retiree benefits that Director Chhoth discovered. Perhaps think of it like writing a check to pay a bill. After you write the check and send it out, the company will cash the check, and as a result, the money you owed and paid via check will move from your account to theirs. However, if you didn't write it down in your checkbook, the amount you have on record as your fund balance will not match the actual balance in your account. At some point you have to write that check number and amount down to demonstrate the money is gone, not because of an extra expense, but because your records need to match the money you spent. 

Following the audit presentation, Director of Finance and Operations Ra Chhoth presented an updated budget forecast for fiscal year 2023. Chhoth also presented the Board a proposed timeline for the 2023-24 budget planning process. This timeline will be mostly facilitated during the months of January and February and will include multiple opportunities for stakeholder engagement. As an integral part of this process, Director Chhoth and I will attend staff meetings across the District in early January to review the timeline and answer questions. 

Looking Ahead 

On December 19, the District will hold its annual Truth in Taxation hearing at 6:00 p.m., with the Regular Meeting to follow immediately after the conclusion of that hearing. Outgoing board members Mike Bullis, Jackie Johnson, Rachel Myers and Brian Rothstein will be recognized. 

Please note that due to a conflict at City Hall Council Chambers, both the Truth in Taxation hearing and the Regular Meeting will be held in Room C107 at Waconia High School.