Action of the School Board Action of the School Board 01/26/15 | Page 3

Considering some basic assumptions, Vargas shared three possible scenarios on the district’s general fund, the primary operating budget for the district, for 2015-16 and 2016-17:
• No increase to the general fund results in $7,139,628 estimated deficit in 2015-16,
$19,637,808 estimated deficit in 2016-17.
• Two percent increase to the general fund results in $2,427,364 estimated deficit in 201516, $10,137,409 estimated deficit in 2016-17.
• Four percent increase to the general fund results in $2,284,901 estimated surplus in
2015-16, $448,883 estimated deficit in 2016-17.
If the legislature provides anything less than a two percent increase in general fund revenue, budget cuts would be needed. The district’s existing 10 percent fund balance would
also be used in such a scenario.
“We need the money on the (general fund) formula so we can maintain the programs that
we have,” said Chair Heidemann. “Targeted money to new programs is sometimes good,
but if you’re cutting here as you’re adding there you may not get the intended consequences and improvements you think you’re going to get. Coming in through the formula gives
us the most local control and flexibility at the community level.”
Currently the district relies heavily on state aid. It receives 77 percent of revenue from the
state; 18 percent from property taxes, three percent from the federal government and two
percent from miscellaneous local sources.
Between now and the end of the legislative session in late May, the finance department will
work with departments and schools to develop tentative budgets and plan for staff. The
proposed 2015-16 districtwide budget will be shared with the School Board May 26 and is
expected to be approved June 22.
The presentation can be seen in its entirety on the Jan. 26 School Board agenda.

Health

Seizure Smart Schools recognition presented

Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota (EFM) Director Vicki Kopplin presented to the School
Board a plaque proclaiming Anoka-Hennepin as the first in the nation to be named a Seizure Smart School District. “It’s an honor to present this,” she said.
The effort to become a Seizure Smart School District began in 2013, according to Cindy
Hiltz, health services coordinator, who co-presented the award with Kopplin and district
parent Paul Meunier. It was estimated at that time that there were more than 500 AnokaHennepin students and families dealing with the challenges of epilepsy, a medical disorder
that produces seizures affecting a variety of mental and physical functions.
Since seizures are unpredictable and can occur anywhere and at any time, becoming
Seizure Smart meant working with school staff, including administration, school nurses,
teachers, bus drivers and students, to educate them about epilepsy and epileptic seizures,
and how to recognize and respond to a seizure of any kind, Hiltz said.
Since July 2013, all of the district’s principals, as well as 100 special education workers, 27
school nurses and 46 health paraprofessionals, have received Seizure Smart training. Also,
more than half of the district’s 42 schools have undergone building-wide training, Hiltz
said.

3

ACTION

But it’s not done. “This is something that we want to continue. It’s not just a one-year
thing,” she said.
Learn more about the district’s Seizure Smart training.