By ROBERT LINNEHAN
The Evesham K-8 BOE is still exploring new streams of revenue despite passing its 2011 preliminary budget last Thursday night. Business Administrator Dennis Nettleton revealed several shared service programs the district is exploring and some new initiatives for the 2011–2012 school year.
The first is the district’s new tuition based full-day kindergarten program, originally created with just two classes but expanded to three because of its popularity. Nettleton said this will likely continue to expand throughout the years and be an important revenue generating program.
The programs will be at three elementary schools in the district, he said.
The district will also again take part in the ACES program, which unites school districts in the area to go out and receive gas and electricity prices at discount rates. It allows the district to lock in a below market rate, Nettleton said, and is not subjected to the fluctuating rates that most organizations pay in the state.
Also, Nettleton said the district may look into a paperless system for its paycheck vouchers, a suggestion made several weeks ago by BOE Member Sandy Student.
“We’ll be analyzing our facilities rental rate as well,” Nettleton said.
The district typically just charges for the price of a janitor that has to be in the facility while it is being rented out, Nettleton said. But in reality, the costs are greater than just one janitor. The lights are on in the facility, the HVAC system is running, and energy costs should all be factored into the rental rate, he said.
Finally, district employees will be offering professional development services to other school districts in the area. The district has had interest from other professionals to attend the Evesham K-8 professional development courses, Nettleton said. Also, one school district has also expressed interest in hiring an employee of the district to put on a professional development course in the other district’s facility.
“We’re very actively trying to find new ways to bring in revenue for the district,” Nettleton said.
The 2011–2012 budget will be either approved or denied by township voters on Wednesday, April 27.
