Estherville Lincoln Central Community School District had a clean bill of health in its 2009 audit report presented at Monday night's board meeting.
Ebony Rahe of Williams and Company of Sioux Falls, S.D., said the district had received an unqualified clean opinion. Highlights included an increase of $142,000 in net assets over 2008 with expenses up $727,000. Rahe said revenues have been steady; however, net assets decreased $430,000, most of which was attributed to the Regional Wellness Center. Rahe said the general fund increased $418,000 over the prior year.
Rahe suggested the district review documentation procedures for the school nutrition program. She said some participants may have been awarded free meals when they should have received reduced lunches and some may have received reduced-price meals when they should not have.
In other business, Kate Woods, business manger, said the district general fund was up 3 percent compared to the same time last year.
Some of the highlights from administrative reports included the following:
n The pops concert for grades 5-12 will be 7 p.m. Thursday night at Roosevelt Auditorium.
n Frank Christenson, ELC High School principal, noted a graduation rate for the 2008-09 school year of 98.92, significantly less than the statewide dropout rate. Christenson also noted that students receiving a general equivalent diploma are included in dropout statistics.
n Kevin Richardson, technology coordinator, said there has had to be some adjustment due to weather-related damage to the ICN room. He said an alternative solution is to send the ICN signal over the cable television network.
n Bob Grems, RWC director, said an energy efficiency conservation block grant had been applied for. Grems also noted memberships were up 6 percent over last year. "Our weather outside has helped us," Grems said.
Jodie Greig, board president, thanked the public for ideas it had submitted on how to save the district money. She also said she especially appreciates if those comments have signatures.
Clarification
A story in the Tuesday's Daily News should have specified that Superintendent Dick Magnuson had recommended eliminating or reducing the equivalent of one full-time position or reducing two full-time nursing positions to half-time. The story did not specify the area that would be impacted.