Republic Board of Education approves 2019-2020 budget, ‘no major revisions’

The Republic School Board approved the revised 2019-2020 budget for the district during their meeting on Thursday, Feb. 20.
The budget has a total of $81,279,543 in estimated receipts and balances; combining a starting balance from July 1, 2019 of $25,603,195 with estimated revenue of $55,676,348. With estimated total expenditures of $57,376,217, the budget’s estimated projected balance as of June 30 of this year is $23,903,326.
Dr. Chance Wistrom, superintendent of schools, said there were no major revisions to the budget.
“There weren’t any significant changes to the budget, and unrestricted reserve has remained around 25-percent, which is the recommended unrestricted reserve by bond counsel,” he said. “This number is also used as a basis for determining fiscal health of a district.”
Wistrom also said the district’s revenue and expenses, percentage-wise, will increase at about the same rate.
“District revenue is anticipated to grow by approximately 3.8-percent, and district expenditures are anticipated to grow by approximately 3.7-percent. This balance of revenue and expenditures ensures that our district maintains the preferred unrestricted reserve of 25-percent while also reinvesting additional revenue back into staff and additional opportunities for students.  
The budget can be seen in its entirety on the Republic School Board webpage, found on the district’s website.
Also, during the student spotlight part of the meeting, four elementary students who were chosen for the first ever Missouri All-State Children’s Choir spoke to the board about their experiences as part of the choir.
According to information from their presentation, about 1,000 children from across Missouri auditioned for the choir, and 170 students were chosen. Fifth graders Vivian Barnette, Abigail Bremer and Greyson Fleetwood, along with fourth-grader Reese Tapar, were the four Republic students chosen to be part of the choir. The choir performed on Jan. 22 at Lake of the Ozarks.