School recaps 2023-24 numbers; seeks golfers

Carrington Public Schools will hold their first day of classes on Tuesday, Aug. 20. A reflection of the time of year, the board meeting held one week before show time was relatively short and ended with the annual tour of the school and grounds.

The sole action item on the agenda for Tuesday, Aug. 13 was the final financial report for the 2023-24 school year. Business Manager Kimary Edland went over the revenues and expenditures, as well as stats from the year that was.

Overall, the district spent $198,048 more than it brought in during the 2023-24 school year, which was by design. As Edland explained, the approved budget called for deficit spending to reduce the district's large general fund reserve, which ended the year at $2.78 million.

The general fund balance increased to over $3 million again at the end of July, as the first foundation aid payment was received last month, before any students would enter the building for the 2024-25 school year.

Edland also noted that the building fund ended in the black this year for the first time in many years, with a balance of $67,727.39 on the books as of July 1.

On the other hand, expenses exceeded revenue in the food service department. The district spent $11,887 more on food service than it brought in between meal tickets and federal school lunch money.

The 2006 bond has been paid off, and the $4,330,000 principal remaining in bonds is all attributed to the 2016 elementary construction.

In the aggregate, Edland reviewed the following stats:

● The cost of educating one student averaged $11,212 in 2023-24, not including transportation services. This reflects an increase over the last two years, when the cost per pupil was $10,564 during the 2021-22 school year and $10,391.60 in 2023-24.

● Enrollment was down slightly last year. The district's average daily membership (ADM) totaled 549.26 in 2023-24, down from 568.40 the prior year.

● Meanwhile, attendance improved. The district's average daily attendance (ADA) totaled 521.51 last year, or 93 percent overall. Last year attendance averaged 92 percent, Edland said, and the improvement was more evident in the high school than the elementary school.

● Salaries and benefits account for almost 75 percent of the district's expenditures, which totaled $6.16 million in 2023-24.

The staff has been busy preparing the school facility and grounds for a new school year, Superintendent Janelle Helm reported. On the tour, she highlighted the new storage modules installed in six high school staff members' rooms over summer. The rooms are now tidy and much more organized, ready for students. Staff members receiving the storage modules included the classrooms of Mr. Braaten, Miss Whipple and Mr. Boehmer, as well as the offices of Mrs. Skytland, Mrs. Hovey and Miss Michaelson. Also on tour, officials highlighted that storage outside of the classrooms is limited, and that few options exist for adding classrooms should enrollment increase. The most likely scenario is that a storage room would be repurposed as a classroom, thereby further reducing the availability of storage space.

Beyond financials and facility updates, the last hump to clear before the new school year begins was transportation. In a lengthy meeting led by transportation committee members Tonia Erickson and Joey Irmen earlier this month, each route was reviewed and adjustments were made to produce a more equitable distribution of stops and miles.

Greg Hoeckle, the veteran educator who applied for early retirement last year, will return to Carrington Public School this fall as a bus driver. Hoeckle will take over Jim Eversvik's route, who retired from his duties this past spring as well.

The new activity bus arrived earlier in the summer and has been used by students for activities such as FFA competitions and baseball. Other than an air conditioning hiccup on one of the warmest days of summer, it has performed well. As of the meeting, the bus was in Bismarck, A/C repairs complete, waiting for an I-State driver to bring it back to Carrington.

Member Tonia Erickson inquired about the girls' golf program, which was moved from spring to fall a couple of years ago.

The season started Aug. 1, and so far only two girls have committed to the program.

Erickson noted the cost of running the program, including two coaches' salaries, when four golfers are needed to send a team to state. She expressed concern shared with her by a community member. "Why are we spending money on a program with only two girls?" was the question.

Dean of Students Karla Michaelson, who was in attendance, answered that the coaching contracts had already been signed before the numbers were known. The program is seeking more participants, Michaelson added, noting the possibility that more girls will compete. Only four practices are needed before a golfer can compete in a meet. Further, one or both of the competing golfers can qualify individually for state in golf, even if there aren't enough to create a team.

Six girls competed in golf last fall, per Michaelson, and the team finished eighth in the state tournament. Officials expected that with only one senior last year, they would return four or five this year. However, the timing of the season and its direct competition with volleyball and cross country has the program in a dry spell. Practices begin three weeks before school starts, and the first meet has already begun.

Kacie Rexin, the senior who finished second overall at state golf last year, led a golfing clinic for youth earlier this month, and 65 kids participated. Half of the kids were girls, Michaelson said, which holds promise for girls' golf at CHS in the future.

That said, the board may need to reconsider reducing the coaching staff or cutting the program altogether next year if the numbers don't improve.

"I just think it's a great sport," Michaelson said, noting its potential for lifelong participation.

Girls in grades 9-12 interested in competing in golf should reach out to the coaches, or Michaelson, as soon as possible. Competition has already begun.

The numbers in the boys' program, meanwhile, are in the mid-20s. The district is still looking for an assistant coach for this coming spring.

The next meeting is set for Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 4 p.m., during which officials will hold their public hearing to review the budget before putting the final stamp of approval on it.