School District OKs Contract to Help Plot Future Financial Needs

Waukee school officials heard a report this week about modeling tools that help them determine future tax rates and bonding capacity for the growing Dallas County school district.

Gary Sinclair, who works for the Iowa Association of School Boards and PMA Financial Network Inc., praised the school district for its handling of financial and budget matters when he met with the school board this week, the Des Moines Register reported.

“Waukee has had unprecedented enrollment, unprecedented facility demands, and your financial position is remarkable,” he said.

After uploadiing the district’s financial district from the year ended June 30 into the PMA Financial Network modeling system, Sinclair explained to the board that 53 percent of revenues came from the state, 47 percent from property taxes and 7 percent from other sources. Salaries accounted for 61 percent of expenditures, and 16 percent went to benefits.

Superintendent Dave Wilkerson said he thinks the tools will help the district better prepare for building projects and salaries, just as weather forecasts help people prepare for big events.

“Now we can predict when it’s coming and be better prepared when it hits,” he said.

The school district agreed to a two-year contract with Sinclair’s firm for planning guidance, which includes access to the tools Sinclair demonstrated at the school board meeting. The cost to the district this year is $8,500.