August 25, 2009

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School Aid Update MSBO & MIEM Online Registration Sites Unavailable August 26 Cost Containment and Reduction Ideas Needed Introduction to School Business Conference Annual MSBO School Finance Committee’s Northern Michigan Workshop Group Solutions – Current Issues 11th Annual Facilities/Operations Director Conference

School Aid Update Michigan's School Aid Budget legislation continues to languish here in Lansing. We do not have much to report except that little progress has been made. The Legislature is just returning and our hope is their return can start things moving again. The Governor's Office along with House and Senate leaders have still not set spending targets. Once spending targets are agreed to, a House/Senate Conference Committee will then begin the task of putting together a compromise State School Aid bill. Once the bill is out of the conference committee, an up or down vote in each chamber will be taken. If approved, it will go to the Governor's desk for her approval and signature. We do not expect to have a signed School Aid bill until mid-to-late September. A few weeks ago, the Senate Fiscal Agency released information that indicated that in the three months since the May Revenue Conference was held, School Aid collections have come in lower than expected by about $85 million, or about $50 per pupil. If we take a look at the Governor’s proposed budget for 2009-10, we are looking at a shortfall in the School Aid Fund of $1.04 billion. If the state applies all available ARRA Stabilization funds to 2009-10, the shortfall would be reduced to $239 million or about $150 per pupil. That shortfall could come as categorical and/or per pupil foundation cuts. In late June, we were given a glimpse of what the Senate would like to see for the 2009-10 year when they passed their version of the bill. With the additional shortfall of $85 million applied to their bill, districts may be facing a $317 per pupil reduction in funding. This would come as Categorical cuts, a potential $160 reduction in the Foundation Allowance and setting aside some of ARRA Stabilization funds until 2010-11. Once again, it is critical for

you to understand that this still must go to a House/Senate Conference Committee and although we have a sense of what the Legislature may be thinking, the numbers will be negotiated and more than likely will change. When we look at 2010-11 using the Senate Fiscal Agency information, we see an estimated shortfall in the School Aid Fund in excess of $600 per pupil. Obviously with the ARRA Stabilization funds drying up, the looming problem of a funding cliff becomes closer and more distinct. Districts should keep the 2010-11 shortfall in mind when making reductions for the present year. MSBO will continue to keep you informed and provide the latest, up-to-date information on our website at www.msbo.org. MSBO and MIEM Online Registration Sites Unavailable August 26 Both MSBO’s and MIEM’s online registration sites will be down tomorrow, Wednesday August 26 for system upgrades. We hope to have the systems back in operation by the afternoon, but they could be down all day. We apologize for any inconvenience this will cause you. Please check back or feel free to fax your registration to the fax number on your registration form. Thanks, we appreciate your cooperation! Cost Containment and Reduction Ideas Needed   MSBO is collecting information and ideas on how districts are dealing with budget constraints. The intent is to compile an inventory of ideas for cost containment, reductions, and revenue enhancements. We are going to make this information available to the membership. Information about you and your district is optional. We will be posting your ideas as written on our website, but do not need to connect them to a particular district. This survey will produce simple to understand techniques and ideas that will foster additional conversations dealing with implementation issues. Thank you in advance for taking the time to respond and share some of your information and ideas. Please pass on your ideas, no matter how simple or straightforward. Please complete one form per cost saving or revenue enhancement idea and expand upon each topic in the space below. Please return via e-mail to [email protected] or [email protected]. For more information please contact Bob Dwan at (517) 327-2581. Introduction to School Business Conference

  Septem mber 21-22, 2009 • Kelllogg Centter, East La ansing, MI Agenda Online Registration R n Flyer & Registratio R n Form The Intro oduction to o School Bu usiness Con nference takes many certification c classes an nd rolls them intto an inform mation-packked two-dayy event. Thiis program is designed d as an introducction for new w business officials an nd office sta aff memberss who are in their first few years off employme ent. This is a great op pportunity to begin th he learning g process for new staff or to begin prepping p ex xisting sta aff for greatter respon nsibility. It’’s also a gre eat refreshe er for “veterrans” who want w a basicc review of information n. This confference is a required d class for certification c in the following trackss: • Chief Financial F Officer • Busine ess Office Manager M • Schooll Payroll Sp pecialist • Busine ess Office Specialist S • Human n Resource e Specialist Registerr with the hotel at 1-80 00.875.5090 0. Although h the date to t take advvantage of the special $89 $ double/queen rate e has passe ed, you may still be ab ble to obtain n the reducced rate if you ide entify MSBO as the grroup you arre with. 1.4 SB-C CEUs can be b earned pending p approval.

Annuall MSBO School S Fin nance Co ommittee––Northern n Michiga an Meetin ng Septem mber 17-18, 2009 • Boy yne Mounttain Resort, Boyne Falls F Everyon ne is invited d! This meeting is held annually to o allow for greater g parrticipation frrom our Northern n Michigan members. If you hav ve not registered, now is the tim me to do itt! What Yo ou'll Learn n: Senate Fiscal F Agen ncy – The Senate S Fisccal Agency Chief Analyst for Scho ool Aid will join us to share e her though hts on the upcoming u y year and pre esent the la atest SFA in nformation on School Aid A funding. Will there be a reducction in the foundation allowance and catego orical allocatio ons? Are Sttate revenues keeping g up with pro ojections? What W is the e plan for th he

ARRA Stabilization Fund for 2009-10? What about 2010-11? ARRA Phase II – Now that you’ve lived through Phase I of the ARRA funding, what will be different in Phase II? A presentation by MDE Representatives, followed by a question and answer session is on the docket. The latest information on grants such as Race to the Top, applications, reporting and funding will be discussed. Now, prepare your district and budget for Phase II. Accounting and Auditing Update – An update on how the latest changes in the auditing and accounting rules have affected audits completed thus far and learn how you will be affected by the future changes coming our way. The latest and greatest will be discussed. School Aid Update – It’s always good to start the school year with the latest information on State Aid. Based on the information available today, 2009-10 is still unsettled. “Be in the Know” by attending and getting straight talk and seasoned insight on State Aid from one of the best. Legislative Update – What they are doing now and what’s next! Also Some Roundtable Time – We are setting a little time aside for roundtable questions this year… so come with issues to discuss. SB-CEUs: Northern Michigan School Finance Workshop is an easy and inexpensive way to earn 0.3 SB-CEUs. (pending approval) Tentative Meeting Agenda Thursday, September 17, 2009 3:00 p.m. ISD Committee Meeting 6:00 p.m. Reception – All are welcome (compliments of Stifel Nicolaus & MSBO) 7:00 p.m. Dinner – Must register / $25 cost Friday, September 18, 2009 7:00 a.m. Breakfast buffet (compliments of MILAF+/PFM Asset Management, LLC) 8:00 a.m. Workshop begins Noon Workshop adjourns Registration Info: Complete registration form and fax it to Marte Cadwell at 517.327.0768. Or you can register online. Your meeting registration and/or dinner payment must be received by September 9, 2009. Lodging reservation info: Reserve your room as soon as you can! Each person is responsible for making his or her own room arrangements. Lodging reservations are required. Fill out the lodging request form and mail or fax the form to Boyne Mountain Resort. They will not accept online or phone reservations for the reduced rate (the

deadline for the reduced rate has passed but they may still honor it). Questions: Contact Robert Dwan. Questions about registration should be directed to Marte Cadwell or at 517.327.5920.   Group Solutions – Current Issues October 8-9, 2009, Garland Resort, Lewiston Online registration Registration Form 1st day: 1:30-5:15 PM; Reception and Dinner–5:30-7:00 PM 2nd day: 8:00-8:45 AM Breakfast; 8:45 AM-12:00 PM Program This session provides hands-on business office self-assessment, discussion, real-world problem solving, and networking especially geared toward local district business managers. Get straight talk, advice, and professional support to assist you in understanding the forces that make your position one of the most challenging in public education. Exposure to other professionals facing the same issues you are, and, together, helping to provide practical solutions. This session will include a reception, dinner, breakfast and materials. This session (6.5 hours) meets one-half of your Group Solutions renewal requirement for members who hold CFO and/or BOM designation. This course is required twice in a five-year period to renew your certificate. Lodging reservation info: Reserve your room as soon as you can! Each person is responsible for making his or her own room arrangements. Lodging reservations are required and must be made by September 8, 2009 to receive the MSBO special rate of $105/$110, depending on accommodations. Unreserved rooms are released on September 9, 2009. Please call 1-877-442-7526 to make your reservation and mention MSBO for the special rates. 11th Annual Facility/Operations Directors Conference Through Tough Times

Sustainable

Plan on attending the 11th Annual Facilities/Operations Directors Conference on October 4-6, 2009 at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville. Conference room rates are good through September 3, 2009. We are all experiencing tough times these days. How do we handle it? We must continue to learn to leverage our reduced resources and overloaded schedules. This conference is the place to learn new ideas and practices and hear about how others are dealing with the many challenges they face in their school districts. This conference is about sustaining yourself personally and professionally. You won’t find a better conference to provide the tools you need to help you through these

“tough times.” Full conference agenda. Crystal Mountain Reservation form. (tax exempt form included) Register now!

You received this e-mail as a member of MSBO. MSBO is a professional organization that provides programs and services to those in school business. MSBO promotes the highest standards of school business management practices and provides professional growth opportunities to achieve the most effective use of resources in the education of children. Please do not click "Reply" to this e-mail. For any questions or concerns, please write to MSBO at: [email protected].

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