Wednesday, June 13, 2012

JPS issues press release on finances

And JPS sends out this press release:

Jackson Public School District Begins Discussions On the Upcoming School Year Budget

The leadership of the Jackson Public School District met with the Budget Committee of the Jackson City Council June 11, 2012, to begin dialogue regarding the District's proposed budget for the 2012-2013 school year, which starts July 1. The City of Jackson traditionally will not complete its budget process and notify the public of the millage structure and its effect on the tax levy until September of each year.

General Overview and Focus

Each year, as required by law, the District presents to the City of Jackson a budget request, in dollars, and the City is required to set the appropriate millage and levy the taxes that will produce the amount requested by the District. The 2012-2013 school year will require support from taxes for an operating budget of approximately $69,200,000, plus a debt service budget of approximately $17,108,000. Significant steps have been taken this school year to streamline administrative costs and overhead that will have a positive impact on the District's reserve fund this year and in future years. The District anticipates, however, that the 2012-2013 school year budget may require a millage increase to meet the debt service obligations for the $150,000,000 bonds for various school projects that were overwhelmingly approved by citizens of Jackson back in 2006. The millage assessed has not produced the amount of revenue required to make these debt payments. Instead, for several years, the additional funds required to meet debt service obligations were appropriated, in part, from the District's reserve fund.


Background Regarding the $150 Million Referendum and Debt Service


In November 2006, a $150 million bond referendum was approved overwhelmingly (81%) by Jackson voters. In voting for the bond referendum, voters approved any required tax increase through 2028 to support several major projects. Millage for debt service purposes was expected to incrementally increase by up to 9 mills over this period. The projects included the following:

Classroom additions for five elementary schools,
An elementary/middle school complex (Bates/Cardozo) and Kirksey Middle School,
Replacement of two aging middle schools - Peeples and Blackburn,
Athletic fieldhouses at five high schools,
$28 million in capital improvements to schools throughout the city, and
A new elementary school.

Initiatives Taken by the Superintendent and Board of Trustees

As the state and nation endured a major recession soon after the passage of the bond referendum, the District used some of its reserves to pay the bond debt service rather than turning to taxpayers. Combined with significant decreases in state and federal funding to education, the District's reserves have dipped lower than required by state law and District policy, which is 7%. This has placed the District in a position where we may not be able to respond adequately to unforeseen needs in our schools. To restore these reserves and maintain a balanced budget, the District has taken, and will continue to take, appropriate steps including the following:

"Right-sizing" the Administration and Central Office,
Optimizing human and fiscal resources,
Improving oversight of current resources,
Exploring additional revenue streams, and
Identifying internal savings.

District leadership is working collaboratively with Mayor Harvey Johnson, the City Council, and City financial officials to publicly present a plan to ensure that the $150 million bond referendum is retired as originally outlined to the citizens of Jackson. This plan will also allow the District to gradually restore its reserve fund in compliance with State regulations.

As always, the District appreciates the collaboration and strong support of parents, students, taxpayers, the elected leadership, the business community, and all other citizens as we strive to make our public education system a priority and an effective and successful medium to prepare the next generation of Americans.

Board Work Sessions on Budget
Wednesday, June 13, 2012, 4-6 p.m.
School Board Meeting Room
621 South State Street

Public Hearings on Budget
Tuesday, June 19, 2012, 4 p.m.
School Board Meeting Room
621 South State Street

Tuesday, June 26, 2012, 4 p.m.
School Board Meeting Room
621 South State Street

Budget Adoption
Tuesday, June 26, 2012, immediately after the public hearing



I'm just going to make one comment. Dear JPS, considering you have not provided an audit since 2009, some of us just don't believe your claims in this press release.

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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
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