Financial analysis brings Northwest Allen County Schools closer to making long-range plan decisions | Schools

Northwest Allen County Schools on Monday received a financial analysis that should help leaders prioritize about $180 million in proposed long-term needs.

Superintendent Wayne Barker didn’t specify when the school board might start making decisions about the potential projects – which include a new natatorium, a new transportation facility and a career and technical education center. But after Monday’s meeting, he said that the elected leaders are getting closer to such a step.

“Certainly, this information was what they needed,” Barker said, referring to the report from Policy Analytics. “To be fair to them, I think we’ve got to give them some time to consider it.”

The board agreed last month to hire the Indianapolis firm – which conducts property tax analyses for governmental units – after receiving preliminary financing information from Baker Tilly, another consultant.

Brandon Basham, the district’s chief financial officer, has said Policy Analytics’ expertise in public finance should help NACS understand the best options for taxpayers as the district prioritizes items proposed in the 10-year plan.

Basham received the report hours before the board meeting, he said, so he was taking lots of notes as the Policy Analytics representative presented the findings. Basham plans to study the material in more detail but offered his initial reaction after the meeting adjourned.

“Anytime that you are able to potentially – depending on how you structure the debt – do $50 (million) or $100 million worth of projects and not have a heavy impact to the taxpayers is pretty remarkable,” Basham said. “Now, I think we need to go back and get into the weeds about what’s best for everybody.”

Barker said he will talk with board members individually over the next few weeks about the topic, learn what questions they have and get them answers.

The potential construction projects have received much of the focus so far, but the board must also consider nearly $10.4 million in staffing needs – including 95 additional positions – identified in the long-range plan, Barker said.

He expects the administration will make a recommendation to the board about how to proceed.

Barker reiterated on Monday that decisions about a ninth elementary school can wait based on this fall’s enrollment.

“I still think it will be something that has to be done over the next 10 years with the number of homes that have been approved in developments, but that is not something that I would be recommending that’s on that list that I would include in projects for this year,” Barker said.

In other business, the board held public hearings for next year’s proposed budget and the associated capital projects and bus replacement plans. NACS anticipates a flat total tax rate of 87.97 cents per $100 of assessed value.

The hearings closed without any input from the public.