Finances
WE are Fiscally Responsible
As we continue to expand our learning opportunities to prepare our students to successfully meet the demands of life after graduation, we are committed to aligning our resources to Lakota's educational priorities while ensuring financial stability.
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WE will continue to be good stewards of our residents' tax dollars by operating a strategically aligned and efficient budget because fiscal responsibility is a top priority for the district;
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WE will continue to monitor spending and re-prioritize dollars to enhance personalized student learning;
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WE will continue to put the majority of our resources toward instruction, pupil support and instructional support; and
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WE will continue to provide financial transparency to our community through annual publications like the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and the Financial Prospectus.
Auditor of State Award: 8 Consecutive Years
Fewer than 5 percent of all entities that are audited annually earn the Auditor of State Award with Distinction – and Lakota has received the honor eight years in a row.
The criteria to receive the award includes:
- Complete a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) within 6 months of fiscal year end;
- Have a “clean audit” with no findings for recovery, material citations, material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, single audit findings or questioned costs; and
- Have no other financial concerns.
Lakota's audit is available on the Auditor of State's website.
Refinancing Saves Taxpayer Dollars; Increases Bond Ratings
Strong financial decisions made by the district during the last few years, including saving more than $6 million in interest expense due to recent refinancing of debt, have earned Lakota Local Schools one of the highest possible bond ratings of Aa1 by Moody’s Investors Service and AA+ by Standard & Poor’s (S&P).
Lakota's Last Levy: 2013
The priorities for the November 2013 levy were shaped by the community's collective vision for the future of education. The identified areas aim to maximize the community's long-term investment in our schools by stretching the dollars to positively impact as many students as possible.
Budget Stabilization Policy
While Lakota’s budget stabilization policy sets a minimum ninety day cash balance, the forecast predicts the amount will exceed seven months at the end of Fiscal Year 2022, more than double the minimum set in policy.
10 Years of Balanced Budgets
Fiscal Year 2022 marks 10 consecutive years that Lakota has had a balanced budget. This decade of balanced budgets has enabled Lakota to build up very strong cash reserves.
These are just two examples of the district living up to the WE are Fiscally Responsible pillar of its strategic plan.
Finance News
![red blue green yellow image of people in circle blue rectangle community conversation student voice: junior schools recap]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1675089260/lakotaonlinecom/dd2hwhfgehnlwlfgt7zy/FinanceCCRecap.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1675089260/lakotaonlinecom/dd2hwhfgehnlwlfgt7zy/FinanceCCRecap.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1675089260/lakotaonlinecom/dd2hwhfgehnlwlfgt7zy/FinanceCCRecap.jpg","width":760}])
Community members were invited to have a community conversation with the Board about school finances. Here's what they had to say.
![Man with glasses in gray suit blue shirt and orange and blue tie]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1655568275/lakotaonlinecom/fslihdo7xvo10k43ujzy/ZinkNamedTreasurer.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1655568275/lakotaonlinecom/fslihdo7xvo10k43ujzy/ZinkNamedTreasurer.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1655568275/lakotaonlinecom/fslihdo7xvo10k43ujzy/ZinkNamedTreasurer.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1655568275/lakotaonlinecom/fslihdo7xvo10k43ujzy/ZinkNamedTreasurer.jpg","width":1000}])
The Lakota Board of Education approved Adam Zink as the new treasurer for the 17,000 student school district at its June 20 meeting. Zink will begin his new position on Aug. 1, following the retirement of long-time Lakota Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Jenni Logan.
For General Inquiries:
Email: treasurers@lakotaonline.com