School Beat: Weather Consult: "Wxman Writes----2005-6 winter 9.5% below 30yr average; Observer cautions

"I can tell you that in terms of heating degree days (HDDs), we were 9.5% below normal (less is warmer) for December - February (meteorological winter). If therms are directly proportional to HDDs, and therms are directly proportional to cost, then the school's cost for heat was about 10% below normal (1971-2000 winters). But someone else will have to verify that.

The numbers for Madison look like this:

December normal (1971-2000) 1298
December 2005 1391

January normal 1490
January 2006 1029

February normal 1203
February 2006 1192

Only the last week of December and the month of January were significantly above normal. The first three weeks of December were quite cold for that time of year. Unlike most recent years, February was reasonably chilly. See http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mkx/climate/tempgraph.php

Wxman

Thanks Wxman for the weather segment. What does this mean for us and the Evansville School District 2006-2007 budget?

In the budget handout, Heidi Carvin indicated that there was a $60,000 energy saving. However, in another section of the meeting, she referred to the fact that the district just did not have to borrow $240,000 out of savings to cover the energy spike but only $180,000. How is that a saving? It is NOT.

The school budget for 2006-2007 reflects a 5% increase from "actual" expenses for energy. As the weather analysis indicates, last years weather was 9.5% below "normal". In budgeting one has to expect some increase in cost and possible increase in usage in addition to the "normal". Hence------it is clear that a 5% budget increase is bogus. The Observer would propose for debate purposes that one has to take the $60,000 to get to normal plus add the increased cost of energy for the coming year say 10% and then come up with a $120,000 expected "actual" dollar increase for the budget. A 10% increase in energy price may be dreaming so the cost may be a lot higher. I hope not. ... So----there is still a gap that has to be dealt with that cannot wait till next year and/or will have to be taken again from the fund balance.

The school board and the public have been kept in the dark on these matters. It is time to confront the budget "gap" and the energy crisis. Disinformation does not help.

The Observer is calling for a clarification of the numbers in this matter. The Observer would appreciate the admission that the $60,000 represented to the board as saving is bogus.

The Observer is also calling for a disclosure of what exact amount is planned to be taken from the fund balance for the coming school year. This was not disclosed to the school board.

It would be wonderful if I am wrong in this analysis. I hope I am wrong.

Thanks Wxman for the weather.

The comment line is open. You make the call.