Overview

  • The Finance and Business Services Department coordinates the daily, monthly, quarterly and annual business operations of the school district. Our functions include budgeting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, purchasing, student accounting, and insurance management.

    The department also manages the annual budget, audit and levy process. Our staff works together on a day-to-day basis to process cash receipts and disbursements in a timely manner and manage the cash and other assets of the district.

News and Information

  • School Board approves proposed budget adjustments, addressing $4.1 million shortfall

    At its meeting on April 13, the South St. Paul School Board approved the 2020-21 proposed budget adjustments for addressing a projected $4.1 million budget shortfall. According to district officials, the gap is the result of declining enrollment, increasing costs and inequitable state funding.

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  • Despite looming budget cuts, district class sizes remain among lowest in the metro

    Based on a recently released study of 33 metro area school districts, the class sizes in South St. Paul Public Schools (SSPPS) continue to be among the lowest compared to neighboring districts and districts across the Twin Cities. The annual class size study is conducted by Metro ECSU, a regional educational cooperative focused on delivering services to districts while reducing costs through collaboration.

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  • Board, administration begin budget alignment process for 2020-21

    At a special meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 21, the South St. Paul School Board agreed to a budget adjustment target of approximately $1.17 million for the coming academic year. This discussion launches the district’s budget planning process for the 2020-21 school year. With fiscal parameters now established, administration will prepare recommendations for budget reductions, redesign and revenue generation (BRRRG) that will help address the district’s projected budget shortfall.

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  • School Board approves annual tax levy, includes smaller increase than originally projected

    South St. Paul Public Schools (SSPPS) homeowners will see a 5.83 percent increase on their 2019 Payable 2020 property tax levy, which is considerably less than the increase preliminarily approved by the board in September. While half of the increase is the due to a combination of annual cost increases and new payments for the purchase of the River Heights Professional Building, the other half of the levy increase is the result of rising property values in the community.

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  • District’s credit rating remains stable, provides positive outlook for financing of new facility

    Standard & Poor’s (S & P) Financial Service recently affirmed its AA- underlying and A+ unenhanced rating to South St. Paul Public Schools (SSPPS) for the district’s financing to secure the purchase and renovation of the River Heights Professional Building. The certificates of participation (COPs) will be included in the district’s lease levy, which supports facilities use and maintenance for educational purposes. The positive credit rating keeps South St. Paul Public Schools in the top third of all Minnesota school districts rated by S & P.

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  • District financial audit shows strong fiscal stewardship despite funding challenges

    The district received a positive report on its annual financial audit, which was presented to and approved by the School Board at the Nov. 25 meeting. Auditors issued an “unmodified opinion” on the district’s financial statements for the 2018-19 school year, which means no corrections were needed and all accounting is in order. The audit also noted that the district had implemented adequate procedures to correct a minor finding in last year’s audit report.

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