CHERRY TWP — In a 5-4 vote Jan. 22 Moniteau School Board approved a proposal to accept Skyward as the district's new student management software provider.

“An update and transition for the current provider means they will no longer update our existing system. This necessitated investigation for other alternatives,” said John D'Amore, district business manager.

Skyward was recommended to the school board by a committee that evaluated several options. The committee included administrators and teachers.

The Skyward software will track grades, attendance, scheduling and transcripts. It also will provide parent access to the information. The company's Skylert software will provide a communication link between the district and parents and students.

Skyward replaces other software vendors that have provided a system to alert parents to school cancellations and delays.

“The cost is somewhat comparable to our current student management software. There are some upfront costs that we expect to recoup over a period of time,” said D'Amore.

Those costs include the software, installation and training.

The anticipated contract will be for three years, through 2021.

In other business:

The school board passed an Act 1 resolution confirming that when the district prepares the 2018-2019 budget, it will not exceed the Act 1 tax increase index determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Kim Turnley of Mark Turnley CPAs gave the 2016-17 district audit report. There were no findings.

The audit report showed that the 2016-17 district revenues exceeded the budget by $263,000. The audit report also showed the 2016-17 district expenditures were $197,000 less than budgeted.

“Our overall fund balance increased at the end of that fiscal year, demonstrating continued financial prudence and stability of the district,” D'Amore said. “Our unassigned fund balance is generally 7 percent of the district budget.”

He said the Department of Education recommends less than 12 percent of the budget as an acceptable unassigned fund balance.

“That gives the district a cushion to function month to month,” D'Amore said.