New Teacher Orientation

August 13, 2025

Central Business Office

The Lake Forest School District is committed to excellence for all by providing a safe, collaborative and inclusive learning environment that prepares life-long learners to become college and career ready.

Lake Forest School District Mission

ROLE OF CENTRAL � BUSINESS OFFICE

Central Point of

Contact/Support

Promote good stewardship of taxpayer dollars

• Payroll/Pensions

• Purchasing/Contracts

• Renovations/ New Buildings

• School Board

Reports

• District & School Budgets

SCHOOL DISTRICT FINANCES

• STATE - Formulaically driven based on “Units,” which are driven by the number of students enrolled in each school on September 30^th.
• 76 percent of the District’s resources

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• LOCAL - Property Tax Receipts for operations, debt service, tuition and match areas.
• 19 percent of the District’s resources

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• FEDERAL - Passed through from the Department of Education to supplement state and local funding.
• 5 percent of the District’s resources

SCHOOL DISTRICT FINANCES (CONTINUED)

• Non-Discretionary Resources -
• Division I and II - State
• Tuition, Debt Service and Match Taxes - Local
• Grants - Federal
• Discretionary Resources -
• Division III – State Equalization Funding
• Supplement local tax collections by attempting to level the playing field of school districts
• Current Expense Tax – Local Tax for Operations
• Set by referendum

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SCHOOL DISTRICT FINANCES (CONTINUED)

FISCAL YEAR 2026 PRELIMINARY BUDGET

• East, North, South and Central Elementary - $136 per student

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• WT Chipman Middle School - $136 per student

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• Lake Forest High School - $155 per student

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• Work with Principals and secretaries within each respective school for specific classroom budgets, purchasing supplies, etc.

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PAYROLL

• Paycheck
• First Paycheck (9/19/2025)
• Direct Deposit
• Bi-weekly
• Pension deduction
• Union dues
• Pay - https://my.delaware.gov/login/login.htm
• Employee Self Service with Benefits, Payroll and W2 Information

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• 3 pay months (October and May)
• No health or dental will be deducted from the third check.

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• Appendix and Athletic Positions

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• Extra Time Sheets (Droplet)

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Christy, Laura, Cora

REIMBURSEMENTS

• Expense Authorization/Reimbursements (travel, mileage, tuition, expenses, etc.

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• Documentation/Support Lake Forest School District | Home (lf.k12.de.us)

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• Pre-approval by Administrator of Funds

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• Timeframe for reimbursement

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• Delivery address

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Mel, Terri

5423 Killens Pond Rd

Felton DE 19943

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & �TRAVEL REQUESTS IN �DATA SERVICE CENTER (DSC)

All PD and travel requests must be entered into DSC when you are not in your classroom or building. Some examples you might encounter are: A virtual conference, IEP writings, Curriculum meetings, having to go to court for a student, etc.

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When a Sub is required, you have to put your absence in DSC. This could�be sick leave, personal leave, or a PD request.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & �TRAVEL REQUESTS IN �DATA SERVICE CENTER (DSC)

Types of documentation could be an email, conference registration, notification of meeting, agenda, etc.

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When a cost is involved, i.e. Sub or registration fee, you must have a funding source in your request.

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Requests will be denied if no backup documentation and/or funding is provided.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & �TRAVEL REQUESTS IN �DATA SERVICE CENTER (DSC)

You must talk with your Building Admin before�attending any conference when travel is needed.�Registrations, airfare, hotel fees cannot be made�in advance of receiving approval. If arrangements�are made prior to final approval of travel, the�employee risks not being reimbursed these costs.�Travel requests must entered in DSC to be eligible�for reimbursement.

Know before you go

DKCA TRAVEL-PROFESSIONAL ABSENCE POLICY

QUICK TIP FOR SUBMITTING A�TRAVEL/PROFESSIONAL LEAVE REQUEST

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & �TRAVEL REQUESTS IN �DATA SERVICE CENTER (DSC)

Summary

When in doubt, ask your School Secretary for assistance.�They will help you with filling out the DSC request form.

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You can always call or email me with questions.

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Melody Kelley at 302-284-3020 x 118

melody.kelley@lf.k12.de.us

ATTENDANCE/SUB REQUESTS

• Data Service https://www.dataservice.org

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• Kelly Services https://www.kellyeducationalstaffing.us/

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Remember the links to Data Service are on the Lake Forest School District web page. https://www.lf.k12.de.us/ under the staff resources tab.

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Laura

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Sam

Scan this to access Delaware.gov benefits information!

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Appendix C Form

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Complete form when:

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Leave of absence 3 days or more

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Medical leave of absences will require a physician’s note

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All unpaid leave of absences

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Worker’s Compensation: If injured, notify Administrators & school nurse ASAP

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CONTACT INFORMATION

• Kurt Kelemen, Chief Financial Officer

284-3020 ext. 105

Kurt.Kelemen@lf.k12.de.us

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• Christy Rhodes (Payroll excluding Paras and Food Service)

284-3020 ext. 117

Christy.Rhodes@lf.k12.de.us

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• Melody Kelley (Travel Requests)

284-3020 ext. 118

Melody.Kelley@lf.k12.de.us

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• Samantha Teel (Benefits/Workers Comp/Medical Leave/Disability)

284-3020 ext. 130

Samantha.Teel@lf.k12.de.us

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• Terri Fry (Reimbursements)

284-3020 ext. 119

Terri.Fry@lf.k12.de.us

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• Laura Gott

(Attendance, Sub Requests, Para Payroll, School Choice)

284-3020 ext. 121

Laura.Gott@lf.k12.de.us

• Misdee Stallings (Identification Badges)

284-3020 ext. 100

Misdee.Stallings@lf.k12.de.us

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