Concord Board approves $59K transfer for electric bus charging infrastructure

The Concord School Board Finance Committee convened on June 16, 2025, to discuss key financial matters affecting the district, including budget allocations and food service operations. The meeting began with a motion to appropriate $59,576 from the school building maintenance fund to purchase electric chargers for three new electric school buses. This funding is derived from insurance proceeds related to a totaled bus. The motion was approved unanimously, allowing the district to secure the necessary resources for the chargers, which will be installed at the common operations maintenance facility.

Following this, the committee turned its attention to the budget for the 2026 fiscal year. The chair expressed optimism about the 2025 budget, hoping it would meet the anticipated $2.8 million mark. However, concerns were raised regarding potential challenges for the 2026 and 2027 budgets, particularly in light of expected salary increases and flat funding from state sources. The committee tentatively scheduled a special board meeting for October 27, 2025, to finalize the budget after receiving property valuation data.

The discussion then shifted to the food service budget, where the committee reviewed meal balances as of June 12. The outstanding debt in student meal accounts was noted, with efforts underway to collect these debts before the end of the school year. The committee acknowledged that any uncollected debt would need to be covered by the general fund to comply with federal requirements. Current projections indicated a potential deficit of $341,000 in the food service fund, although the district has an unassigned fund balance of $494,000 that could be utilized if necessary.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the district's proactive approach to managing its finances, addressing immediate needs while preparing for future budgetary challenges. The committee's decisions will play a crucial role in ensuring the district's financial stability and operational effectiveness in the coming years.