Harlem school board approves $650,000 transfer to operations fund and $200,000 to transportation

The Harlem Consolidated School District approved a resolution transferring $650,000 from the education fund to the operations and maintenance fund and $200,000 from the education fund to the transportation fund following a public hearing required under school code.

Troy Yarbrough, superintendent, explained the legal basis for the hearing and the transfers, saying, "anytime that we transfer funds between Ed and O. M, transportation requires a public hearing per school code," and read the sums to be moved. Board members asked clarifying questions about the amounts and source of the transfers before the vote.

The board voted to approve the resolution. Board members recorded voting “aye” included Mister McKnight, Missus McKinney, Missus Carlson, Missus Johnson, Missus Meeks and Mister Thompson.

Board members and staff said the transfers are intended to address near-term project and transportation needs; no changes to the educational fund’s overall mission were described at the meeting. The discussion included requests for staff to provide further budget tracking in Committee of the Whole sessions.

The public hearing and the formal vote were the substantive actions the board took on this issue; there were no amendments to the resolution during the meeting and no other formal directions recorded.

School officials said the transfers follow procedures required by school code; the superintendent and finance staff will implement the accounting entries and report on budget impacts at upcoming committee meetings.

The board moved on to other agenda items that evening, including personnel items and routine contracts. The district will report back to the board in Committee of the Whole sessions on budget tracking and project status related to the transferred funds.