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Audit summary, state‑budget delay and a grant‑writer pitch: board reviews finance brief and food‑service notices
Summary
Business manager presented a brief summary of the 2023–24 audit, a state‑budget delay’s implications, a proposed grant‑writing partnership option, and several food‑service updates including a $550 sale offer for a middle‑school stove and guidance on free/reduced meal recertification.
The Danville Area School District’s business manager reviewed a fiscal update during the Aug. 6 meeting, summarizing the 2023–24 audit, explaining short‑term implications of an unsettled state budget and presenting a proposed shared grant‑writing service the district could contract with through the regional CSIU. The board also received routine food‑service and free/reduced‑meal notices.
Audit and fund status
Mister Mavis, the district business manager, briefed the board on the 2023–24 financial results that will be presented for acceptance at the next regular meeting: revenues of approximately $46.9 million, expenses of approximately $46.0 million and a net operating surplus of $852,969. The district’s bond obligations were cited at about $39.64 million and the general fund balance (including assigned and unassigned) at $11,650,531. The business manager noted the district’s monthly expense run rate is roughly $4 million.
State budget timing and cash‑flow implications
Administrators warned that when the state fails to pass a budget before the fiscal year starts, districts do not receive state aid until passage occurs, creating temporary cash‑flow pressure. Danville’s presenters said the district had no immediate operational impact but that continued delays into the fall and winter could require attention to cash and borrowing; some neighboring districts may need tax‑anticipation notes or state cash advances sooner.
Food service and related notices
- The band boosters offered $550 to purchase an unused 8‑year‑old gas stove from the middle school; proceeds would be deposited in the food‑service account per USDA rules. The board will consider the sale on the next agenda. - The district reminded families that directly certified households should have received notice of free/reduced meal status in July; families who previously qualified by income have a grace period through Oct. 6 and must submit new applications by that date to retain free/reduced status — a USDA requirement.
Grant‑writing proposal
Administrators presented an offer from Total Grant Solutions, a private grant‑writing firm run by a retiring superintendent and a former lobbyist, to identify and write grants on behalf of the district. The Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) has negotiated a per‑student fee and offered to cover 50% of the cost for participating districts; the board was told Danville’s share would be about $8,000 annually after CSIU assistance. The presenters said other districts reported entrees from $250,000 up to $2 million in grant awards after engaging the firm, though no guarantee was offered.
Audit next steps
The business manager noted remaining audit items include the tax‑collector engagement for December 2023 and December 2024 periods and an outstanding PlanCon Part J item from the 2017 project that, when completed, will go to the state for approval. The district expects the 2024–25 audit to begin on‑site in mid‑September with its auditor.
What the board asked staff to do
Trustees asked staff to place the audit acceptance and the stove sale on the consent agenda for the next meeting; they also requested more detail on the Total Grant Solutions agreement and sample deliverables so the board could decide whether the $8,000 buy‑in is likely to produce sufficient returns.
