At its July board meeting the school board approved the district's 2024-25 budget amendment No. 2 and heard a detailed review of district financial reports and a delayed generator project that the district moved into a special depreciation account.

The board voted 5-0 with two members absent to adopt the amendment. Amanda, who presented the financial reports, summarized revenue and expenditure changes and explained a $200,000 transfer into Fund 30 (special depreciation) to cover remaining generator costs.

The amendment adjusts several fund balances and departmental budgets to actuals and anticipated costs. Amanda said the special depreciation transfer was made "to cover the cost of the final things related to the generator," and that the district expects $50,000 to $75,000 to remain in that reserve after project costs are finalized.

Why it matters: the amendment updates the district's books to reflect end-of-year expenditures, federal grant allocations and a large facilities expense. The generator work required moving funds and accounting changes that affect reserves and available cash.

The district finance presentation included these notable budget adjustments: general fund revenue revised from $5,500,000 to $6,500,000; special revenue (fund 22) from $1,500,000 to $1,700,000; and Fund 30 (special depreciation) revenue revised from about $25,000 to $208,000 to reflect project-related movement. Amanda also reported food service revenue rising from $239,000 to $287,000 and the preschool fund dropping from $10,040 to $3,000 because of lower afternoon enrollment.

Board members asked whether the generator ultimately cost more or less than anticipated. Amanda said she expects the final cost to be lower than worst-case figures but could not provide a final amount until the project is complete; she promised a post-completion cost analysis for the board. She described complications early in the project, including a vendor bankruptcy that required the district and the bond company to reallocate payments and coordinate multiple contractors. Amanda said some payments were handled through the bond company and the district still expects payments to certain vendors (including a switch vendor identified as TWE) when the work is finalized.

Board discussion also covered end-of-year transportation overtime and field-trip costs that pushed route expenditures about $16,000 over budget. Amanda and the superintendent said transportation staffing levels and unplanned late-year trips produced overtime and towing costs that contributed to the overrun; she recommended earlier planning of experiential trips so costs can be budgeted.

Formal action recorded: the board approved budget amendment No. 2 by a 5-0 vote with two absent. The motion maker and seconder were recorded in the meeting minutes. Amanda said she will provide a final generator cost summary to the board when the project is complete.

Less critical details: the finance presentation also previewed changes to monthly reports so the board can see condensed profit-and-loss statements and clearer revenue reporting by fund; Amanda said she is working with the district's accounting software vendor to shorten some 19-page revenue reports.