Board rejects motion to rescind $410,000 school appropriation; requests itemized accounting from auditors

Supervisors debated whether to rescind a recently approved $410,000 supplemental appropriation for the Northumberland County school division and whether the full amount was required. Chair Tadlock said he believed the schools did not need the full sum and proposed rescinding the prior board action; that motion failed after extended discussion.

The appropriation was originally presented to cover fiscal-year‑end needs the auditors and school division described as “miscellaneous overspending.” Multiple supervisors pressed for an itemized breakdown of the $410,000 and for clearer category-level accounting before releasing the full amount. Supervisor Long and others said UHY, the forensic accounting firm assisting the county, had indicated the school division might return about $280,000, and some supervisors proposed releasing only the immediate funds needed (about $130,000 by UHY’s accounting) and holding the remainder until the board received detailed records.

Several supervisors voiced concern about taxpayer money and the lack of categorical detail. “That’s taxpayer money, and we’re responsible for taxpayer money,” Supervisor Williams said. Other supervisors urged patience and said new school-board personnel merited some trust.

The motion to rescind the prior appropriation failed on a recorded voice vote. The board directed staff to arrange an immediate follow-up meeting with UHY (Jack Regan) and the superintendent; the meeting was scheduled for the next day at 12:00 p.m. and the treasurer was instructed to key the appropriation into the system so checks could be processed unless the board gave other direction.

Supervisors asked UHY and the school division to provide an itemized listing by category and authorization for the entire $410,000 so the board could verify where the funds would be spent before any additional releases.