Carroll County Schools present balanced $205 million general fund, low reserve levels noted

Deline Wolf, financial presenter for Carroll County Schools, told the board on June 16 that April general-fund revenues were $14,400,000 and expenditures were $16,700,000, leaving an adjusted ending fund balance of $49,400,000 and $2,500,000 in outstanding encumbrances. She asked the board to consider adopting a balanced general fund budget of $205,000,000 at the scheduled meeting on Thursday, June 19.

The budget matters because it funds classroom instruction, operations and staff pay across the district. Wolf said the draft budget remains largely unchanged from the tentatively adopted version and that public notices were published and the full budget is available on the district website and eBoard.

Wolf told the board that the primary driver of expenditure increases is higher employee benefit costs, accounting for roughly $5,000,000 of the increase, about half of which the state is expected to cover. She estimated the district would close the fiscal year with an ending fund balance near $29,000,000. Wolf also said the district has a lean reserve—less than two months of operating expenses—and that this level is below the Georgia statewide average and below many neighboring districts.

The presentation showed that the general fund supports more than 16,000 students across 23 schools, with 68% of the budget dedicated to direct instruction and 86% of the general fund made up of personnel costs (salaries and benefits). Wolf noted that the board has reduced the millage rate six times in the past 13 years, including the last three consecutive years.

Board members asked how the public could access the budget; Wolf said it is posted on the district website under the business department and on eBoard. The board scheduled a public hearing and possible adoption on Thursday, June 19.

No formal vote on adoption occurred during the June 16 meeting; the presentation was a preparatory step in the statutory budget-adoption process.