Marshall Public School District reports $1.2 million planned deficit; board approves bills and consent agenda

Sarah, a staff member who presented the treasurer's report, told the Marshall Public School District board the district’s general fund revenues through March were at 64.5% of projected receipts for the fiscal year.

"So basically looking at the current year through March, we're at basically .75% of our fiscal year... we're at 64.5% of what we had estimated we would have received at this point in the year for revenues," Sarah said. She added that the district was "about 10.5% behind on that" but noted upcoming property tax levy payments expected mid-May through June.

The treasurer also compared year-over-year numbers and expenditures. "We will now be seeing property tax levy funds coming in... However, in revenues, we are about $1,500,000 ahead of where we were last year at this time," she said. On expenditures, she reported general fund spending was "9.6% lower than what we were projecting for expenditures" and about $263,000 higher than the same point last year, with food services and transportation running higher than planned.

"You can see that through March... we're about $1,200,000 in a deficit for the year, which again, we were planning for a deficit budget for the year and we're remaining on track for that to continue through the end of the year," Sarah said.

Board action at the meeting included unanimous approval of routine procedural items. The board approved the meeting agenda, the consent agenda (which included prior motions such as advisory-board appointments listed in the consent documents), and the bills for March after motions and seconds were made on the floor.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of agenda — Mover: Sarah Runchy; Second: Sarah Brink; Outcome: approved. - Approval of consent agenda (with correction noted) — Mover: Jeff; Second: Sarah Ruchi; Outcome: approved. - Approval of bills for March — Mover: Jeff; Second: Sarah Brink; Outcome: approved.

No detailed roll-call tallies were read into the public record during the meeting for these motions.

Why it matters: The treasurer's figures will guide the district’s end-of-year budgeting and any decisions about reserves, transfers or program funding. Board members were informed that property tax receipts typically arrive mid-May through June and are expected to narrow the revenue shortfall.

Additional details and context included that the district is tracking slightly higher expenditures in specific operational areas (food services and transportation) and that the current deficit was anticipated in the adopted budget.

The board had no further questions after the treasurer's presentation and moved on to the next agenda items.