Carroll County Schools board reviews financial reports, accepts SPLOST validation and approves budget amendment

The Carroll County Board of Education reviewed financial reports and audited statements and took three formal votes during its April 14 work session.

Finance director Lane Wolf presented the February financial report, reporting month-to-date revenue of $13.2 million and expenditures of $15.5 million, and a fund balance of $50.7 million with $2.5 million in encumbrances. Receipts for the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) were reported at $1.8 million, a 5.1% increase year over year, with expenditures of $1.9 million and a project balance of $6.4 million.

Wolf said the district received a four-star financial efficiency rating for fiscal year 2024 from the Governor27s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA), a measure that compares academic performance with per-learner spending. Wolf also summarized updates to the fiscal year 2025 budget reflecting a state midterm amendment and a statewide cap on the local 5-mill share that resulted in a $2.4 million net increase; the district recommended one-time facility and equipment investments tied to that adjustment.

Wolf outlined the FY26 planning timeline: the district is awaiting a preliminary state allotment sheet and a preliminary tax digest, and expects tentative budget adoption at the May meeting followed by final adoption in June. She said the district will hold two public meetings before final adoption and invited board members to meet individually for more detailed briefings.

Wolf also presented the audited financial statements for the year ending June 30, 2024. "The district received a clean opinion on our financial statements, and there were no adjustments and there were no findings," Wolf said. The single-audit for major federal programs, which included the special education cluster and Title I, also produced clean opinions with no findings.

Votes at a glance

- SPLOST validation resolution: Motion to accept the draft resolution validating the March SPLOST election was made by Mr. Turner and seconded by Ms. Lawanna. The board approved the resolution by voice and by hand vote; the chair reported the motion carried with all present voting in favor.

- FY25 second budget amendment: The board voted to approve the second budget amendment for the year as presented by Lane Wolf. The motion was made by Ms. Sandra and seconded by Dr. Brooks; the board approved the amendment with all members present voting in favor.

- Personnel actions: After an executive session, the board voted to approve personnel actions as presented by the superintendent. A board member moved and another seconded; the board approved the personnel actions by voice vote.

Board members asked clarifying questions about the possible impact of changes in federal funding on nutrition and special-education programs; Wolf said no federal cuts had been communicated to the district at that time. Members also asked for teacher-to-pupil ratios broken out by school; Wolf and staff agreed to provide those figures for the April 17 board meeting.

The work session discussion on budgets and audits preceded the board27s request to meet in executive session to discuss real estate acquisition, safety and security, personnel, and pending or threatened litigation.