Business manager reports steady budget performance; food‑service fund to spend down surplus with equipment and furniture purchases

Jason, the district business official, told the board the district’s general fund is tracking near expectations through January: roughly 46% of general‑fund revenue received and about 48% of budgeted spending expended, comparable with last year. He reported the capital/building fund contains proceeds from a bond sale (about $7,000,000 received in June), and the district has spent roughly $1,200,000 of that amount to date on projects.

Jason said the food‑service fund showed lower revenue timing for January (about 40% of revenue recorded versus ~48% last year) because a reimbursement posted in early February. On the expense side, food service has spent about 54% of its budget compared with 45% in the prior year; staff said they are accelerating planned purchases and expect to reflect those in a revised budget.

Board members and staff discussed the food‑service fund balance and required spenddown. The business official said the fund grew during COVID and finished the prior fiscal year near $1.7 million; state guidance allows roughly a three‑month reserve (about $650,000) and the district must submit a spending plan to reduce the balance. Jason and other staff outlined proposed purchases to spend down the excess: kitchen equipment, furniture for cafeterias, and other allowable program investments. The board was told furniture bids came in below expectations and that equipment replacement and vendor consultation are underway; staff said many of those purchases will be executed this fiscal year with installations expected over the summer.

Jason said the administration has begun the revised budget process for the current year and will bring a revised budget for board approval (planned at the second meeting in April). Preparation for the fiscal 2026 budget is underway with a first reading expected in May and a final vote in June.

Other operational items discussed by committee chairs included technology projects and procurement plans: the technology committee is collecting quotes for a district‑wide camera and access overhaul (quotes reported in a wide range, roughly $250,000 to $600,000 for comprehensive surveillance and door‑access systems) and the district has issued an RFP to replace leased/owned copiers with a managed lease that includes secure‑print software. Staff also noted a migration from Microsoft to Google for email and certain services scheduled in March and continued review of lines‑of‑business applications the district uses that are being sunset by vendors.

No board action was taken on the capital, food service or technology items at this meeting; staff will return with more detailed budget numbers and a community‑ed program breakdown next month.