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Audit & Finance committee presents preliminary forecast, Head Start updates and WSF utilization report
Summary
The committee reviewed the Head Start budget, weighted student funding utilization, procurement items and a preliminary long‑range financial forecast to 2029. Staff said schools have unencumbered funds available and will be asked to propose end‑of‑year strategies.
At the Committee of the Whole meeting Feb. 10, members of the Audit & Finance Committee summarized action items the committee advanced to the board and highlighted several staff reports.
Key points from the committee report
- Head Start budget and reallocation items: Committee members heard a presentation on the Head Start budget and approved reallocation items related to athletics, IT improvements and completion of capital phase work (including a bus lot project on James Island).
- Weighted Student Funding (WSF) utilization: Staff presented a WSF utilization report. Committee members noted that some schools appear to have low current spending, but several trustees and staff clarified that salary encumbrances are not displayed in the reported line items. When salary encumbrances are included across funds, staff said an estimated $3.39 million remained unencumbered and available for reallocation at this point in the year.
- Long‑range financial forecast: The committee reviewed a preliminary forecast through 2029 prepared for the district; staff noted the projection and explained assumptions used to allocate a portion of excess general fund balance across several years to avoid millage increases.
- Procurement: The committee reviewed purchasing contracts above $250,000 and other procurement items.
- Phase 6/community engagement and ED specs: Committee members discussed the capital planning process and community engagement calendar. Staff said community meetings will continue between now and May, and a master plan of proposed projects will be brought to the board in March 2026, with a recommended project list in July 2026. Trustees asked that educational specifications (ED specs) be reviewed for potential changes should state requirements (for example, PE minutes or program standards) change.
Why it matters: the report informs how WSF, capital planning and federal Head Start funds are being monitored and whether the district will reallocate unspent dollars toward higher‑impact strategies before year end.
Next steps: staff will prepare a color‑coded WSF spreadsheet by constituent district and provide additional detail for trustees; community engagement schedules and the phase‑6 list will be updated as months proceed.
