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Burke County schools report stronger midyear finances after long‑standing capital restriction is lifted
Summary
Burke County Public Schools officials told commissioners midyear revenues are stronger than projected but federal COVID relief funds have expired; special legislation that previously restricted school capital funds was rescinded and county leaders say that change freed millions for operational use.
At a February pre‑agenda meeting, Keith Lawson, finance officer for Burke County Public Schools, told the Burke County Board of Commissioners the district’s midyear financials show some improved revenue performance even as federal COVID relief funding expired.
Lawson said year‑to‑date state revenues were up about 4.5% compared with the prior year while federal revenues fell 57.1% after Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds ended. "Year to year, midyear results were up 4 and a half percent," Lawson said.
The shift matters because the ESSER funds had supported one‑time and short‑term costs during the pandemic; Lawson said the district is now back to historical federal spending levels and does not have recurring commitments tied to those funds. He reported special revenue funds rose substantially, driven by programs such as Medicaid reimbursements for exceptional children and another round of GEAR UP federal funds that support college exposure programs for middle and high school students.
County Manager Brian Eppley explained a separate, longer‑running fiscal change that has affected the district’s cash posture. He said special sales‑tax legislation enacted in the 1980s had effectively restricted roughly $37.5 million of county capital dollars to school capital accounts; that restriction was addressed recently through local action and legislative changes. "We worked with local legislators to rescind that legislation that was passed more than 40 years ago, freeing up that capital side," Eppley said. He told commissioners the change returned decision‑making to local officials and allowed some capital funds to be used for operational priorities where warranted.
Lawson also reported local fund balance usage through midyear of $343,114, with a budgeted fund balance draw of $489,000 for the full year. He told commissioners the school system is operating at near full employment after staffing shortfalls during COVID, and that certified pay supplements that were restored in the prior year have increased recurring personnel costs.
Commissioners asked about per‑pupil funding and county ranking; Lawson and Eppley said recent actions increased local support and improved Burke County’s position compared with prior years, but they did not provide a single updated statewide rank. Eppley said classroom size and teacher supplements have been board priorities and that infusion of previously restricted capital helped shore up operational funding in prior budgets.
The school financial report remained on the regular meeting agenda for the February business meeting.
