Audit shows stable fund balances; district applied for property tax relief grant and sets 2025–26 registration discounts

Auditor Don Shaw of Lauderback and Amon presented the 2024 audit and reported a clean, unmodified opinion to the board, saying the firm “found no issues with internal controls or the numbers that they present.” The audit narrative shows a net increase of about $549,000 in the general fund (education, operations & maintenance, tort and working cash) and an ending general fund balance of $9.9 million. District-wide ending fund balance was reported as $18.2 million.

District business staff told the board the district received bond revenue from a Dec. 20 bond sale; the working cash fund balance rose as a result and will be drawn down as capital work proceeds. The administration also reported that the district applied for the 2024–25 Property Tax Relief Grant; staff said the application would generate $1,843,000 in tax abatements for levy years 2024 and 2025 and would add $1,167,479 annually to the district’s evidence-based funding base if awarded.

The board approved the district’s 2025–26 registration fee schedule (fees remain at prior-year levels) and a 50% early-registration discount for families who register between March 3 and March 30, 2025. Fees listed in the meeting: early childhood $20 ($10 early registration), kindergarten $50 ($25 early), grades 1–5 $130 ($65 early), grades 6–8 $140 ($70 early).

Board members asked about audit details and bond spending timelines; the auditor and business director pointed the board to the management discussion and analysis and to budgetary notes in the audit report for further detail.