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Montgomery County Schools present September budget amendments reallocating millions across programs
Summary
Chief Financial Officer Jeff Taylor outlined September budget amendments that reallocate state, federal and grant funds across pre-K, security, special education, technology and other functions; board members asked for clarification about fund balance and prior cuts.
Chief Financial Officer Jeff Taylor told the Montgomery County School System board on Oct. 25 that the district is proposing a set of September budget amendments to recognize new state and grant revenues and to reallocate carryover funds across instructional and support functions.
Taylor said the district will record an additional $277,862 for the Pre-K entitlement grant, $833,842 for a public school security grant and $22,820 for the United Way "Raise Your Hand" grant. He also reported a $276,000 deduction for an ISM carryover and roughly $110,008 in impact aid; the district also received about $14,000 in opioid settlement funds, Taylor said.
The amendments move money among functions and adjust the district—s fund balance. "We're just increasing the reserves for career ladder by $7,419 and adjusting the fund balance by $13,700,000," Taylor said, describing transfers into instruction, special education and other lines.
Why it matters: the amendments reflect both one-time grant receipts and administrative reallocations that change how the district funds positions, contracted services, supplies and equipment for programs including Pre-K, career ladder stipends and teacher residency supports.
Taylor described several sizable reallocations and adjustments: a $3,150,000 shift related to special education funding and position changes; an estimated $4,400,000 move tied to ISM carryforward into vocational-education-related lines and technology; and a $120,000 reduction in appropriations tied to an adult literacy program that is transitioning to an outside provider.
Taylor outlined smaller, specific changes: $4,919 to cover an increase in the annual lease for the district—s postage machine; approximately $20,000 for code-material removal and permits and the purchase of wash machines to maintain OSHA compliance; a $1,200 increase tied to career-ladder voluntary Pre-K; and a $555,890 increase in the nutrition fund—s fund balance.
Transportation saw an increase in fund balance to about $1,589,833, Taylor said, and the district added $25,700 in contracted services for a bus-zone annual tracking service along with a $700 increase to the EBS program, funded by reductions to equipment lines. Federal-project amendments were described as reallocations only, with no new federal funds added.
Board members pressed for context about the district—s reserves. "Tennessee law does require us to have a minimum fund balance or reserve of 3% of annual budgeted expenditures," Anthony Johnson, the chief communications officer speaking in support of the presentation, said when amplifying the discussion of fund balance. He said the district's current fund balance stands at 7.46% of budgeted operating expenditures and called that "healthy" relative to the statutory minimum.
Board member Mr. Mayberry asked for the 3% figure in dollars; Taylor later said 3% of the current budget would be approximately $14,000,000. Board members and staff also discussed that some of the district—s improved fund position in the current year is partly a function of vacant positions that have not yet been filled.
Several board members asked for additional detail; Taylor said he would provide follow-up data on reserves and vacancy effects. No formal action or vote was recorded on the amendments during the work session.
Ending: Taylor asked board members to raise additional questions by email if needed and said more granular backup is available for the proposed reallocations.
