Cullman County Schools board approves $140 million 2025–26 budget; several consent items pass

The Cullman County Schools Board of Education approved the district's final 2025–26 budget during its Sept. 11 meeting following a public hearing and a presentation of updated revenue and expenditure figures.

Miss Barriman, who presented the budget to the board, said, “This is our final budget hearing. It's number 2. So I'm not gonna go into as much detail on this one. I'll probably kinda hit the high point and just tell you some of the things I've changed since the last budget hearing.”

The board-approved budget covers all funding sources — general, special revenue, capital projects and debt service — and was described in the meeting as about $140,000,000 in total budgeted revenues. Barriman said total state foundation funds increased by about $159,000 this year and that the district's overall foundation program rose by roughly $1.4 million, most of which she attributed to the district’s matching (local) share. She also explained that many state increases are earmarked for specific programs, including expanded preschool and additional math and reading coaches.

“Units went down about 3.6,” Barriman said, describing changes in teaching units tied to average daily membership. She also detailed program allocations: “We now have 12 reading coaches compared to 11 last year and 8 math coaches compared to 1 last year and 18 OSR pre ks compared to 13 last year.”

The presentation listed several revenue and spending details the board reviewed: an increase in local revenue driven by ad valorem and sales tax, budgeting of half‑cent sales tax at $6,100,000 (with roughly 60% directed to instruction and technology), A&T funds of about $10,600,000 earmarked largely for capital projects and bus purchases, and federal Title I/II/IV allocations recently finalized and added to the budget.

Board members moved through multiple consent and routine agenda items by voice vote after the budget vote, approving minutes from the Aug. 14 meeting; personnel items; school requests (items 10–22); academic and athletic supplements (items 23–24); financial items (item 25–26); maintenance items (item 27); the capital plan (item 29); adoption committee appointments (item 30); out‑of‑state field trips (item 31); the Cullman County Education Association leave arrangement (item 32); and federal program applications for 2025–26 (item 33). Each item was presented as a recommendation by Dr. Barnett and approved by voice vote.

Votes at a glance - Approval of the 2025–26 budget (item 1): Recommendation made by Dr. Barnett; motion moved and seconded; motion passed by voice vote. - Approval of Aug. 14 minutes (item 2): Passed by voice vote. - Personnel items (items 3–9): Passed by voice vote. - School requests (items 10–22): Passed by voice vote. - Academic and athletic supplements (items 23–24): Passed by voice vote. - Financial items (items 25–26): Passed by voice vote. - Maintenance items (item 27): Passed by voice vote. - Capital plan (item 29): Passed by voice vote. - Textbook adoption committee for 6–12 social studies (item 30): Passed by voice vote. - Out‑of‑state field trips (item 31): Passed by voice vote. - Cullman County Education Association leave arrangement (item 32): Passed by voice vote; substitutes to be paid by the association for the leave. - Federal program applications (item 33): Passed by voice vote.

Board members and staff said the budget keeps a multi‑month fund balance; Barriman estimated the general fund would end the year with about a 3‑month (roughly 91‑day) balance. She also emphasized that several revenue increases are restricted to specified uses and are not available for general spending.

The board set its next regular meeting for Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, with a 3:30 p.m. work session scheduled beforehand.