Maury County schools report $2.4 million surplus in Fund 141; board moves multiple budget amendments to consent

The Maury County Board of Education work session on Aug. (date not specified) heard final June 2025 financials showing a $2.4 million surplus in Fund 141 and staff recommended moving several carryover budget amendments to the consent agenda at the next voting meeting.

District finance staff reported that, after carryover and recent approvals, operational positions are at a slight deficit but the district remains “comfortable” with its fund balance. The report noted carryover amendments of about $3.3 million from the prior year and an additional $1 million related to a recently approved septic project. Staff also said $1.4 million in carryover will be posted at tonight’s meeting.

The district reported strong revenue performance: sales tax receipts totaled $30,360,000 — described in the presentation as the highest amount in Maury County Public School history and about $686,000 above projections. Staff said property-tax revenue goals were also met. On expenditures, staff attributed underspending to conservative budgeting, vacancies and projects still in progress.

Staff reviewed other funds: the capital fund (Fund 177) showed a “massive deficit” driven by borrowed proceeds that are recognized when the district borrows for school projects; staff said much of that spending carried forward into the current year following completion of Battle Creek High School and other projects. Fund 143 closed at a slight deficit of about $362,000 after capital purchases, and staff said they remain comfortable with the fund balance there.

Board member questions focused on the cafeteria fund and overall unrestricted fund balance. Finance staff said the cafeteria fund (reported as the “cafeteria fund” in the materials) had a total fund balance of $4,857,616 with open purchase orders of about $1,058,000, leaving a conservative available balance of roughly $3,000,799 if no additional revenue is received. For overall district funds, staff reported an ending fund balance of about $22,000,175.05, open purchase orders near $6.8 million, and an unrestricted balance of approximately $13,205,774.62. Staff indicated those amounts put the district in compliance with its 3% test.

Staff presented a set of budget amendments tied to carryover funds and specific projects, including re-budgeting proceeds from a government sale, a TCAT-related item, Project RAISE, a JRM scholarship, and textbook carryovers that were ordered late and thus must be booked in the new fiscal year. After discussion, the board indicated agreement and staff said they would place all listed budget amendments on the consent agenda for the upcoming voting meeting.

Staff also noted a placeholder on the voting agenda for a State Improvement Grant (SIG) carryover for Cox Middle School and the Virtual Academy; staff said an amendment and supporting materials would be attached before the voting meeting.

Board members and staff did not take a formal roll-call vote at the work session; staff said the items would move to consent for the formal voting meeting.