Caswell County Board of Education approves budget amendments to shore up after-school care, child nutrition and civic center operations

The Caswell County Board of Education voted to approve multiple budget amendments and routine items at its June meeting, including transfers to cover a shortfall in before- and after-school care, a $60,000 appropriation for child nutrition, accounting entries for the annual bus lease and smaller transfers to cover charter-school expense codes. The board also discussed operational losses at the Civic Center and clarified early-release dismissal-time language for the district calendar.

Board members approved a resolution honoring Naomi Heath Slaughter, and the board recognized the service of Austin Morris, identified in the meeting as the district HR director, on his final day.

Why it matters: Board approvals change how district funds are allocated for operations and services used by families — including before/after-school care and school meals — and the Civic Center's ongoing deficit has implications for local fund balance and future fee decisions.

Most immediate decisions

- The board approved "budget amendment number 7," a transfer of roughly $5,000 to cover a shortfall in before- and after-school care payroll and benefit costs. Staff said the June payroll (processed June 18) pushed the program temporarily into the red and that benefit costs (including a roughly 24% retirement contribution mentioned in discussion) are a major factor.

- The board approved an appropriation of $60,000 for child nutrition (referenced as budget amendment number 11). Staff and board members discussed that reimbursable meal counts — which drive federal/state reimbursement — vary by school, and that increasing the number of qualifying meals served would improve meal-program revenue. Board members asked staff to review menus, staffing at each site, and other steps to increase reimbursable participation and reduce…