School board approves second-quarter financial report; fundraising sought to send Special Olympics athletes to state event

The Newcastle School Board approved its second-quarter financial report on Feb. 5, and members spent much of the meeting discussing the district’s revenue outlook and whether funds exist to support extracurricular travel, including Special Olympics participation.

Angie summarized the second-quarter figures and told the board that revenues come from state foundation payments, county tax receipts and interest. She noted outstanding food-service reimbursements and explained the composition of various funds, including the major maintenance fund and recreation district receipts. “Everything looks on track,” she said, while flagging election expenses and upcoming reimbursements tied to grants and national certification payments.

Board members raised the broader fiscal backdrop: a recent federal executive order that would have cut some federal funding was stayed by courts, and board members said they were watching legislative and legal developments closely. Superintendent Brad Lacroix told the board the next 60 days will be crucial for budgeting and staffing decisions as legislative uncertainty and local enrollment pressures both may affect the general fund.

The board then considered Special Olympics participation. District staff and volunteers said they currently lacked guaranteed budgeted funds to send students to the state-level Special Olympics in Jackson. An estimate discussed during the meeting put the likely cost for a team trip at roughly $12,000–$13,000 for five students; that figure was discussed by board members but the district did not allocate those funds during the meeting.

Board members and community leaders offered to cover costs or help raise funds. “If there’s any doubts… we can find the money to get our Special Olympic kids to wherever they need to go this year,” local business owner Sean Crabtree said, and he and partners pledged to help. Other board members volunteered to contact local businesses and donors. The board directed staff to continue fundraising outreach and to keep registration open while they seek contributions; no formal appropriation was made at the meeting.

The board also approved the consent agenda and formally adopted the second-quarter financial report by voice vote. During discussion members emphasized the district’s staffing and program risks tied to uncertain state and federal funding and growing kindergarten class sizes.

The board asked administration to provide contact lists of potential donors and to follow up on registration and fundraising for Special Olympics participation, and several local business leaders and volunteers offered immediate support.

The board’s recorded vote on the financial report was by voice; a roll-call tally was not recorded in the transcript.