Board reviews October finances; administrator explains state 'short tax' makeup

During its regular meeting, Sheridan County School District #3 trustees reviewed the district’s October 2020 financial report.

An administrator reported general fund expenditures for October of $270,541.75 and provided a line‑by‑line breakdown: instructional expenditures of $157,683.69; administration spending of $49,911.66; maintenance costs around $21,593; transportation payroll and fuel expenses; and wellness spending of about $200 for the month. For the fiscal year to date the presenter reported $1,003,544.97 in revenue and monthly revenue of $383,598.32.

The presenter explained a state guarantee mechanism called the 'short tax' makeup, which compensates districts when local taxes are not fully collected. The district’s short‑tax makeup for the period was reported as $35,555.61; the presenter described it as a recurring bookkeeping/process in which the state makes up local tax shortfalls so districts meet foundation guarantees.

Board members asked clarifying questions about pie chart discrepancies in reports and were told staff will reconcile spreadsheet numbers and correct the display in future reports. Other funds reported included a lunch fund balance (~$10,182.45), major maintenance expenses ($11,505 this month) and capital construction (no expenses this past month; about 82.24% of that fund remains).

The discussion was informational; trustees did not take additional fiscal action at the meeting but requested follow‑up clarifications on reporting and the spreadsheet numbers.