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JPS board adopts amended FY24–25 budget; administration says increase reflects final allocations, not new funds
Summary
The board adopted a final amended FY24–25 budget that administration said increases reported expenditures by about 48.6 (as presented), mainly reflecting finalized construction, ESSER-related investments, limited-tax note decisions and adjustments to noninstructional contracts; board members pressed staff to spend budgeted program dollars for athletics and JROTC.
The Jackson Public School District board approved a final amended budget for fiscal year 2024–25 during the meeting.
Margaret Purnell, executive director of business services, presented the amendment and cited Mississippi Code 37-61-21 for the requirement to present final revised budgets for incorporation into the minutes and submission to the Mississippi Department of Education. Purnell said the final amendment increased total reported expenditures by roughly 48.6 (figures presented by administration) and stressed that the increase was "not due to new or additional funding, but rather the funds that were available but not clearly allocated for budgetary purposes." She attributed much of the change to finalization of construction projects, ESSER-related student support and facilities investments, decisions about limited-tax notes and an increase tied to the district's First Student contract (presented as approximately $6 million).
Purnell gave a fund-by-fund review, noting prior-period adjustments, changes in investment income and small decreases in tuition and collections. Board members asked several clarifying questions about apparent reductions or underspending in line items such as athletics, JROTC and Partners in Ed. One board member thanked staff for the context but urged administrators to ensure budgeted program dollars are spent on student activities rather than left unspent. District staff explained that timing (late hiring, later program starts) and assumptions about start dates can produce underspending in one fiscal year that will appear in subsequent periods. Staff also cited the implementation of a new ERP system as increasing the district’s financial visibility and said they will provide more contextual detail in future budget presentations.
A motion to approve the amended FY24–25 budget (item e) was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote with no nays recorded on the public transcript. The board then approved related consent agenda items for finance, general and personnel. The transcript does not include contract dollar totals or a line-by-line adoptive schedule; district staff said more context will be provided in later budget presentations.
