Board accepts 2022–23 audit; district reports ESSER spending on capital projects

The Eagle Point School District 9 board voted to accept the 2022–23 financial statements and independent auditor's report at its Jan. 24 meeting. Board members recorded yes votes during a roll call and the motion carried.

Mr. Hogan summarized the audit and district finances, reporting that the auditors issued an unmodified opinion and that the district has been closely monitoring grant expenditures. He said ESSER funds over the past three years totaled about $14 million and were spent primarily on capital improvements — for example, a six-classroom addition at Table Rock and HVAC work at the high school — rather than ongoing staffing. Hogan also noted that salaries and benefits are tracking at roughly 98 percent of the adopted budget and that the district has purchased two new buses as part of recent capital outlays.

Hogan and trustees also discussed summer school funding: the main state summer school grant was not funded by the legislature last year, so the district ran a large summer program with district funds in anticipation of possible reimbursement that did not materialize. District food service revenues and grants were noted as material line items (roughly $2.3 million a year). Trustees asked clarifying questions about capital versus operating spending and deferred maintenance priorities, including roofs and long-term projects that the available building funds cannot fully cover.

Outcome: By roll-call vote the board approved acceptance of the audit and directed continued monitoring of general-fund balances and capital needs as staff present budget and maintenance options.