Asheville City Schools board approves year‑end budget amendments and authorizes interim appropriations

The Asheville City Schools Board of Education approved a fiscal year‑end budget resolution and amendments and voted to authorize interim appropriations to keep the district operating while a state budget remains unsettled.

Heidi, presenting the budget amendment and expenditure report, said the packet was moved earlier than usual because of scheduling conflicts and noted that several funds — including federal grants and capital funds — are treated separately from the district’s local fund balance. "We will be moving things around ... expanding that down to as close to 0 as possible with the parameters we're given by the state," Heidi said, explaining rollover encumbrances for summer maintenance projects and that final accounting entries will continue into July and August.

Board members pressed for clarification about a grand total shown in the report and how that figure relates to the general fund balance. Heidi walked members through which funds hold unrestricted balances, how federal grant funds carry over, and why fund 4 (capital) is separate from operational fund balance.

Speaker 2 moved that the board approve the budget resolution and amendments; the motion carried by voice vote. Later, with the state legislature still working on a budget, Speaker 2 moved and the board approved a second motion authorizing interim appropriations for FY 2025–26 "for the purpose of paying salaries and other ordinary expenses" until a formal 2025–26 budget resolution is adopted.

The board chair said the district will aim to schedule future year‑end closeouts as close to June 30 as possible so the packet presents a more complete picture. The board approved both measures without recorded opposition.

Next steps: staff will continue closeout entries through July and August and return to the board with a finalized fund‑balance position when audits and entries are complete.