Roxbury audit shows constrained near-term budget despite $14.8M fund balance; board approves finance slate

An auditor presented the Roxbury Township School District’s audited financial highlights for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, reporting an overall O/E fund balance of about $14.8 million, most of it restricted to reserves. The auditor said the district held approximately $3.3 million in capital reserve, $1.3 million in maintenance reserve, roughly $657,000 for unemployment compensation, and an unassigned fund balance of about $2.1 million (near the 2% the state allows). The current-year excess surplus was reported as $2.5 million and prior-year excess surplus as $3.5 million; the auditor said about $3.9 million is currently being used in fiscal year 2025–26.

The presentation noted a roughly $300,000 shortfall in local revenue—largely tuition declines from other districts—offset in part by approximately $800,000 in higher state revenue, including about $400,000 in extraordinary aid and nearly $300,000 in homeless tuition reimbursement. The food services enterprise fund ran a deficit (about $280,000 net loss) but showed deliberate spending to reduce excess net cash resources. The auditor flagged ongoing reliance on maintenance and capital reserves and warned that upcoming budget cycles will be tighter, recommending careful monitoring of expenditures in 2025–26.

After the presentation the board moved its finance slate. Board member Carol Schenick made the motion to approve Finance Resolutions 1–17; the motion was seconded by Eddie. The board took roll call; the motion passed. During roll call Schenick disclosed recusals on four purchase orders (26-2212, 26-2343, 26-2179, 26-2214 and 26-2664) and recused on specific travel-request items she named; the remainder of the finance slate passed. The auditor said no corrective action plan was required but offered monitoring recommendations and thanked district financial staff, including a named supervisor, Caitlin, who was acknowledged for her work.

What’s next: the auditor’s message was largely cautionary—district leaders were urged to watch expenditure lines and reserves as they prepare the 2026–27 budget cycle. The board’s approval of the finance slate authorizes the fiscal actions recorded in the meeting minutes; specific purchase orders and travel requests flagged for recusal will proceed without the recused member participating in those votes.