Academy District 20 board approves midyear budget update, preserves roughly 10.9% reserve

The Academy School District No. 20 Board of Education approved a midyear budget update (Resolution 17-26) after a lengthy presentation by Deputy Superintendent Becky Allen explaining revenue shifts, enrollment trends and proposed allocations.

Becky Allen, deputy superintendent and the district’s finance lead, told the board the district’s midyear total appropriation is "just under $700,000,000," and recommended maintaining an unassigned operating reserve in the low double digits; "10.89% is where that would sit," she said. She urged caution given statewide fiscal uncertainty and a possible legislative shortfall expected next year.

The midyear adjustment reflects several year‑to‑date variances: higher interest income (nearly $1 million), unfilled positions (about $7.5 million in underspending because some positions remain vacant), and lower-than-expected spending in other categories (roughly $2.8 million). Allen recommended moving roughly $4.9 million into the district’s capital reserve to fund priority facility projects and reduce reliance on older portables.

Board members asked for and received details about how the capital funds would be used. Allen and staff cited these planned uses: roughly $500,000 for additional bleachers and ADA ramps at Air Academy High School, approximately $1,000,000 to remediate and improve Liberty High School’s softball and baseball fields, a playground replacement at International Elementary School (the PTO has already raised $50,000 for that project), and roughly $400,000 to remove about 12–14 underused portable classrooms (staff said removing portables saves maintenance and future repair costs).

Allen described how state and local revenue changes offset each other: higher local property tax collections in District 20 were partially balanced by a drop in state funding, producing net budgetary pressure despite some one‑time savings.

After discussion, a motion to adopt Resolution 17‑26 passed on a roll‑call vote; Vice President Payne, Director Tripp, Director Waldrop and President Shandy voted "Aye." Board member Derek Wilburn was absent.

The board-approved midyear update does not finalize next year’s budget; the superintendent and finance team said the district will return with the proposed budget for formal approval before the statutory June 30 deadline. The administration said the recommended reserve level aims to protect the district from potential state funding cuts while allowing targeted capital moves this year.