Piedmont report: general fund near capacity and district enrollment up about 112 students

Piedmont School Board members received a financial report showing the district's general fund was largely committed and that recent collections and enrollment changes affected the district's outlook.

Finance staff reported the general fund's spent and encumbered total sits at 94%, up 1% from last month but down about 3% from this time last year. Staff said an increase of roughly $1.8 million in estimated needs compared with last year partially explains the percentage change. Collections were reported up by $2,800,000 over last month, including a $438,000 increase in tax collections.

At the fund level, the building fund's encumbered and spent total was reported at 72.9% (up slightly from last month but down 3.7% year over year). Child nutrition encumbered and spent was 6.4% (unchanged), and a child nutrition claim payment increased collections by $112,000. Sinking-fund collections were reported up by $397,000 compared with last month.

Board members asked when taxes on newly built homes are collected; presenters explained tax collections follow occupancy and reassessment and may not appear until the following January after a sale or first occupancy.

In the superintendent's report the district's October 1 count and year-over-year comparison were discussed, with the superintendent stating the district was "up a 112 kids" compared with last January and noting growth pressures tied to mortgage interest-rate changes. No board action was taken on the financial report during the meeting.