Bibb County Schools report $5.5 million midyear budget discrepancy; administration to seek amendment

Bibb County Schools’ finance chief told the school board that internal reviews uncovered a $5.5 million midyear budget discrepancy and that the administration will present a budget amendment at an upcoming board meeting to correct the records.

CFO Eric Bush said the shortfall stems mainly from omitted extra-duty pay for transportation staff, unbudgeted positions connected to the district’s new Innovation Academy and athletic-event costs — including campus police security overtime, additional custodial work and coaching supplements. "We own that," Bush said, and summarized the items as "a combined discrepancy total $5,500,000."

Why it matters: The adjustment affects the district’s midyear accounting and requires the board to consider a formal budget amendment. Administration officials said the amendment will reconcile previously reported figures and that, after the correction, the district expects to maintain a healthy fund balance.

Details from the presentation: Bush identified three primary categories of omission. He reported about $2,435,000 in unrecorded extra-duty pay for…