EBR School Board hears midyear budget update; child nutrition shows $2.1 million deficit awaiting USDA reimbursement
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Summary
Finance staff told the board the district's general fund shows mixed revenue shifts and operations savings; the child nutrition program reported a $2.1 million December deficit but managers expect an average USDA reimbursement of about $2.7 million.
The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board heard a midyear financial briefing that highlighted revenue shifts after the end of ESSER funding and operational adjustments intended to hold expenditures near target.
Miss Lopez presented December 2024-to-December 2025 comparisons and a review against the proposed budget. Key figures cited included sales-tax revenue up roughly 17 percent year-over-year, other local revenue down about 48 percent (timed Medicaid reimbursement), and federal revenues down approximately 55 percent as ESSER funding ended. The district's MFP (Minimum Foundation Program) revenue was noted slightly down at 1.9 percent, consistent with modest enrollment declines.
On expenditures, Miss Lopez reported overall salary spending down about 7 percent after organizational realignment, benefits up slightly, professional services increasing (about 28 percent in the general fund as previously contracted services returned to the general fund), and property services climbing after campus repairs. The district elected to lease buses rather than purchase them, which reduced property outlays.
The child nutrition program was a focal point. Miss Lopez reported the program was operating at a $2,100,000 deficit as of December 2025 but noted that December USDA reimbursements—historically averaging about $2,700,000—had not yet been received. Child Nutrition staffing was reduced from 511 employees to 425, with salaries down roughly 13 percent and a shift from contracted professional services to in-house operations and repair cycles. Board members praised the Child Nutrition director (referred to in the meeting as Miss Hill, previously referenced as Miss McKnight) for accelerating recovery work that was projected to take several years.
Board members discussed contract decisions and which external services had been retained. Mister Goday and Superintendent Cole both commended the fiscal direction and savings from restructuring.
Why this matters: revenue composition shifts and the end of ESSER funds are changing the district's midyear outlook; the child nutrition program's near-term deficit hinges on routine federal reimbursements and the program's increased participation rates.
The board had no final policy vote tied to these figures during the meeting but directed staff to continue monitoring and reporting budget progress.
