Monroe County board approves budget amendments, asks for monthly fund-balance breakdown

The Monroe County School Board approved proposed budget amendments after a brief discussion and a voice vote.

A board member asked the board to clarify numbers in the district’s December financial report, noting that projected revenues in May had been $58.8 million but the December report shows $61.1 million — an increase of about $2.3 million — and that budgeted expenditures rose from $65.4 million to roughly $66.5 million. The member also highlighted an apparent discrepancy between a projected beginning fund balance of about $20.1 million and the figure currently reported as roughly $13.5 million, asking, “Where’s the difference?” and requesting a clear reconciliation of how the figures were derived.

The chair requested staff to follow up and said the questions would be referred to finance staff for public answers. The board member asked that the district provide the requested report at every meeting going forward so trustees can see year-to-date actual revenues, expenditures and fund-balance movements.

A motion to approve the budget amendments was made and seconded; the board carried the motion by voice vote. The record does not include a roll-call tally for this motion.

The discussion illustrated trustees’ interest in greater regular financial transparency as they consider one-off expenditures such as employee bonuses and capital projects.

The board also approved other routine agenda items, including committee appointments and minutes, during the same meeting.

The board asked staff to provide a monthly reconciliation showing (at minimum) the prior-year actuals, current-year actuals, the beginning fund balance projected for 2025–26 and the current reported fund balance so trustees and the public can see how year-to-date activity and any amendments have changed those figures.