Board hears budget projection and approves 2024–25 estimate of needs

Bethany Public Schools administrators presented the district's publication sheet and estimate of needs and walked the board through a multi-year budget outlook.

Staff said the publication sheet lists a maximum spending authority of about $22,911,000 for the general fund and about $2,200,000 available in the building fund based on carryover and anticipated revenues. The presentation noted a prior-year carryover of roughly $6,000,000 and last year's final expenditures of about $18.1 million.

Administrators described plans to prioritize recurring instructional spending (the 1000 series) while trimming one-time purchases that drove last year's higher carryover. The business officer projected $19.5 million in budgeted expenditures for the coming year as a conservative ceiling, with a goal to move toward $17.2 million in a later year by eliminating one-time costs such as textbook purchases and bus roofing projects.

Board members asked about the state carryover limit (discussed as a 17% reference), the treatment of federal/ESSER funds when calculating carryover, and contingency steps if the district remains over the limit. Staff said they do not anticipate exceeding the limit after excluding federal revenue and noted that decisions on modular capital projects will depend on final cost estimates for facilities.

The board moved and approved the 2024–25 estimate of needs on a roll-call vote. Administrators said they will return with cost scenarios and prioritized phasing to align capital requests with available building-fund resources.