City schools finance chief reports steady revenues, reserve above target and bus purchases underway

CSFO Jay Duke presented the Tuscaloosa City Schools November financial statements and told the board most revenue streams are in line with last year’s figures, with sales tax ‘‘up slightly’’ and car-tag tax recording a strong month.

Duke said the district’s reserves remain above the board’s 1.5-month target and that, looking back to Sept. 30, the system finished slightly below a four‑month reserve after a one‑time Advancement Technology Fund infusion. He noted the state legislature is considering changes to that fund and said, ‘‘we got 11,000,000 in this year, and… as the bill is written, it’s 9,000,000,’’ which staff will model in an upcoming work session.

Board members asked about planned capital spending. Duke listed several upcoming expenditures, including replacement of the Woodland Forest roof and the Central High School track resurfacing project, and said 25 buses are currently on order following a larger purchase last year. In response to a question about fleet age, he said roughly 60–70% of the fleet should be newer buses by the end of the fiscal year as older units reach their 10‑year service life.

Duke said staff are also exploring 2–5 special‑education buses and that those vehicles are ‘‘in negotiations’’; he gave a ballpark per‑unit figure but cautioned it was approximate. He explained eligible uses for the Advancement Technology Fund and noted categories such as buses, infrastructure, building improvements and safety equipment.

The board took no separate vote on the report; members thanked Duke before moving to the consent and action items.