Finance update: projected year-end fund balance; warrants for SPED and maintenance headed to ballot

The district's finance presenter briefed the board on monthly financials, reporting a previously noted remaining expense of $171,970 and an additional encumbrance of $29,806 this month, which the presenter said left a remaining expense figure reported in the meeting as roughly $142,000 and a projected year-end fund balance of $145,685.

The presenter explained one reason for the shift in line items: a paraprofessional was reassigned to a long-term substitute role, increasing the substitute-pay line while reducing the aides' salary line. The presenter said that shift and other unanticipated costs — including legal, maintenance and a change in health insurance for one staff member — affected the month’s spending.

Board members asked clarifying questions about routine service contracts (Mackenzie Heating and Tri State generators) and whether annual certifications or maintenance agreements were required; the finance staff confirmed those are annual services. One board member noted that the staffing moves produced a net savings (the presenter and chair discussed a roughly $6,000 savings attributed to the reassignment).

The chair confirmed two warrant articles on the ballot the next day: up to $50,000 for a special education trust fund and up to $25,000 for maintenance. The board discussed monitoring purchase orders and end-of-year spending and said schools were asked to close purchase orders by a deadline to protect the projected fund balance.

Why it matters: the report outlines the district's short-term fiscal position ahead of warrant voting and year-end accounting and identifies drivers of monthly changes in the budget.

What’s next: finance staff will present updated year-end projections at the next meeting after purchase-order deadlines and additional invoice receipts.