Board approves budget amendments as district outlines $15 million loan for major roof, track and parking repairs

The Granville County Board of Education approved budget amendments Wednesday and received detailed briefings on widening capital needs as the district weighs a proposed $15 million loan to fund major repairs, including full roof replacements at J.F. Webb and South Granville high schools.

Miss Hines, the district finance presenter, told the board the month’s budget amendments add $152,819 in state funding — earmarked for summer reading camp and literacy support — and $66,490 in restricted grants and private donations, including funds to rebuild the early‑childhood playground at Tar River Elementary. She also corrected a prior reporting error of $191,004.70 from last month’s packet. The board approved the amendments on a motion during the meeting.

In a longer budget review, Miss Hines said district finances remain on target through March 31 but highlighted an expected decline of roughly $4.9 million in state funds for the year. “Our remaining target, we’re still working towards another $900,000 that we need to reduce in the budget,” she said, and described an overall goal of reducing next year’s budget by about $2.5 million.

Financial presentations included an explanation of how state funding supports positions rather than individual employees; Miss Hines said the district has already reduced approximately $1.6 million and remains focused on protecting school‑level dollars while trimming central‑office costs where possible.

Board members spent substantial time on a proposed $15 million loan intended mainly to cover two full roof replacements — projects Miss Hines and operations staff estimated would each exceed $6 million — together with track resurfacing and completion of a parking‑lot project. Doctor Kern, speaking for operations, said work will include correcting subsurface drainage and related safety hazards. “Each of those projects are over $6,000,000 each,” he said, noting the loan’s bulk would fund those roof projects.

Board members displayed photos of current damage at South Granville — bulging ceiling tiles, water‑stained finishes and areas where temporary buckets have been used to catch leaks — to illustrate the need for full replacement rather than patching. One board member said the district’s patching approach has left multiple areas repeatedly repaired but still unsafe.

Officials emphasized that lottery and state repair funds exist but are limited in scope; Miss Hines and other staff said those sources cannot cover the full scope of the district’s capital backlog. The administration credited county commissioners for partnering on access to loan funding to address immediate safety and facility concerns.

The board did not vote on the loan during the meeting; discussion focused on scope, safety risks posed by deteriorating roofs and tradeoffs required in the budget planning process. Board members asked staff to continue refining cost estimates and timelines.

The meeting packet and the finance presentation identify capital‑outlay spending at 97% for the year, underscoring the tight window for projects. The board will continue budget development work with departmental leaders and HR to finalize reductions and cover required state benefit increases.

The next regular meeting is June 2 at 6 p.m. at Central Office; staff said they will provide updated project estimates and additional financing details for board consideration.