Carmel board approves end-of-year transfer authority despite trustee objections

The Board of Education voted to authorize the business office to make end-of-year budget transfers exceeding $10,000 without prior board approval for the narrow purpose of closing the 2025–26 books, a routine annual motion administrators said auditors expect.

Trustee Jim Wise objected to the blanket authority and urged greater transparency: "I would be very reluctant to make a blanket approval of such transfers," he said, referencing past concerns about oversight on midyear purchases. Administrator responses noted that hundreds of end-of-year transfers are processed to zero out budget lines and that auditors and internal controls govern the activity.

The assistant superintendent for business said the transfers are a typical annual housekeeping process and estimated most adjustments under this authority would total less than $1,000 across many lines, with the authorization used to reconcile hundreds of lines at fiscal year-end. The superintendent and administration promised no large purchases would be made without board knowledge.

On the roll call vote, the motion passed with a majority in favor and Trustee Wise recorded as a No vote. Board members emphasized the motion is intended to allow the business office to close the books in coordination with auditors, not to remove oversight from large procurements.

Separately, the board accepted the results of the May 19 budget vote and board election (a ballot that included what trustees described as a historic tax-levy reduction), approved multiple personnel recommendations, bid awards and several transfers from the unused capital fund to complete projects including a high-school staircase and air-conditioning work.

Trustee Curzio thanked voters and praised the community for turnout and for supporting a levy action that trustees characterized as a significant tax cut.