Board reviews year-end budget projections, encumbrances and equipment purchases

District finance and operations staff presented year-end projections and several purchase authorizations at the board meeting.

Finance staff said projected revenue collections for the fiscal year are in the range of $17.2–17.4 million versus an earlier estimate of $16,631,000, driven in part by timing of federal claims and other receipts. The presentation noted encumbered-but-unspent amounts of approximately $5,768,000 and a projected carryover (fund balance) that administration expects to land roughly between $3.8 and $4.0 million after final payrolls run. A board member asked about carryover penalties and administration explained there is a one-year grace and penalties apply only after two consecutive years over threshold.

On purchases, the district presented contracts and purchase orders including a planned Chromebook purchase (about 425 units) to replace aging devices used primarily in carts and for testing; administration said the cost was favorable and would cover approximately 425 Chromebooks. The board also heard that SRO grant funds (approximately $92,000–$93,000 per year over a three-year pilot) are being used for targeted safety upgrades, including specialty locking hardware for designated safe rooms and 360-degree cameras for athletic fields.

Board members approved the encumbrances and purchases on roll-call votes. Administration said it will continue to report final year-end numbers after remaining payrolls and claims are processed.

Next steps: staff will finalize purchases, complete procurements and present final fiscal-year close figures in a subsequent meeting.