West Bath School Board reviews preliminary budget figures, flags audit adjustments

The West Bath School Board received an interim financial report at its Aug. 21 meeting, with the superintendent saying the district’s preliminary books show 1.7% of the budget unexpended — roughly $75,000 — and about $25,000 proposed for carryforward, leaving approximately $50,000 uncommitted pending audit adjustments.

The superintendent told the board that "with 83% of the fiscal year remaining, 91% of the budget remains there are no areas of concern at this time" but emphasized the numbers are preliminary. She explained that the audit will require staff to move some payments between fiscal years, which could change the bottom-line totals reported now.

Board members and the finance committee reviewed recent payroll and accounts-payable activity. A finance committee member summarized recent reviews of payroll and AP on several dates leading into the fiscal update. The superintendent confirmed the district finished the prior year on paper with about $75,000 unexpended and that $25,000 was set aside as proposed carryforward; "that 50,000 not for sure yet," she said, noting the final audit may alter those amounts.

The superintendent also reported there were no immediate budgetary areas of concern and that routine audit timing (a statewide issue) is the primary factor affecting final figures. She told members the district had worked "by the skin of our team all of last year" and that some adjustments across accounts could draw down the preliminary remaining balance.

Looking ahead, the board will receive the completed audit when available and is expected to reconfirm carryforward and any required bookkeeping adjustments at that time.