Bethany Public Schools board approves consent agenda and reports year-end fund balances

The Bethany Public Schools Board on June 9 approved its consent agenda and heard a year-end financial summary showing the district closed the year with a stronger-than-expected position.

Chief Financial Officer Mr. Jasper told trustees that when combining encumbered and expended amounts the district “ended up spending about $17,862,000,” and that federal prior-year revenue collected in July was roughly $120,000 last year and is expected to be closer to $200,000 this year. He said the district’s projected fund balance is approximately $3,911,000 and outlined the state’s carryover calculation that would produce a notional penalty of about $944,000 before exclusions for federal funds.

The board approved the consent agenda — which included minutes, multiple contract and software renewals, and two out-of-state student trips — following a motion and roll-call vote. Trustees also approved routine activity-fund subaccount changes, the transfer of the Class of 2026 activity-account balance into the high school account, updated hourly extra-duty rates for FY27 and financial reports for the period.

Board members briefly discussed the senior trip to Branson next year and staff reported that the district’s trip scheduling changes this year helped avoid conflicts with girls soccer postseason play. The board moved on after expressing support for continued student travel and activities.

The board did not identify any follow-up tasks tied specifically to the consent items; routine procurement and contracting items will proceed under existing administrative authority.