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School trustees approve 2024–25 elementary and high‑school budgets and trustees lists
Summary
Trustees reviewed fund‑by‑fund budget details — including a $1.9 million general fund, a $140,000 bus purchase, 70 new Chromebooks and a $33,000 student‑activity balance — and unanimously approved the trustees lists and both school budgets. Next meeting: Sept. 9.
The school trustees reviewed detailed budgets for the elementary and high schools and unanimously approved trustees lists and both school budgets during a special meeting.
Presenter (staff member) walked trustees through each fund, saying the district’s combined general fund is about $1.9 million and that 86% of elementary general fund spending and about 81% of high school general fund spending went to salaries and benefits. “This year, we purchased 1 school bus for $140,000,” the Presenter said, noting the cost was split between two districts. She also said the technology fund bought 70 Chromebooks this year for about $27,000, split between the high school and elementary.
Why it matters: the Presenter said a $93,000 increase from the STARS Act (a state educator‑quality payment) helped the budget and will partially address school food funding pressures. The Presenter said the school food program ran about $72,000 this year and that roughly $71,000 of that went to wages, with remaining costs for food and supplies.
Trustees asked about long‑standing balances in extracurricular accounts. One trustee raised that the student activity fund showed about $33,000 sitting in the account for several years while students continued to fundraise. The Presenter said the activity account’s group sponsor controls spending and suggested trustees consult the sponsor (and staff member Miss Polly) about any reallocation.
The Presenter summarized interdistrict tuition mechanics and revenue expectations, saying the district sent invoices for roughly $53,000 to neighboring districts (Forsyth and Haisham) for students attending this district; she said tuition receipts lower local taxpayers’ net tax requirement. The Presenter noted an online MASBO calculator is used to compute out‑of‑district tuition amounts, and that a typical full‑year tuition figure is between $1,000 and $1,200 per student.
Other line items explained included a lease/rental fund that receives rent from Little Buds Daycare (used this year to pay for a new stove), compensated‑absence funds used to pay termination payouts, and building‑reserve funds that now receive larger state matches through the small major maintenance aid program. The Presenter said oil‑and‑gas receipts in the building fund rose from about $77,000 to $92,000 this year; she described those receipts as volatile.
Formal actions: Trustee (speaker 1) moved to approve the elementary trustees list “as given” and the elementary budget; the chair called for a voice vote, and the motion carried (all in favor). The high‑school trustees list, the high‑school budget and the high‑school trustees’ report were likewise moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The chair announced the motions carried. Trustees set the next meeting for Sept. 9 and adjourned.
Quotes: “This year, we purchased 1 school bus for $140,000,” the Presenter said. On the activity fund, a trustee asked, “So what is the plan for that $33,000?” and the Presenter replied that spending decisions are made by the group sponsor and suggested discussing options with staff.
What’s next: the board will reconvene on Sept. 9; no additional formal actions were scheduled at the end of the meeting.
