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Bladen County Schools presents year-end budget and fund-balance concerns as reimbursements lag
Summary
Finance presenter Daniel Nolan and Superintendent Dr. Atkinson told the board that federal, state and local expense percentages are nearing full expenditure for the 2025–26 year and urged discussion with county officials about reimbursement timing to protect liquidity.
At the May 11 meeting the Bladen County Board of Education received a budget and audit update that flagged rising expenditures and timing risks tied to county reimbursements.
Daniel Nolan, who presented the district’s year-to-date figures, told the board “For our state funds, we have $243,000 left for this year,” and detailed expense rates: “From a federal funds perspective ... our expense percentage for the month is at 73.81% or approximately $4,330,000.” He reported state fund spending at 87.34% (about $31.8 million) and local expense at roughly 85.45 (about $7.76 million), and said the district expects to expend available state funds by June 30.
Superintendent Dr. Atkinson added that the district has repeatedly had to pay expenses first and request county reimbursement later, which has eroded the district’s ability to hold a consistent fund balance. “Those allocations when it comes to a new fiscal year, they really belong to Bladen County Schools when they’re set aside,” he said, arguing that delays in county award or reimbursement force the district to “float” bills and lose potential interest income.
Board members asked for more precise figures on outstanding reimbursements; Nolan said he would provide a clearer total. The superintendent and the finance presenter urged board leadership to seek a meeting with county finance officials to explore options for getting timely access to legally allocated funds and to reduce the strain on the district’s liquidity.
Nolan also reviewed a 10-year trend chart showing that expenditures have generally risen while revenue has decreased, with prior peaks tied to federal COVID-era ESSER funds. He said the district is monitoring cash flow as it prepares for the 2026–27 school year and noted auditors will be on-site in July for the 2025–26 compliance audit.
Board members recommended that presentations be displayed on the meeting screen for the public; the chair said board packets include the materials and staff can make them available.
The board asked staff to follow up with a more precise accounting of reimbursements and to request a meeting with county officials about reimbursement timing and procedures.
