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CFO: District revenues on track but fuel and health‑insurance costs merit monitoring
Summary
Chief Financial Officer Chris Jewett reported nine‑month totals showing $209,491,889 in unrestricted revenues (73% of budget) and cautioned that transportation and health‑insurance categories require monitoring after encumbrances and rising fuel costs pushed a transportation category over budget.
Chris Jewett, the district’s chief financial officer, presented the nine‑month financial report for the period ending March 31, 2026, saying, "our total unrestricted revenues were $209,491,889, and that represents 73% of our total budget." Jewett reported total unrestricted fund expenditures of $187,286,832 and encumbrances of $89,597,109.
Jewett flagged the transportation category (category 209) as exceeding the budget by about $241,000 because fuel prices rose since the budget was set: "we have seen increases in our fuel from where we budgeted ... to where we are now, about $5.12 net of tax." He said staff will monitor the category and bring an inter‑category budget transfer to the county government for approval if needed.
On fixed charges and benefits, Jewett noted a positive available balance of about $1,500,000 but said the district is monitoring 2026 health‑insurance claims and will reflect any liabilities in year‑end reporting. A board member questioned how encumbrances produce a $21,000,000 figure for the final quarter; Jewett said salary encumbrances (and associated Social Security taxes) primarily drive that number and promised a detailed breakdown after the meeting.
Board members also raised concern about the state budget outlook; Dr. Newsome said a recent P‑12 legislative briefing indicated the governor intends to fully fund what the board included in February’s budget but warned some items could be delayed with future negative impacts.
