The Caldwell County school board approved the $21.73 million working budget for Fiscal Year 2023 during a special called meeting Tuesday night.
Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Roach said there were a few items to keep in mind as they go into this year which included bus purchases, facility needs, HVAC systems at the primary and middle schools, and a reduction in SEEK adjusted for ADA next year.
Roach recommended not replacing any buses due to the purchase of eight buses in the last three years.
click to download audioHe added the district has applied for a grant that would pay 100% for five electric buses.
click to download audioAccording to Roach, he will have a BG-1 for the board to consider at the next meeting for the HVAC system at the primary school with an estimated price tag of $4.6 million.
click to download audioHe noted part of the five-year facility plan also includes upgrades to the softball and baseball fields and facilities.
He said the reduction in SEEK adjusted for ADA would affect staffing at a couple of the schools.
click to download audioRoach said the general fund budget of over $21.73 million included the major areas of revenue of $1.93 million for property tax, SEEK $8.29 million along with $4.4 million on-half payments which are retirement benefits from the state that the district can’t touch but has to be included in the budget.
Under expenses, he also noted salaries make up 68% of the budget, contingency 13%, fixed assets 3%, utility supplies, and fuel 8%, and repairs, insurance, and other professional services finish off the other 8%.
Also incorporated in the budget, according to Roach, is Fund 2 for special revenue projects such as Title I, Idea-b, Preschool, ESS, PD, KETS, etc. with a budget of over $2.7 million while the Capital Outlay fund has a budget of $177,376 available for building improvements or bus purchases. In addition, the building fund has a budget of more than $2.6 million, with $1.2 of that amount for bond payments, and food service has a budget of over $1.7 million.
After much discussion, board members unanimously approved the budget with board member Stacey Brantley absent from the special called meeting.
