The Poplar Bluff R-1 School Board met Thursday in their annual work session to review the proposed 2023-2024 district budget along with a number of other administrative items.
Next year’s budget anticipates operating revenue at $62.67 million with operating expenses of $59.47 million, for an estimated surplus of $1.7 million.
The budget marks the conclusion of the district’s use of federal ESSER COVID-19 relief funds.
ESSER is the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, which appropriates federal money to help schools regain lost learning time during the pandemic and help students overcome the educational challenges of lost classroom time.
The remainder of ESSER II funds will be spent by the end of the summer, primarily on maintenance and capital improvement projects.
ESSER III funds must be spent by September 2024 and are allocated in the 2024 budget. Approximately $10 million in ESSER III funds remain available to the district. About $3 million will be used to offset the district salary increases approved last year.
Federal funds augment the capital improvements budget but do not cover all approved district projects.
Capital projects expenses are budgeted for next year at $7.5 million, with estimated capital revenue of $5.8 million for a shortfall of $1.7 million, which will be covered by a transfer from the district’s Fund 1 balance.
Notable capital projects include the new Culinary Arts Building at the Technical Career Center, which is budgeted at $937,000. The district was awarded a Community Development Block Grant that will contribute another $500,000 to that project.
Also in next year’s budget is the completion of the new Junior High Activity Center, which will end up costing an estimated $1.59 million.
Maintenance projects in the budget include replacements of roofs, windows, HVAC systems, and fire alarm systems at a number of facilities throughout the district.
Technology improvements in the budget include new Chromebooks for students and teachers at the high school, a new Student Information System, which was just approved last month, and improved cybersecurity to protect the district from malicious computer attacks.
The district will see a surplus in their debt service, with revenue of just over $1 million against expenses of $822,780.
Assistant Superintendent for Finance Dr. Amy Jackson presented the proposed budget to the board, saying that her estimates were based on conservative projections of income from state funding and local taxes, both of which won’t be known for certain until after the budget is approved.
The board also reviewed the renewals of existing policies, including the Board of Education Goals, the District Mission Statement, Graphic & Trademark Guidelines, and the upcoming board schedule for the new school year.
All these items, including the budget, will be on the agenda for approval at the next scheduled board meeting on Thursday, June 22.