JACKSONVILLE, Ala. (WBRC) – Jacksonville City School leaders recently addressed upcoming budget concerns. The school system is about to feel the pinch of losing some of the federal pandemic relief funding.
Jacksonville City School Board of Education President Teresia Hall says it’s about paying close attention to every dollar to maintain a school system the community of Jacksonville can be proud of.
“Today, we’re able to operate for a couple of months having some money in reserve,” said Hall.
Pandemic federal relief funds, or ESF funds, given to school systems will no longer be available this upcoming school year in Jacksonville. During a meeting last week, board members discussed financial plans moving forward.
“We used it really to take care of some upgrades in the district. Things that was critical for staffing and we used it for that and which these funds are no longer available to us,” said Hall.
With the focus on building the general fund, Hall says the board will be looking closely at a few factors that could affect future revenue.
“State education funded based on Alabama state legislation per pupil funding formulas. Student enrollment, a decline in our enrollment. Local property taxes, any fluctuation in those local taxes,” said Hall.
Having four to five months worth of reserve funding totaling $5,000,000, President Hall says they’re waiting on the federal government to release federal funding for the upcoming school year on top of what they currently have.
“Everything is based on students. So, if there’s a need for students then of course we want to make sure we make that need. But if it’s just a want, we can put those on hold, on the backburner. We want to make sure we have what we need for our teachers and our students, that’s a priority,” said Hall.
President Hall says they run an internal audit every year and she likes where they are financially while looking forward to a great school year.
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