School Board learns budget is on target

Image
Body

By Harlan Kirgan
Editor
The St. Landry Parish school Board’s budget is forecast to end the year on target and possibly with a surplus.
Tressa Miller, finance director, told the Board’s Finance Committee on June 26, “We are still projecting a break even or better budget.”
The school district budget year ended in June.
As of the end of May the district had a general fund surplus of $3.8 million. The budget projected a $1.4 million loss.
General fund revenues totaled $97.2 million and other sources of revenue were $11.2 million.
Expenses were $114.4 million
While revenues were $5.9 million less than expenses, the system’s balanced sheet was boosted by $9.8 million in federal money for school lunches and federal salaries.
In a report on revenue for the 2017-2018 budget year beginning this month, local funding is expected to decrease by 2 percent from $26.8 million.
A 3.3 percent decrease in state revenue is forecast from $77.7 million.
Total revenue is projected to decrease 3.2 percent this fiscal year to $101.3 million.
In the just passed fiscal year, one area of savings was utility costs, which at the end of May totaled $2.3 million compared to a budget of $3 million.
The 2017-2018 budget is to adopted at the Aug. 3 Board meeting. Hearings are planned July 29 and Aug. 3.
The Board is to consider additional cost-saving measures for its utility bill by possibly enlarging the scope of service by Star Service Inc.
Greg Ortego, an engineer with Star Service,was given the green light to present a plan for energy-saving at Opelousas High School, Opelousas Junior High School, Eunice Junior High School, Lawtell Elementary, Port Barre High, North Central High and Krotz Springs Elementary.
Star Service has been conducting a pilot energy-saving program at Eunice , Northwest and Beau Chene high schools.
In a handout to the Buildings, Lands and Sites Committee, Ortego stated the savings totaled $160,191 in 10 months. That included $88,144 in new equipment purchased by Star.
For the seven schools Star Service proposes adding to the program, costs are to lowered by $337,893.
The Executive Committee is recommending the Board hold a retreat from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 29 to discuss the general fund budget.