The St. Landry Parish School Board ended its fiscal year with a $2.1 million loss in its general fund.
In a report delivered to the Board’s Finance Committee in Opelousas on Wednesday, the school system had general fund expenses of $128,767 million, which was over the budget of $115,821.
The budget had projected a loss of $1.7 million.
The school system’s fiscal year ended June 30.
Candy Gerace, Board president, said, “We are digging into our reserves harder than what we anticipated.”
Tressa Miller, finance director, said additional may revenues may come to ease the drain on the general fund reserve, which is reported at $7.5 million.
The targeted general fund balance is $7.7 million.
Miller said there is about $1 million still due from FEMA, but it was noted federal reimbursements can take years to receive.
In other Finance Committee business, an increase in adult meals was approved and it going to the full Board at Thursday’s meeting.
Adult lunches will increase from $2 to $4 and a breakfast will cost $2, up from $1.25.
A report to the Board stated there were 1,846 breakfast meals served to adults and 28,621 lunch meals purchased by adults in the 2017-18 school year.
The increased meal prices are projected to save the school system’s general fund about $44,000.
