Math (and other academic matters): Mon’s BOE looks at district budget, future expenditures
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MORGANTOWN - Nicole Kemper came bearing glad tidings to members of the Monongalia County Board Education, during the body’s regular meeting on Tuesday.
Kemper, the district's treasurer, said the system closed out the fiscal year in June with nearly $99 million to the good, in total assets across all funds.
That's including general fund revenues of $173 million, which the district drew from for its day-to-day, she said - and the close to $14 million set aside for capital improvement projects.
Mon's excess levy for education created $39.6 million for district coffers, she said.
The levy, which has been on the books here in 1975, makes dollars possible for Advanced Placement courses and other offerings which set the district apart from several of its across north-central West Virginia and the rest of the state.
Several of those students whose AP capstone projects are receiving recognition in the state and elsewhere were also recognized during the meeting.
Kemper also reviewed infrastructure projects that have been completed or are ongoing for this academic year and beyond.
The turf replacement project for the football field at Westwood Middle School, which cost $2 million and was completed last fall was one of those projects.
A new, yet-to-be constructed Suncrest Middle School is another. A nearly $17 million outlay for that work has been matched by the state School Building Authority - for the $35 million job.
Meanwhile, Mon Schools launched this academic year with less students than last year, the treasurer said.
Certified enrollment totals this year show a student count of 10,885. Last year at this same time, 11,039 were answering roll during the morning bell.
That factors into funding and other matters of money, said Kemper, who told BOE members she'll be keenly watching the state Legislative session when it convenes in January in Charleston.
Lawmakers are expected to focus on the state aid formula for education, which is the amount spent for academic needs of every active student in West Virginia.