Starr Transferring $805,000 in Special Education Funds to Other Budget Categories on March 11th

Wonder what this is about? Keep wondering.  This is on the "Consent Agenda" for the March 11th Board of Education meeting.  No discussion need take place for $805,000 of special education funds to be removed from the special education budget.  

March 11, 2014

 MEMORANDUM

To:                   Members of the Board of Education

From:               Joshua P. Starr, Superintendent of Schools

Subject:            Fiscal Year 2014 Categorical Transfer for the Provision for Future Supported Projects

Recommendation in Brief

Authorization is requested to effect categorical transfers totaling $1,005,000 within the Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 Provision for Future Supported Projects.

Background

The current FY 2014 Operating Budget, approved by the Board of Education, includes an appropriation of $8,448,354 for the Provision for Future Supported Projects.  The Provision for Future Supported Projects allows the Board of Education to approve grant projects that are identified subsequent to the adoption of the budget, without having to request supplemental appropriations for each of the projects from the County Council.  This provision was established by the County Council because it was considered to be the most effective way of handling eligible projects and avoiding the need for a public hearing.  The Board of Education will receive additional grants during FY 2014 that are eligible for funding through the Provision for Future Supported Projects.

The categorical breakdown of the $8,448,354 budgeted for the Provision for Future Supported Projects was based on staff’s assessment of likely grant revenues. Actual revenue and expenditure requirements of grant projects require that categorical transfers of $1,005,000 be made in the Provision.

Support of Board of Education Policy

The Provision for Future Supported Projects provides spending authorization and is not a program. Board of Education action complies with the requirements defined by the County Council for eligible grant projects received through the Provision.

Relationship to Ongoing Program

It is anticipated that categorical requirements of the grant projects will differ from what was anticipated when the budget was developed. The categorical transfers are necessary to accommodate additional eligible projects. 

Recommended Resolution

WHEREAS, The current Fiscal Year 2014 Operating Budget adopted by the Board of Education includes $8,448,354 for the Provision for Future Supported Projects; and

WHEREAS, The Board of Education will receive additional projects that are eligible for funding through the Provision for Future Supported Projects during Fiscal Year 2014; and

WHEREAS, Actual revenue and expenditure requirements of grant projects require that categorical transfers be made in the Provision for Future Supported Projects; now therefore be it

Resolved, That the superintendent of schools be authorized to effect categorical transfers totaling $1,005,000 within the Fiscal Year 2014 Provision for Future Supported Projects, in accordance with the County Council provision for transfers, as follows:

		Category		From			To
1		Administration		$50,000
2		Mid-level Administration		100,000
3		Instructional Salaries		50,000
4		Textbooks and Instructional Supplies				$200,000
5		Other Instructional Costs				100,000
6		Special Education		805,000
7		Student Personnel Services				50,000
9		Student Transportation				40,000
10		Operation of Plant and Equipment				40,000
11		Maintenance of Plant				30,000
12		Fixed Charges				150,000
14		Community Services				375,000
13/61		Food and Nutrition Services		__________		20,000
		Total		$  1,005,000		$ 1,005,000

and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be sent to the county executive and the County Council; and be it further

Resolved, That the county executive be requested to recommend approval of this resolution to the County Council.