Committee presses staff on high pupil activity fund balances at several high schools

Committee members told staff they were concerned that several schools maintain large pupil‑activity fund balances and asked staff to follow up with principals on plans for spending those funds.

The chair noted specific balances presented in the packet: Hilton Head High approximately $565,000, Bluffton High about $457,000, May River and Buford High roughly $206,000, Whale Branch about $101,000 and Battery Creek about $90,000. "Hilton Head High School, half a $1,000,000 sitting there in a pupil activity fund ... That seems to be a bit excessive," the chair said, asking whether principals or student government could be encouraged to spend on student experiences or other needs.

Staff said they have discussed high balances with principals and that prom, graduation and other spring activities can produce large inflows in March–May while expenses postdate those receipts; staff committed to monitoring accounts and to redirect requests to the student activities report when schools request additional funding.

Members asked staff to prepare a plan for addressing unusually large balances and suggested that a target balance (for example, around $100,000) might be more appropriate for many schools. Staff agreed to continue the conversations and return with more detail if requested.

The committee accepted the financial reports and moved on to other agenda items.