Coffee County committee approves $500,000 set-aside to sustain after-school programs

The Coffee County Budget Committee voted to approve three school-related budget amendments after a presentation from a school finance presenter and brief member questioning. The approved package includes a $500,000 assignment from unassigned fund balance to sustain after-school programming for the next two to three school years, a transfer to purchase ELA and world history/geography textbooks, and an administrative bookkeeping adjustment tied to a state voluntary pre-K grant.

The presenter said the $500,000 was moved out of unassigned fund balance and restricted or assigned specifically to after-school programs to ensure continuity while the district pursues another grant opportunity expected in about two years. "The board voted to set aside $500,000 for after school program to be able to fund that for the next 2 to 3 school years," the presenter stated during the meeting.

Committee members asked whether the set-aside covers all county schools and how the funds relate to previous grants. The presenter said the program serves K–8 at the county's elementary schools and feeds into middle-school programs where appropriate; a separate tutoring program runs concurrently and is included in the funding plan. The presenter added that the set-aside is intended to bridge the district until it can reapply for a competitive grant in about two years.

On textbooks, the presenter said the board is reallocating an existing assigned textbook fund to purchase required ELA and world history/geography texts this year and next. The presenter described that these purchases are routine replacements and that the district maintains a restricted textbook fund from which the transfer is drawn.

The committee moved and seconded a single omnibus motion to approve all three school amendments and voted to carry the motion. The meeting record shows the motion to approve all three passed with an affirmative voice vote.