Mercer County Board approves working budget, capital transfers and multiple consent items

The Mercer County Board of Education approved the district’s working budget and a series of consent items during its meeting.

Finance staff summarized the working budget for the general fund: total revenue budgeted at $34.7 million and receipts listed at $26.7 million (the presentation included a beginning balance figure and a contingency line), with total expenses budgeted at $29.6 million. Board members were told salary schedules and some grant funds will be finalized in September. The board voted to approve the working budget by roll call.

On consent items, the board approved purchase and installation of grid lockers for athletic facilities (funded by a donation rather than the general fund), authorized purchase of a used 2022 Ford F250 for maintenance (approx. $33,294, according to the request), and approved site‑based dollar carry‑forwards for schools to spend on classroom support, security, technology and other local needs. The board also voted to accept construction bids for intermediate and other packages while excluding the high school package for separate consideration and approved a capital‑pledge transfer and related bond items.

Roll calls recorded unanimous 'Yes' votes on the matters listed in the meeting (district roll-call sequence reported in the transcript). Where specific dollar amounts were read aloud for bids and purchases, those numbers came from staff presentations and backup documents provided to the board; some figures in the spoken transcript appear to contain transcription errors (see audit notes).