Hardy County board approves FY27 operating budget, levy rates and $2,500 Extension agreement

The Hardy County Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt proposed levy rates and approve the district’s operating budget for fiscal year 2027 during its May meeting.

The board also approved a memorandum agreement with the Hardy County Extension for $2,500 after discussion that the Extension had originally requested $11,500. Chair and board members moved and seconded the motions; all routine votes during the meeting passed 5–0 unless otherwise noted.

Why it matters: Adopting levy rates and the operating budget sets the tax and spending framework for the coming year and enables the district to finalize contracts and staffing for the 2026–27 school year.

Board members advanced several routine consent items earlier in the meeting and discussed procurement steps for an upcoming audit. A board member asked about a $21,500 audit invoice and whether the district would solicit competitive bids; staff said the board had approved going out to bid, an RFP should be posted by June 1, and multiple CPA firms had already contacted the district.

Financial context: Staff presenting the April expenditure-by-object report said encumbrances are being closed out and that the district showed roughly $2 million remaining in the “monies remaining” column, with the expectation of clearer figures in the next reporting cycle.

Votes at a glance:
• Consent agenda: approved, 5–0.
• Proposed levy rates: approved, 5–0.
• FY27 operating budget: approved, 5–0.
• Hardy County Extension memorandum: approved for $2,500 (original request $11,500), 5–0.
• Textbook adoptions (health and personal finance): approved (see separate coverage), 5–0.
• Denial of extended unpaid leave for one employee: approved, 5–0.
• Personnel slate of hires and resignations: approved, 5–0.

What’s next: Staff said the RFP for audit services will be prepared in the coming weeks and that updated financial figures will be shared next month. The board scheduled a June meeting on June 8 and will receive board self-reflection results at its July 8 meeting.

Provenance: Topics introduced beginning at the consent-motion discussion (SEG 396) and concluding with the FY27 budget and memorandum approvals (through SEG 505).