Board hears $3 million funding gap and cash‑flow concerns ahead of school year

At its June meeting, Bladen County Schools' finance officer Daniel Noll outlined a starting budget shortfall after state and federal changes. "...decreased, federal funding, which came in at approximately $500,000 for a total fiscal cut of $3,000,000 right off the, gate," he said, summarizing the impact the district faces going into the new school year.

Noll said the district also faces cash‑flow timing problems: several large obligations, including insurance premiums of about $250,000 that must be paid July 1, do not align with when local and state revenues arrive. He told the board that while a continued review and a bridge resolution could be presented in September, trustees should prepare for further adjustment: "Maintaining your fiscal, you know, liquidity will be a challenge..."

Board members pressed for more specifics on federal allotment changes and requested detailed figures for Title I and Title II reductions; Noll said he would provide exact numbers before the next meeting. The finance discussion led into longer conversations about local contracts and the use of fund balance, including whether proceeds from property dispositions must be restricted to capital outlay.