The North Platte School Board held a non-voting meeting Thursday night, where the budget, grants and teacher vacancies were on the agenda.
Executive Director of Finance Stuart Simpson shared with the board the district's revenue and expenditure projections, highlighting the Special Construction Fund, Qualified Capital Purposes Fund (QCPUF), and Sinking Fund.
The preliminary construction fund budget for next year is expected to be significantly smaller than the fiscal year ending August 31st.
The 2023-24 construction fund budget includes approximately $4.27 million in revenue and $4.64 million in resources, including carryover funds. By contrast, the foundation's estimated 2024-25 budget projects revenue of $1.25 million and resources of $1.63 million.
These funds will be used to improve buildings within the district, such as air conditioning systems in some elementary schools.
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QCPUF will similarly decline in 2024-25, with revenue expected to be $1.37 million compared to $2.12 million in 2023-24. QCPUF covers expenditures for land acquisition, construction, and other improvements.
Simpson also reviewed the grant money the district has received or is scheduled to receive for the current school year. The total amount is approximately $4.48 million, of which $295,953 comes from special education grants.
Kevin Mills, director of human resources, also gave a presentation to the board regarding teacher vacancies and hiring.
North Platte's turnover rate is about 10% annually, and as of March 25, the district had 31 teachers retire or resign and hired 27 this school year, Mills reported.
Current job openings include elementary school math, science, English, science, special education and music positions, as well as a journalism teacher position at North Platte High School.
The school board's next voting session will be held April 8 at 5:30 p.m. at the McKinley Education Center.
