Northampton School Board requests $3.25 million fund transfer from school operating fund to school enhancement project

The Northampton County School Board requested a $3.25 million appropriation from the Board of Supervisors to transfer surplus funds from the School Operating Fund to the School Capital Improvement Fund. The move follows School Board approval on May 8 and aligns with the county’s annual budget policy, which permits the transfer of year-end operating surpluses to support capital needs.

According to Finance Director Brooke Thomas, the request addresses a carryover from Fiscal Year 2023, when $3,246,622 in surplus funds were not transferred due to delays in completing the Annual School Report and finalizing the year-end closeout. That amount remains in the Fund 910 School Operating Fund balance.

As part of the proposed transfer, $2.5 million would be designated as reserved funding for the ongoing Middle/High School Enhancement Project. The remaining $746,622 would be held in the Capital Improvement Fund as undesignated fund balance for future use.

The request is categorized as a budgetary action to reclassify existing funds and does not authorize new expenditures. However, due to the size of the transfer, a public hearing is required before final approval by the Board of Supervisors.