The Alexander City Outlook

School revenue increases

The financial situation of schools in Alexander City has improved slightly this year, according to Rhonda Blythe, city schools’ chief financial officer.

Blythe presented the school system’s financial report to the Alexander City Board of Education Tuesday during its regular meeting.

Blythe said as of January of 2010 the school system had $2,693,000 in cash in the bank, which was a slight increase compared to last year.

“Compared to last year we are up a little bit,” Blythe said. “Year to date it is $202,000 higher than it was last year and a lot of it is timing.”

Blythe explained the increase could be attributed to when revenue actually came into the school system.

The system’s fund balance is up from last month, but down from last year due to 12 percent proration.

“We are still doing ???. We’re not having to borrow money to make payroll,” Blythe said.

The system is benefiting from an increase in property tax revenue of 7 percent, but is also dealing with a decrease in sales tax revenue of 5 percent. However, overall tax revenue has increased by 5 percent.

In other business, the school board tabled a decision to change the calendar to allow for a makeup day to account for the snow on Feb. 12. Superintendent Lou Ann Wagoner suggested a proposal to schedule the makeup day for April 23, which was originally scheduled as a professional development day for teachers. Pending approval by the board, teachers would make up the professional development day on June 1.

The board also recognized the system’s career tech teachers at Tuesday’s meeting for completing a required business and industry recertification. The teachers are Dwight Buzbee, Jo James, Ed Allen, Rick Jones and Jessica Dean.