Expense coding to be examined for new budget

At Monday’s regular meeting, board member Karen Meucci questioned some of the coding of some expenditures under “board services.”

One item she asked about was why the meal for the football players when they made the state championship was budgeted as a board service expense, when she said it should be out the athletic fund.

Superintendent Dr. Pat Halloran explained the board services category is more of a district expense category. The district often pays for a meal for the students when they make a state-level achievement, he said.

Meucci agreed the football players should be rewarded, but the budget for board services is already over budget and said this is an expense that should have come from the athletic fund.

“It appears like there is overspending out of the board. That money should be used for professional and technical support,” she said.

Halloran explained that the expenditure was a district expense, which is coded as “board services,” but that they will look at the coding process for future budgets.

“The key is it’s not an inappropriate expenditure, it’s a coding issue,” said Halloran Wednesday.

“In next year’s budget process, that is the type of thing we will look at to make sure its the appropriate line item to cover the expense,” he continued.

Also during Monday’s meeting, Meucci questioned why the Poms had to pay a maintenance fee to the school. A fundraiser was held that required the use of the janitorial staff and the district charges a fee for their time. Principal Kelly Hussey said the coaches usually pay for this out of the student activity fund, so it doesn’t effect their fundraising profit.

Meucci said she is concerned that the students have to pay anything back to the district for raising funds for their activities.

Halloran said Wednesday the district will be revisiting any kind of rental or custodial fees that are for fundraisers supporting school groups or student activities.