The Gilmer County board of Education gave updates on Clear Creek Elementary School construction, the Seamless Summer Meal Program and the fiscal year 2021 and 2022 budgets at its June meetings.
The state fire marshal was in town Thursday, June 24. CCES underwent its final inspection and passed, and the county is now awaiting the certificate of occupancy.
“The C.O. means a lot to us at Charles Black Construction, but we got a long way to go to help you guys along the route to help get you guys in this school,” project manager Allen Mauney said June 21. “We’re not going to get the C.O. then walk out the door. We still have work to position you guys in the school and look forward to it. It’s really been a pleasure to work here.”
Once the county receives the certificate of occupancy, furniture will be permitted in the building and teachers will be able to start organizing and setting up their classrooms.
Crews continue to take care of some odds and ends. Grass has been planted and the installation of playground equipment got underway over the final two weeks of June. All flooring has been completed, and the kitchen has been outfitted as equipment has been installed.
Seamless Summer got off to a strong start as it continues to help keep the county’s youth fed. In the first week of the program, it served 3,647 breakfasts and lunches, which were followed by 3,989 in week two.
“Seamless Summer is off to a fantastic start,” said interim superintendent Kim Cagle. “A lot of those meals were served at (GHS) camps. We see those numbers fluctuate throughout the summer, but Seamless Summer continues to make a positive difference for our students’ summertime activities, and we’re very thankful for that.”
The system received $55,577 from the state as a school nutrition reimbursement for meals served from March through June of last year during the pandemic when Seamless Summer benefits were extended.
The system updated the fiscal year 2021 budget ahead of its June 30 completion. Grants that were not available at the beginning of the year were allocated to cover expenses.
Total revenue was originally budgeted at $39 million, which was adjusted to $41.5 million. Ad valorem, transfer and title taxes accounted for $1.3 million.
“Those (taxes) were excessively high collections during the year,” said chief financial officer Trina Penland.
Expenditures were originally budgeted at $41.5 million and that estimate was revised to $39.7 million.
“One of the largest areas is instruction. We have decreased that by $700,000. We had several instructional positions we budgeted for that did not field (because of more virtual students than years past),” Penland said.
The system’s estimates an excess of revenues over expenditures of $1,795,342 for FY21.
The board of education approved the FY 2022 tentative budget. Estimated total revenues of $39.9 million and expenditures of $40 million leaves a deficit of revenues under expenditures of $46,509.