During the old business portion of the most recent School Board meeting, an agenda item was in regards to end of the year fund balance purchase requests.
It was explained by Hudson Business Administrator Jenny Graves that they generally have extra funds available at the end of the year, which is known as Fund Balance.
“The Hudson School District traditionally does not spend every dollar of general fund appropriations,” Graves explained in a memo to the School Board. “This residual amount leftover is known as ‘Fund Balance’ and is calculated as of its availability on June 30th each year.”
Graves noted the timing of the fiscal year plays a major role in how the district can use these funds. Authorized spending for each fiscal year begins on July 1, meaning the School Board must follow a specific annual cycle when determining how Fund Balance can be assigned.
“The School Board has authority via the following annual cycle to authorize spending from the Fund Balance:
- Annual Budget Cycle [Warrant Article ‘Ballot’ Placement]: This phase has been completed.
- Assigned Fund Balance: This is where we are at today.
- Unassigned Fund Balance Retained per RSA 198:4 b: This will be reviewed in August 2026, to finalize our required Department of Education (DOE 25) and Department of Revenue (MS 25) reporting. After the cycle above completes, the remaining ‘Unassigned Fund Balance’ is used to offset the tax rate that is set annually in October by the Department of Revenue.”
Graves reminded the Board that several warrant articles approved by voters in March specifically called for certain projects to be funded entirely or partially through end of year Fund Balance.
Those include:
- $135,000 HMS Window Replacement (Phase 8 of 11)
- $180,000 AHS Fire Alarm Panel Replacement
- $125,000 HMS Science Lab Renovation (Phase 4 of 4)
- $62,000 District Wide HVAC Vehicle
- $50,000 Capital Reserve School Renovation Fund
- $100,000 Alvirne Farm Capital Reserve Fund
- $652,000 Total Authorized Appropriation from Fund Balance (MS 22R)
In addition to the voter approved items, Graves said the district also has a variety of other projects and needs – many of which were removed from the final budget proposal sent to voters – that administrators hope to complete using remaining Fund Balance.
Those items, which were assigned a priority order, totaled $255,000 in requests. They include:
- Repairing damaged loading dock & stairs (joint loss issue) at Nottingham West for an estimated cost of $12,000.
- Replacing HVAC condensers and air handlers in the SAU for an estimated cost of $39,000.
- Renovating the culinary arts classroom at Hudson Memorial School for an estimated cost of $38,000.
- Installing new flooring in the café and guidance hallway at Alvirne High School for an estimated $43,500.
- Replacing cafeteria and hallway flooring at Hills Garrison for an estimated cost of $25,000.
- First floor hallway flooring at Nottingham West for an estimated $15,000.
- Art room renovation at Nottingham West for an estimated $30,000.
- Replacing the band room floor at Alvirne High School for an estimated $26,000.
- Replacing stage lighting at Hudson Memorial for an estimated $27,000.
Graves emphasized these priorities reflect both safety needs and long term maintenance concerns. Several of the flooring and HVAC items, she noted, have been deferred for multiple years due to budget constraints.