Leeds Board of Education recognizes ACT students, hears audit report

Source: The Trussville Tribune
Author: Nathan Prewett

LEEDS - The Leeds Board of Education recognized three ACT students before hearing an audit report from the Potter, Bryant and Moore firm during a meeting on Tuesday, April 9.

Superintendent John Moore said that the board picked out the three students for scoring 30 or higher on the ACT.

"Several years ago the board decided that they wanted to recognize - well, let me just say that in public education we sometimes when we're working hard, doing what we do, we forget to really highlight excellence, and that's something we have to be mindful of."

The students attend Leeds High School and were present with Principal Rayford Williams.

When asked what they wanted to do when they graduate, Dane Wichmann, who scored 30, said that he wanted to major in mechanical engineering at UAB. Hannahlyse Hudson, also scoring 30, said that she wanted to study early childhood education and become a childhood specialist. Bailey Hughes was unsure where she wanted to attend. She scored 34 on her ACT.

"We're certainly proud [of them]. Three great students, really smart," said Williams, momentarily adding, "We have a lot of smart kids at Leeds High School but these stars here."

Afterwards, Steve Moore from the Potter, Bryant and Moore firm delivered the audit report.

In the general fund there was $10.3 million in total assets. Liabilities were $2 million, the bulk of which were salaries and benefits payable. The unassigned end fund balance was $2.8 million in the general fund.

The total assets in the special revenue funds were close to $3.5 million, Moore said. Liabilities were $390,000 and the ending fund balance was $3.2 million, of which $54,000 was non-spendable. There were $750,000 total assets in the debt service funds. There were no liabilities in this fund, which resulted in a restricted fund balance of $750,000.

Capitol projects had assets of $450,000, also with no liabilities. There was an ending fund balance of $7.3 million.

In a statement of revenues, expenditures and changes in fund balance there was a total revenue of $24.5 million in the general fund revenues.

The report was an unmodified opinion from the firm, with Moore saying that there were no concerns about the district's financial status.

Following this was Chief Financial Officer Ryan Miller's usual report. For the month of February the district was at 69% of the general fund revenues and 111% of the local revenues, up 28.13% from this time last year. Expenditures were 41%, with accounts payable at $599,000. Gross payroll expenditure was 1.29%. The excess of revenues over expenditures was $6.5 million and the month was ended with an unreserved fund balance of $11.5 million.

In in comments, Moore said that graduation would be held on April 23 at 6p.m., with the ceremony to be held at the Church of the Highlands.

In other business the board:

The next meeting will be held on May 14 at 10 a.m. at the Leeds Board of Education Building located on 1517 Hurst Avenue.