BEDFORD – Bedford North Lawrence Community Schools met yesterday for the 2024 Budget proposal presentation.
The budget sections the total under different funds:
- Education Fund – $25,900,000
- Operations Fund – $14,621,632
- Debt Service – $6,182,352
- Pension Debt – $801,604
- Rainy Day – $2,500,000
The Rainy Day fund has a total balance of $6,316,865, but the proposal only allows for the use/transfer of $2.5 million for the 2024 year without further approval by the NLCS board.
NLCS is prioritizing the education and well-being of their students and it shows in their budget, with slightly more than half of the total, $50,005,588 of funding dedicated to the Education Fund, and the next largest portion, 29.2% dedicated to bus replacement, maintenance, repairs, technology, utilities, and general upkeep and function of the schools.
Some concerns were voiced at the meeting last night, noting that BNL needs a new HVAC system, and the gym needs a new floor, stating the current floor can no longer be sanded down.
Additionally, some NLCS buildings will need roof replacements in the coming years. These problems, as well as the purchase of 4 new buses to comply with law requirements, are all expenses that will need to be addressed in the coming year or soon after.
