Clark School Board Honors Exceptional Educators and Staff

Overview: In a recent gathering, the Clark School Board paid tribute to a group of distinguished educators and staff members for their exceptional contributions to the district. The meeting spotlighted the recipients of the Governor’s Educators of the Year awards, acknowledged the dedication of a long-serving staff member, and addressed various curricular and policy items. Additionally, the board celebrated the Middle School Science Olympiad team’s achievements and heard a community member’s concerns about state educational policies.

Clark School Board Approves Tentative Annual School Budget

Overview: The Clark School Board has approved the tentative annual school budget for the 2024-2025 academic year, which will now be submitted to the Union County Executive Superintendent for approval. The budget, which totals $47,784,427, includes $43,745,000 for the general fund, $2.2 million for special revenue, and $1.8 million for debt service. The tax levy to support the budget is set at $36 million. This financial plan is key to the district’s operations and will be further discussed in a public budget presentation scheduled for May.

Clark School Board Audit Reveals Clean Financial Health

Overview: The Clark School Board convened recently, with the presentation of the 2022-2023 school year audit taking center stage. Andrew Parenti, a partner at Lurch, Vincy, and Bliss, delivered the audit results, reporting an unmodified, or clean opinion. The district concluded the fiscal year with a fund balance of approximately $9.6 million, allocated across several reserves, including $2.2 million for the 2024-2025 budget and $4.2 million for the 2023-2024 school year. The audit also revealed a capital reserve of $924,000 and a maintenance reserve of $91,000, with an unassigned fund balance of $1.1 million. One recommendation was made regarding the timely deposit of program fees from the before and after school program.