by Judy Killen-Originally published in the weekly print edition of the Yellowstone County News on 3/4/16.
WORDEN — Midway through the fiscal year, the Huntley Project Schools general fund budget is on track. The school district’s fiscal year began July 1 and ends June 30. Overall, the district has spent about 45 percent of its budget year to date. “We just try to be as frugal as possible,” said Superintendent Wes Coy. He said although some line items go “in the red” during the year, funds in other line items can cover the expenses. Much of the district’s expenses are not budgeted for, such as the water heater pump that went out a couple of weeks ago and had to be replaced. But other budgeted items may cost less than expected, Coy said, and it eventually evens out. “It turns out new schools and new buses don’t always cost less to maintain,” Coy said. The district has spent more than expected on windshield and door window glass for school buses. During the past month, the district paid A+ Auto Glass on Drury Lane $2,956 for windshield repairs and replacements and door windows, including one windshield that was replaced almost immediately after it was fixed the first time. Scott Gierke, the district’s maintenance manager, said this is a bad time of year for windshields. “It was a little abnormal this time,” he said of spending almost $3,000 in one month. “We’ve had a lot of windshields (needing repairs) this year.” Overall, balancing revenue and expenses, “we’re about where we were last year and probably about where we’ll be next year,” Coy said.
