Title
Receive a presentation on the Chatham County Schools charter school reimbursement request
Abstract
Introduction & Background: Chatham County Schools has requested an additional (reimbursement) allocation from the County due to actual numbers of charter school student enrollment exceeding budget projections for FY22-23 through FY24-25.
Discussion & Analysis: Each year, Chatham County Schools estimates the total number of Chatham County generated students that will attend charter schools in the following school (and fiscal) year. For the years from FY22-23 through FY24-25, the schools systems estimated costs were significantly lower than the actual costs (determined after the approval of that fiscal year’s budget after the school/academic year has started). The school system has been funding these additional costs using undesignated fund balance, which has had a negative impact on the district’s undesignated fund balance. Chatham County Schools are requesting $1,423,575.81 from Chatham County to cover these overages. County staff have prepared a presentation to provide additional details to the Board of Commissioners related to this request; however, we are recommending that any action be delayed until both the CCS and Chatham County FY24-25 annual audits have been completed.
How does this relate to the Comprehensive Plan: This request furthers the Comprehensive Plan goal “Provide equitable access to high-quality education, housing, and community options for all”.
Budgetary Impact: There is no budgetary impact to the presentation; however, the reimbursement request that has been made by Chatham County Schools has a total impact of $1,423,575.81.
Recommendation/Motion: Receive a presentation on the Chatham County Schools charter school reimbursement request and provide feedback to staff.