Hennessey Public Schools started with a $6.551 million general fund carryover on June 30.

That was more than $2.008 million over the previous year, said Steve Blasingame of the Angel, Johnston & Blasingame auditing firm.

Revenues from state sources were $7.695 million (for the 2022-23 year), an increase of $1.526 million, the board was told during the regular November meeting last Monday.

Blasingame added that revenue from federal sources was down $355,666.

“Payroll was up and so were food costs,” he said, before the board accepted his report.

The building fund had $1.418 million in the 2022-23 fiscal year compared with $651,887 June 30, 2022, for an increase of $766,654. (Note: The board sold $1.58 million in building bonds in May.)

Local revenue sources (property taxes) were $2.924 million, up $152,239 over the 2021-22 year.

County sources totaled $582,501 for an increase of $93,813 and the total revenue in the general fund was $13.267 million for an increase of $1.416 million over the previous year.

Superintendent’s Facilities Report

• The State Highway 51 transportation building has been staked out and there is a problem with the washing bay that showed 22 feet and another place was 20 feet for the washing bay so they are two feet short. The engineer said there are two options: put in two 1,500 gallon tanks for $7,000 or put in a lift station for $40,000. He said they could tie into the town’s line, or go another year and see how it goes for a year.

Superintendent Jason Sternberger said there was no runoff when asked by a board member.

• He said the engineer is working on a survey for adding about 200 parking spaces at the football field and it should be ready in February.

• After bids on auditorium lighting, it may cost just under $300,000 for stage and house robotic lighting for stage and house.

• Basketball goals at the Eagle Event Center (“The Dome”) need to be replaced. It will take about $40,000 to take down the four goals and put in retractable goals.

• There are roofing (leaking) issues at The Dome. “I was told that the flashing was not put in correctly and we have a warranty on it.”

At the Meeting

All board members were at the meeting: President Luke Lough, Vice President Patrick Griffin, Clerk Dr. James Matthew Matousek, David Tillman and Amy Charmasson.

Staff at the board table were Sternberger and Timberly Jech, office manager and minutes clerk.

In the audience were principals Barry Crosswhite, elementary; Stacey Mack, early childhood center, and Todd Cameron, technology director.