Board discusses finances

GROVETON — The Groveton ISD Board of Trustees got good financial news from its annual audit, but the benefits might be temporary.

Superintendent Jim Dillard said that on Dec. 18, the board accepted the financial audit by Axley & Rode, which came with an unmodified opinion and showed additional money in its fund balance because of ESSER grants.

However, since ESSER funds run out at the end of the year, Dillard said that districts may go through what is called the ESSER effect.

“Schools raised pay and did other items with those funds, but when that runs out, what will be the effect?” Dillard asked. “We’re curious to see how that plays out.”

In other business, the board:

•approved an order of election for May 4 for the positions held currently by Mark Folds and Benny Abshier. Filing will be held between Jan. 17 and Feb. 16, and early voting will be held April 22-30;

•held a second hearing on a policy update, which contains a provision about using chaplains for counseling;

•approved extending Dillard’s contract for a year following an evaluation;

•discussed celebrating Board Appreciation Month in January; and

•discussed the recent district UIL competition held at the Elementary School campus, which the Groveton students won first for the first time since 2004.