By Bob Vlach
Woodford Sun Staff
The Woodford County Board of Education (BOE) voted unanimously to approve a working budget for the 2026-27 school year during its regular meeting on Sept. 28. The budget includes $51.761 million in the general operating fund, $5.087 million in the building fund and a contingency of “just under 7.6 percent,” district Finance Director Jason Gribbins told the BOE.
“Ideally,” he said, “we would want that contingency to be … anywhere between 12 to 15 percent, which actually equates to somewhere between 6 and 8 million dollars. That’s really kind of the sweet spot for us because then you don’t have to worry about the October squeeze,” when Woodford County Public Schools (WCPS) are waiting for local tax revenue in November.
During his financial report, Gribbins said spending in July and August of this year was about $1.4 million less than last year. Revenue is up about $800,000 compared to a year ago, so that’s “a $2.2 million positive swing,” he said.
Most local property tax revenue comes in November, but he said WCPS will reach out to the Woodford County Sheriff to see if tax payments received in October can be paid to WCPS before November.
Gribbins said WCPS will probably need to get a loan of about $200,000 depending on expenses, including two payrolls, while waiting to receive the bulk of its property tax revenue in November. “So we’re keeping a really close eye on it,” he said.
Pisgah property
There was some interest shown, but no formal bids were received on the former Board of Education building on Pisgah Pike, Gribbins informed the BOE.
The BOE could vote to sell the property, which has been declared surplus property, at public auction. Or BOE member Sherri Springate suggested the board could also consider “creative ideas” from the public on other options such as an adaptive re-use of the building.
The monthly utility costs for the building are about $3,000, and that will likely increase during the winter months, and that does not include the cost for insurance on the building, Gribbins said.
State assessment
State assessment results will be released to the public on Oct. 15, Chief Academic Officer Ryan Asher said. He also updated the BOE on gains made by students who participated in the summer learning program in reading and math, and survey responses of teachers, students and parents on issues related to technology use in school.
Moment of silence
The meeting began with the BOE observing a moment of silence for Kentucky State Police Trooper Hayden Phillips, who was shot and killed while making a traffic stop in Warren County on Monday.