It’s one of those great words you learn in English IV but rarely get a chance to use. “Conundrum.” That’s a difficult problem or a question with only a conjectural answer. That’s what the Winn Parish School Board is facing as it looks ahead to fall.
In their July meeting held Monday, members wrestled with the always difficult task of approving a budget for the new year that they have to submit to the state before actual attendance numbers are known. State MFP funding is tied to enrollment figures. It’s always been a best guess scenario. But this week the board was pitched another curve ball.
Supt. Al Simmons advised that due to administrative orders and court actions, funding that had been approved by congress has been put on hold. Winn was notified that funding for certain federal Title programs has not been released. He explained that this is not a “yes or no” on if the money would be available. But at the moment, the school district does not have access, making it difficult to move forward as usual.
“It’s under review. More likely than not, it will eventually be released.” But he said the district can’t make a commitment to spend when funding is uncertain. Supervisor Bridgette Bartlett talked about Title II and Title IV programs, saying there is no way of knowing if the funds will be available.
Business manager Jennifer Vidrine reported that the ever-changing financial numbers show an $11,000 surplus for the consolidated budget for the 2025-26 year as it stands today. Even though the board has until mid-September to submit this budget for state approval, they’d acted in recent years to make an earlier submission.
Member Lance Underwood observed he is glad the news of the hold on funding came through now rather than later. President Joe Lynn Browning cautioned the members on early budget approval because “once it’s done, it’s done.” Final action could be deferred until the August or even September meetings. “Personally, I’d rather wait,” said member Lacey McManus.
“It’s crazy that our budget process is like this,” said Simmons. “But it is what it is.” He went on to question the likelihood of the board knowing the outcome of this current federal funding hold in the next 30 or even 60 days.
No action was taken Monday night.