Dickson County Schools’ Fund Balance Projected to Begin Year Near $25 Million

Charlotte, TN — Dickson County Schools is projected to begin the new fiscal year with a fund balance of approximately $25 million after finishing the previous year with revenue above budget and expenditures below projections.

School finance officials presented the district’s fourth quarter financial report during the Dickson County Commission’s September 8, 2026 work session. The report covered the end of the fiscal year and included the district’s general purpose, federal projects, school nutrition and capital projects funds.

The district’s general purpose school fund finished the year at 107% of projected revenue and 95% of budgeted expenditures.

County Mayor Danny Williams highlighted the year end results, saying the school system collected approximately $6.6 million more than budgeted while spending roughly $5.1 million less than projected.

The combination left the district with about $11 million more than originally expected to add to its fund balance.

Williams said county officials had anticipated the school fund balance would begin the new year at approximately $13 million after the county previously authorized the use of $17 million from the balance. Based on the final revenue and expenditure figures, he said the actual starting balance is now expected to be closer to $25 million.

“We took $17 million out last year,” Williams told commissioners. “It looks like we were anticipating you being at $13 million. Now, we’re going to be about $25 million fund balance starting the year.”

A fund balance is the difference between accumulated revenue and expenditures at the end of a fiscal year. It can help a school district cover expenses before tax revenue arrives, respond to emergencies and fund future projects.

However, the projected $25 million should not automatically be viewed as money available for unrestricted new spending. Portions of a school fund balance can be assigned, restricted or already committed to specific purposes. The report presented at the meeting did not include a public breakdown of how much of the projected balance is restricted, committed or otherwise available for future use.

The district’s federal projects fund finished the year with both revenue and expenditures at 80% of budget. Officials explained that the fund operates primarily through reimbursements, meaning the district receives federal money to repay qualifying expenses.

The school nutrition fund ended the year with revenue at 109% of budget and expenditures at 98%.

The capital projects fund reported 100% of projected revenue but only 33% of budgeted expenditures. School officials said the lower expenditure percentage was connected to the recent authorization of approximately $17 million from the district’s fund balance for capital projects. Much of that money had not yet been spent by the end of the reporting period.

The financial report was advanced for consideration at the County Commission’s regular meeting. Commissioners did not approve any new use of the projected fund balance during the work session.

The year-end figures provide a stronger financial position than county officials originally anticipated, but additional records would be needed to determine how much of the approximately $25 million is unassigned and available for future projects, operating expenses or emergencies.