Cullman County Schools’ finances are looking brighter — or blacker, as it were — with new roofs going up on campuses across the district, and extra revenue providing opportunities for other capital investments.

On Thursday, the Cullman County Board of Education approved its 2018 budget after holding its final public hearing and review of its finances, presented by the Chief Finance Officer Ed Roberson. Overall, the school system will have a $74.4 million budget, with a bulk of those funds coming the state ($56 million) and ($18 million) in local sources.

The county has been awarded funds through the Federal Government’s Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB) program. The funds cover improvements to school facilities in communities where there is significant participation (over 35 percent) in the Free and Reduced Meals Program. It requires a 10 percent match or in-kind contribution from businesses and private sector entities.

The county has used the money to replace roofs on schools buildings across the district, with a number of other buildings in line for repair. The QZAB funds have freed up capital money that can be used for facilities upgrades and technology, Roberson.

“My accounting philosophy is this — budget expenses high and revenue low,” Roberson said.

In other business Thursday, the board:

* Approved Aug. 10 meeting minutes.

* Approved West Point Middle School’s request to pay Regina Jones a $1,000 for maintaining C2C (AHSAA).

* Approved Welti School’s request for a Back to School for Parents-Parent Connectim Night for five meetings during the 2017-2018 school year, teachers paid $25 per hour as needed by Title School-Wide Funds: Krystal Ayers, Stefanie Bagwell, Elizabeth Brock, Brandy Fields, Jamie Fowler, Tiffany Gambrill, Patty Goldsby, Kristi Hooper, Samantha Hunter, Katara Lane, Denise Manord, Brian O’Rear, Teri Pitts, Miranda Tedder and Arnie Yeager.

* Approved Welti School’s request to pay the following teachers for part-time tutoring as needed, two days a week for one hour a day, beginning in October, to be paid $25 per hour by Title School-Wide Funds: Krystal Ayers, Brandy Fields, Jamie Fowler, Samantha Hunter, Katara Lane, Brian O’Rear, Teri Pitts, and Miranda Tedder.

* Approved Fairview High School’s request to pay Ragan Ashley (non-faculty coach) $200 for overseeing the summer workouts and general facilities upkeep.

* Approved the following 2017-2018 After School Programs & Personnel: Holly Pond Elementary teachers- Cynthia Hawkins ($15 an hour) Joella Link, Amy Wood, Jane Daniel ($11 an hour). Subs will be paid $10 an hour from the CCBOE approved sub list; Fairview Elementary paid by local school funds, subs $11 an hour: April Alldredge, Lilly Hardman, Abby Holcomb, April Jochum, Christina Lindsey and Lacey Sizemore; Vinemont Elementary teacher Suzi Clayton and aides Britney White, Danna Powell and Alicia Maddux.

* Approved pay Jeff Curtis for training the new Career Technical Director.

* Approved request from the Director of Federal Programs to pay a $5,000 supplement from federal funds to Connie Underwood for training of parents at the district level for Parent & Family Engagement.

* Approved 2017-2018 Cullman County Schools’ salary schedule.

* Approved July 2017 financial statements. All bank statements have been reconciled through July 2017.

* Approved July 2017 bills and salaries: July bills were $7,141,662.30, payroll was $2,647,107.83 $9,788,770.13

* Approved request to add New York Life Insurance as a payroll deductions for employees.

* Approved Maintenance Department’s Public Works: West Point Intermediate’s roof claim for $49,995 Johns & Kirksey.

* Approved Fairview High’s request for repairs to track/drainage for $2,000.

* Approved Fairview High’s request re-roofing and renovations to driver’s education building for $77,407, paid with QZAB funds.

* Approved Hanceville High School’s request for electrical upgrade for $72,600, paid with QZAB funds.

* Approved Welti Elementary School’s request re-roofing and renovations to the cafeteria for $33,779.00 paid with QZAB funds.

* Approved Child Development Center’s request for electrical, AC and renovations for $232,416.00 paid with QZAB funds.

*Approved Cullman Area Technology Academy’s request to approve the Health Science Clinical Internship Training Agreement, Responsibilities of the Clinical Sponsor/Mentor for Independent Clinical Sites and Clinical Eligibility.

* Approved Technology Department’s request to purchase ClassLinks Single Sign on Services — three-year contact for $78,787.40, funding source – Technology Sales Tax.

* Approved proposed 2018-2022 Capital Plan Minutes and Plan as proposed.

* Approved interagency agreement with Wellstone, Inc. (Cullman Area Mental Health) for the 2017-18 School Year.

* Superintendent Report: Superintendent Shane Barnette reported that the missed school days Sept. 11-12 will not be made up because Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s emergency declaration. There will be no school Monday, Sept. 25 will be Fair Day, and parent-teacher conferences.

Note: The Times will publish personnel items approved by the board when names are released.

The next meeting will be 6 p.m. Oct. 12.

Tiffeny Owens can be reached at 256-734-2131, ext. 135.