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PSS spending down by $406K
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Posted on May 12 2000
Experience has taught the Public School System to take extra caution in disbursing allocated funds for its current fiscal year operations, spending only some $406,000 to date despite being more than halfway to the next fiscal year.
On the same time frame last year, PSS already spent over $758,000 out of its annual $2.9 budget for operations.
This translates to more than $300,000 decline in expenditure from October to May of FY 2000.
At surface, the significant difference could be viewed “contrary” to the school system’s function as the expenditure authority for services it should be tapping, according to acting Fiscal Budget Officer William Matson.
Mr. Matson explained that over the last two years, the school system has somehow grown accustomed to being careful with the meager budget it has been provided and thus, learned how to distinguish between necessities versus needless spending.
“We have been a lot wiser and careful with how we spend our money,” said Mr. Matson.
PSS officials have wondered over the slow pace of operations spending this year compared to the last fiscal year.
This, even as the operations expense budget has remained constant.
Mr. Matson has assured PSS will get down to some serious spending in the latter part of the year when it closes last-minute obligations.
Since the government grants PSS its funds on a quarterly basis, he also cited the need to let the funds build up to afford the costs of paying for the services PSS has rendered from various vendors.
PSS is still awaiting the remaining portions of the $2.9 yearly operation expenses allotment from the government, according to budget officer.
“I believe we’ll have all these funds more or less spent up. It’s just that we’re very careful. We are going to spend on the things that we really need later in the year,” Mr. Matson assured. (MM)
