The Scottsboro City Board of Education received a positive financial audit, approved the purchase of two school buses and entered into a new agreement for drug detection canine services during its July 9 work session and regular meeting.
During the work session, board members heard presentations from Katie Condit of MDA Professional Group, P.C., and Claire Meeks of Schneider Electric before taking action on several agenda items during the regular meeting.
Condit presented the results of the annual audit of the school system’s financial records for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2025.
According to Condit, MDA Professional Group issued an unmodified opinion, the highest level of assurance available, indicating auditors found the financial statements to be presented fairly and in accordance with accounting standards.
Chief School Financial Officer Becky Smith told the board that the school system remains in a healthy financial position.
“Overall, the financial picture is healthy,” Smith said.
Smith reported the school system’s general fund balance stands at $11.8 million, well above the state-required one-month operating reserve of approximately $2.7 million.
Board members also received an update from Schneider Electric representative Claire Meeks regarding the district’s long-term energy conservation program.
Meeks reported the partnership has generated $3,630,044 in energy savings through April 2026.
She explained the school system entered into a 20-year, $5 million agreement with Schneider Electric approximately 12 years ago to implement energy efficiency improvements throughout the district. Since then, Scottsboro City Schools has paid between $25,000 and $30,000 annually for the company’s ongoing services.
The board later approved the 2026-27 agreement with Schneider Electric for $30,120.16.
Before the vote, Board Member Patrick Dicus said he would like to compare the district’s annual investment with Schneider Electric to the actual return in energy savings.
The board also approved several items related to the school system’s transportation fleet.
Those actions included approving the removal of surplus fleet vehicles, authorizing the purchase of two new school buses and awarding the district’s fleet insurance bid for the 2026-27 school year.
In another action aimed at school safety, the board approved an agreement with Interquest Canine, a third-party agency that provides trained detection dogs to search school campuses for vapes, illegal drugs and ammunition.
The agreement will cost the school system $750 per month.
Superintendent Jennifer Williams also announced that Nelson Primary School will receive a full-time School Resource Officer.
Williams said the position is being funded through a partnership between the City of Scottsboro and Scottsboro City Schools, expanding law enforcement coverage within the district.
The Scottsboro City Board of Education’s next meeting is scheduled for August 13, at 4 p.m. in the Page Administration Building.
