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Schools’ finances better than expected

The Marietta City school district is expected to end the current fiscal year Sunday with more money than originally projected.

District Treasurer Matt Reed told board of education members during Wednesday’s regular meeting at the administration office that the carryover he’d previously estimated at $1.85 million will likely be more than $2 million by the time the books are closed on the 2013 fiscal year.

“A portion of it was getting insurance money back from the theft in office,” Reed said. “That would have been $100,000 of it.”

The district’s insurer paid that amount to cover a portion of the funds lost over a five-year period when former assistant treasurer Barbara Mincks reissued district checks that had gone uncashed to herself. She pleaded guilty earlier this year to stealing more than $145,000 from the district over five years, which she was ordered to repay.

The rest of the fiscal 2013 savings, which could total about $250,000, comes from various areas, including simply making conservative estimates to prevent the district from over-spending, Reed said.

In other business:

The board heard a presentation from Beachwood-based Smart Solutions, the company contracted to handle the district’s information technology systems, about projects they would be working on this summer. They include replacing existing computers in five labs with devices that all run on the same platform, buying 35 laptops to replace aging units and provide units for new staff members and installing uninterruptable power sources to keep computers running in the event of a power outage.

Quotes for the purchases will be provided to the administration and board soon, said Phil Florence of Smart Solutions.

The board approved a memorandum of understanding with Washington State Community College for dual enrollment classes that will be taught at Marietta High School but allow students to earn college credit. The courses for the upcoming school year will include English, Spanish and possibly psychology, said Tasha Werry, Race to the Top and Teacher Incentive Fund coordinator for the district.

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