So far, so good, for the Fayette County School System, at least in terms of the projected fund balance for the year ending June 30. Barring any funding changes the school system might show a balance of $7.88 million in the general fund by the middle of this calendar year, about 4 percent of the total budget.

While the $7.88 million figure looked good on paper, Comptroller Laura Brock at the board meeting last week was quick to note that the idea of predicting year-ending figures in June consists of significant uncertainties with the economy at both the state and local levels.

With that caveat, Brock said that current projections show school system ending the fiscal year with a $3.371 million surplus.

Combined with the July 1, 2009 fund balance totaling $4.509 million, the school system would begin the coming fiscal year with a projected fund balance of $7.88 million.

For some perspective, the system’s total budget for this year is $185 million.

The board also heard a report on 1-cent sales tax revenue collections. As of Jan. 20 those collections totaled $11.232 million. Those collections began in May 2009.

The high point for collections came in September with receipts totaling $1.641 million, followed by December at $1.567 million.

Expenditures to date total $1.378 million and have been allocated to computer lease payments, textbook purchases and 21st Century technology initiative. A goal of the 1-cent collection process is to allocate $3 million to debt service.