Austin Public Schools spent about $60 to $70 million during the 2014-15 school year, which district officials described as fairly normal.

Kimberly Hillberg of CliftonLarsonAllen LLP presented the 2014-15 audit report to the Austin Public Schools Board Tuesday in the District Conference Office Room during a special meeting. The board unanimously approved the audit report.

“I don’t want to say a typical year, it seems like every year has it’s own challenges and unique things that come up, but I think overall it came in about where we expected and hopefully we can continue on that trend,” Executive Director of Finance and Operations Mark Stotts said.

Stotts said about 85 percent of the budget was spent through the general fund, which pays for salaries, transportation, building costs and more. But he emphasized the budget is built to make sure students receive the best education possible.

“We really try to focus dollars on classrooms,” he said. “Our administrative costs compare to state averages, and districts similar to our size are below those averages, so we really try to focus on the classroom.”

Stotts said the general fund balance is in good shape, but noted the district has spent down the unassigned fund balance during the last two years, which isn’t uncommon for districts to do.

“I think we’re going to have to reverse that trend,” he said. “We aren’t looking at making any major budget reductions or anything of that nature, but I think we have to tighten our belt a little bit. Even though we are in good shape financially we want to make sure we stay there. So that to me was kind of the key point.”

He said every year is different depending on construction projects and other projects. This year was a little different with some of bigger projects such as the renovations to Knowlton Auditorium. There was also the dome and turf work to Wescott Field and Athletic Complex, but most of those costs will be on the 2015-2016 audit report since the end of the fiscal year for the district is June 30.

The report is presented to the board every year, and Stotts described it as a good way to update the board on day-to-day operations.

“The board is responsible for approving the budget, they’re responsible for making decisions regarding the school district, they’re not involved in the day to day management,” Stotts said. “And I think if you don’t work with this information on a daily basis, they need that update.”

“So I think it’s a good review to them as to where the money is going and what we’re trying to do as a district,” he added.