At their regular monthly board meeting, Durham Public Schools board members approved an amendment to the current budget.

The updated budget shows DPS received additional money from the state for efficient use of transportation, but the school system is still reeling from a $1.3 million budget reduction, which was recently announced by state officials.

"There has been some small allotments and some large allotments that offset some of the reductions from the state," said Ray Huff, the executive director for financial services at DPS at a committee meeting on the amendment in early January.

At the meeting, committee members also learned there is only about $2 million left in the school system's fund balance, which is like a savings account for the organization.

School board member Heidi Carter said she was concerned about the low number.

Board member Stephen Martin said in a recent audit, consultants recommended DPS have a fund balance of about $18 million, or enough to cover two months of operating costs.

"There's a lot of debate in how much money a school should have in their fund balance" said Hank Hurd, DPS's chief operating officer.

The $18 million was simply a recommendation for a school system as large as DPS, according to Hurd.

The discussion was a part of the approval process for the updated DPS budget for the current fiscal year.

"There's always a fine line in taking taxpayer money and saving it for a rainy day," said Hurd about the low fund balance.

In the original budget, DPS had originally budgeted a $1 million deduction from the fund balance to cover costs. But the amended budget calls for $2 million to be made available.

In an effort to give perspective, board member Stephen Martin reminded board members that six years ago, the fund balance was only at about $1 million.

"We have been able to build it up," he said at the committee meeting.

Martin also reminded the committee that the fund balance exists, in part, to provide funding during tough financial times. Martin suggested now was the time to use that kind of "emergency fund."

Officials said the additional $1 million from the fund balance would only be used if it was necessary.

Staff reminded the board the budget was only an estimate, and it was likely to change.