The auditing firm report to the Russell County School Board was positive, including a caveat that performance in the food service line item was exemplary.

Brian Woolsey told the board that the food service department had gone from a 28,000 loss the previous year to an $82,000 positive carry-over for last fiscal year.

He told the board that the turnaround was due to tight fiscal controls, better purchasing processes and adjustments to staffing.

That good news came after the treasurer's report indicating that the district had about $301,000 in their accounts at the end of October. Tax receipts for the year begin in November, with the bulk of the disbersment usually in to the school district by December or January.

District Superintendent Scott Pierce praised the district's audit, and credited Marla Carnes with the turnaround in the food services budget.

He went on to praise the Russell County High School Band for their third-place finish in state competition.

Pierce added to his praise of the performers' efforts by commenting on the hard work and dedication exemplified by the new band director Curtis Irvin and all the band staff.