“We look forward to discussing with RPS whether use of these funds could help address additional RPS needs above and beyond the $6.1 million increase in teacher pay the mayor proposed in his budget,” Nolan said.

The School Board voted 7-1 on Feb. 21 to adopt an operating budget that is $21.2 million above the current year’s. About $4.4 million of that increase is expected to come from the state.

Young was the lone board member to vote against adopting what he feared would be a structurally imbalanced budget.

“We can solve some of our problems by repurposing dollars,” he said in an interview, adding that any savings the school system accrues should be seen as a positive for the city.

The school system’s finance chief, David Myers, said the practice of accruing end-of-year surpluses in an unassigned fund balance is long-standing and a good financial practice.

He said the school system shared the precise value of the fund balance last week — timing he considered appropriate given that the City Council is just beginning the two-month process of reviewing and amending Stoney’s proposal.