The Cassopolis Board of Education adopted its 2013-14 final budget at a regular meeting Monday night.

The district finished the 2013-14 year with a deficit of $484,482.

Total expenditures for Cassopolis Public Schools were $10,167,805 while total revenues were $9,683,323.

Cassopolis has a fund balance of $877,305 to end the year.

Despite the shortfall, Cassopolis Superintendent Tracy Hertsel knew that number could have been much bigger had it not been for the work the school board did last summer to fix the budget and the tough choices they had to make.

“We made substantial cuts last year,” Hertsel said. “We made some tough choices and because of those choices, we were able to keep that number much lower.”

Hertsel also said that despite the flooding that caused substantial damage to Ross Beatty Jr./Sr. High School this past winter, the district was able to benefit thanks to its insurance coverage.

“A lot positives are coming from that,” he said. “We are doing a lot of neat things in the district. Things that really have lacked attention are really getting attention through this process. The high school is getting a huge face lift and we are able to address a lot of safety things too.”

The board also adopted its preliminary 2014-15 budget, which calls for the district to break even and keep its fund balance of $877,305.

Cassopolis passed a state aid borrowing resolution for $1.5 million. The loan helps the district pay its bills until the state aid is received. Last year, Cassopolis borrowed $1.8 million.

In other action, the board:

• Adopted an internal audit procedures manual

• Scheduled its reorganization meeting for July 14