Superintendent, CFO present 2026–27 budget calendar; board asks for contingency planning
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Summary
Superintendent Rosser and CFO McDowell presented a draft budget calendar for the 2026–27 fiscal year and scheduled two community budget forums. Commissioners urged contingency planning for possible federal and state funding shortfalls tied to broader fiscal pressures.
Superintendent Rosser and Chief Financial Officer McDowell presented the district's draft 2026–27 budget calendar at the Oct. 14 work session and asked the board to advance the calendar to the Oct. 30 business meeting for formal approval.
McDowell outlined the schedule: community forums the week of Oct. 20 and Oct. 28, superintendent and CFO presentations on initial budget assumptions in mid-December, staffing recommendations in late January, cabinet-level balancing in February, and planned board deliberations and adoption in April–May with publication in mid-May and city council actions in June. Rosser said the administration is shifting practice to solicit community input on budget priorities aligned to the district strategic plan before finalizing staff budget guidance.
Commissioner LeBron urged the administration to develop contingency plans in case federal or state education funding is reduced, noting the state faces a large projected budget gap and agencies that currently support services could be affected. Rosser said the administration is already considering possible impacts and will present a budget that contemplates reduced federal and state aid. The board voted to move the calendar forward to the Oct. 30 business meeting for approval.
The calendar will be revised once the city provides dates for its hearings. Administration said it will present community forum findings to inform budget-priority setting and will return to the board with staffing and program recommendations as outlined in the calendar.
