GUTHRIE, Okla. — The Guthrie Public Schools Board of Education adopted the district’s 2025–26 operating budget on Oct. 13 after a presentation by Dr. Chappell, the district budget presenter. The board approved the budget by a 7-0 roll call.

Dr. Chappell told the board the district’s auditors (SMB, CPA & Associates) prepared an estimate of needs that set the general-fund estimate at $34,800,000. The district’s projected general-fund revenue for fiscal 2026 in the packet was $34,000,822, with budgeted expenditures of $31,000,338. That leaves a projected carry forward (fund balance) of $3,483,000, roughly 10% of expenditures, Dr. Chappell said.

Dr. Chappell said the district ended fiscal 2025 with a general-fund fund balance of about $3,721,000 (12% of the fund), up from prior years, and noted that the auditors use conservative revenue assumptions (90% of ad valorem collections) while the district often realizes 95–96% in practice. He also explained a net assessed valuation (NAV) increase of about 9.68% for fiscal 2025 and said the sinking-fund millage for the year is 19.42 mills, within the district’s bond commitment not to exceed 20 mills.

The budget presentation broke revenues into state aid, local (ad valorem and mortgage tax), federal and county sources. Dr. Chappell discussed decreased federal sources post-CARES Act and funding adjustments that will be made when the State Department of Education issues midterm adjustments in January after the district’s Oct. 1 student count is finalized.

Board members asked clarifying questions about ad valorem collections, county apportionment and child nutrition carryover; Dr. Chappell described recent one-time receipts that increased the fiscal 2025 ending balance and listed capital purchases (two buses, an agricultural truck, field lighting and a new roof on the baseball complex) that used some of the one-time funds.

The board approved the budget with a unanimous roll call. Dr. Chappell and Superintendent Dr. Michael Simpson will return with midyear updates and any recommended adjustments after the state’s midterm allocation is released.