The Board of Education voted to approve resolutions adopting the 2025–26 budget, which projects $124,600,000 in total revenues and $144,000,000 in total expenditures, and authorizes use of fund balance to cover a $14,100,000 debt payment.

The budget matters because it sets spending priorities for the coming year and relies on a one-time fund-balance draw to meet scheduled debt-service obligations while carrying capital projects forward.

Staff presented the budget summary to the board, saying that property taxes make up roughly 57 percent of projected revenues, general state aid about 29.4 percent and federal grants about 4.9 percent. Salaries and benefits account for about 68.7 percent of expenditures; the presenter said the remaining roughly 20.2 percent covers debt service, capital payouts and operating costs. The presentation also noted capital projects carrying over from the prior year, including a solar installation in a parking lot and ongoing transportation and maintenance work. Staff said the district will monitor budget lines and provide quarterly updates.

Board members addressed procedural items connected to budget adoption. Mr. Griese moved to approve the consent agenda, including a personnel addendum; Dr. Bidwell seconded that motion, and the board approved it on a roll call where Mr. Griese, Dr. Bidwell, Mr. Gilmore, Mr. Homa, Mr. Headley and Mr. Mosselli recorded “yes.” The board then took formal action to adopt the resolutions related to the 2025–26 budget. The record shows roll-call responses in two motions related to the budget and activity funds; recorded “yes” votes included Mr. Gilmore and Mr. Headley on one roll call, and Mr. Headley, Mr. Freese, Mr. Mosselli, Mr. Gilmore and Dr. Goodfellow on a subsequent roll call. The motions were approved as recorded by the board.

Separately, staff noted there are two related motions in the packet: a suggested motion to adopt the budget and a separate motion pertaining to activity funds. Staff also indicated a BSB form in the packet requires signatures from all board members; two copies were provided for signature at the meeting.

Public comment on the 2025–26 budget was solicited at the start of the hearing; no members of the public offered remarks. The board chair declared the hearing closed before the motions were taken.

Next steps described at the meeting include executing the required signature forms and continuing quarterly budget monitoring and reporting to the board.