Colonial School Board approves final FY25 budget after deficit spending, staff vacancies cited

The Colonial School Board on Jan. 14 approved the district's final fiscal year 2025 budget following a presentation by Chief Operating Financial Officer Emily Falcon.

Falcon told the board the final budget reflects a modest revenue increase in some state allocations but continued deficit spending for FY25, noting the district has been operating under a board‑approved preliminary budget since the start of the fiscal year. "It takes us this long to get to the final budget because we do need to wait for enrollment to be certified," Falcon said.

The presentation summarized revenue and expenditure changes: local revenue rose about 1% year over year, federal revenue showed a roughly 12% decrease driven mainly by competitive federal grant projections, and discretionary state revenue showed little to no increase with most state funding gains tied to targeted investments such as salary supports and the student success block grant. Falcon said the district is still using some reserves and expects it may take until a third year after the recent referendum before reserves are replenished, depending on expenditure growth.

Falcon described how the district built a state reduction plan tied to a broader statewide funding cut that dates to FY2018. She explained the plan relies in part on long‑standing, unfilled positions: "The 13 teacher units that you see here, that does not represent jobs that were cut. These are long standing vacancies that we have not been able to fill," she said, adding that using those vacancies prevents leaving state money unspent.

On expenditures, Falcon said position management remains tight and the district will prioritize restricted and opportunity funding to sustain programs. She described several targeted investments included in the final budget: consolidating marketing and public communications line items, adding funding for maintenance and custodial services, and creating a new tuition‑reimbursement line for the teacher bargaining agreement (CEA). Falcon also said transportation costs rose only about 1% and that homeless transportation costs are trending lower than in past years.

Board members asked clarifying questions during and after the presentation about reserve timing and specific enrollment changes. Falcon noted the district recorded another enrollment decline this year "close to 200" students, while unit generation increased because student needs rose; she also reported that Leech had about 98 tuition‑eligible students at the time of the meeting. Technical support for the presentation was provided by Joe Kite.

After discussion, Mr. Walls moved to approve the FY25 final budget; Dr. Dorsey seconded. Board members approved the budget by voice vote. The motion passed and the FY25 final budget was recorded as approved.

The board documents and the final budget packet include more detailed line‑item schedules, the district's reduction plan, and an enrollment/unit generation report.

Votes (voice): motion to approve FY25 final budget — moved by Mr. Walls, seconded by Dr. Dorsey; outcome: approved (voice vote; counts not specified in the transcript).