Anderson 5 board approves FY 2025‑26 budget on first reading with no millage increase
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Summary
The board approved first reading of the district's FY 2025‑26 budget, which includes pay increases for employees, additional security and intervention staff, and assumes no operating millage increase; state revenue uncertainties may require later adjustments.
The Anderson 5 Board of Trustees approved the fiscal year 2025‑26 budget on first reading Thursday, endorsing pay increases for staff and a package of programs while declining to request an operating millage increase.
Under the draft budget presented by district staff, teachers would receive a $2,000 increase on the salary schedule, teacher assistants would receive $3 per hour increases across pay scales, HVAC technicians $4 per hour on their scales, and most other staff would receive a 2% salary increase plus step increases where eligible. The board also approved a revised principal salary schedule with fewer steps and higher pay, and approved funding for additional middle‑school security positions, secondary interventionists and multilingual staffing aligned with state ratios.
"We have a balanced budget with no millage increase," Superintendent Dr. Kelly said. The budget assumes a 4.6% health‑insurance cost increase paid by employers under the current legislative posture; district staff said a recent change in state action moved the employer share of the increase to the employer rather than employees, easing pressures on household costs.
Board members praised several items included in the package, including competitive principal pay changes and added intervention staff. Concerns were raised about salary‑schedule equity across job groups and the need to be competitive for bus drivers to reduce late runs and double routes.
District finance staff said the budget is balanced under current assumptions but noted the General Assembly could change revenue allocations before the board's second reading and public hearing. "If additional state action reduces revenue before second reading, we will return to the board with recommendations," the finance director said, adding that conference committee action was expected in late May and final legislative action in June.
The board set the second reading and public hearing for the budget at the June meeting; the district will present any updated information from the state before the public hearing.
Key items in the FY 2025‑26 proposal include the personnel increases listed above; continuation of the elementary alternative class and mentoring program; increased security costs; utility and contract increases; and requested capital support for the Renaissance Academy. The board also asked staff to monitor potential state changes that could create budget shortfalls and to prepare possible follow‑up actions if needed.
The motion to approve the budget on first reading passed.