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Vermillion school board acknowledges preliminary 2025–26 budget, sets July 14 budget hearing
Summary
The Vermillion School District board reviewed a preliminary 2025–26 budget showing a modest enrollment decline and approved scheduling the public budget hearing for July 14 at 6:30 p.m.; the draft relies on an $880,000 opt-out and a 1.225% state aid increase and includes a one-time $300,000 transfer from capital outlay into the general fund.
The Vermillion School District 13-1 Board of Education on May 12 acknowledged a preliminary 2025–26 budget that assumes 1,340 students, a decline of 45 from last year, and set the public budget hearing for July 14 at 6:30 p.m.
Board members were told the draft budget reflects an anticipated 1.225% increase in state aid and the district’s continuing $880,000 annual opt-out. Finance staff said the draft offsets lower revenue from declining enrollment with a one-time $300,000 transfer from the capital outlay fund into the general fund to bring projected expenditures to roughly 3% above revenues.
District finance presenter Mr. Kosher said the combination of lower enrollment and conservative revenue assumptions required the transfer: "We have a $300,000 transfer in into the general fund" to help balance the year, he said. The board was also told the district has reclassified some positions and identified internal savings to free dollars for priorities.
The draft budget discussion included highlights for other funds: the debt service levy tied to the elementary bond is lower than originally forecast — described as moving from a 1.6 levy to about 1.3 — and the capital projects fund will close now that construction is complete. Food service, enterprise (drivers education and preschool), and special-education funding were also reviewed at a high level; special education revenues are expected to increase with student counts and spending down excess fund balance.
The board scheduled the required public hearing for July 14 at 6:30 p.m., to be followed by the regular meeting at 7 p.m. The board approved a motion to adopt a slate of items including the preliminary budget presentation and the July 14 hearing time; the motion was moved by Board member Mark and seconded by Board member Jacob and passed unanimously.
Board and finance staff said more detailed budget work will continue with the finance committee and be presented in June and at the July hearing.
Less-critical line items and a fuller explanation of capital outlay and program-by-program changes will be reviewed at the July public hearing and during the finance committee meetings this summer.
