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Board reviews budget assumptions, midterm amendment and considers moving final adoption later
Summary
District finance staff reported a preliminary midterm amendment adding $2.4 million and reviewed FY26 budget assumptions, including a 1% raise for employees; board discussed shifting the final budget adoption one month later to allow for additional state and local information.
Carroll County Schools finance staff reported budget updates and sought board input on the FY26 calendar during the March 17 work session.
Finance Director Mister Lynn Wolf presented the January financials and a budget outlook that included a preliminary midterm amendment from the state showing a $2.4 million increase to be presented in Amendment No. 2 next month. Wolf said the amendment is tied to a statewide cap on the local five-mill share set by state law.
For fiscal year 2026 planning, Wolf outlined budget assumptions and a framework that includes a 1% increase in the local supplement for certified employees and a 1% raise for classified employees (an overall 1% raise assumption). The draft budget framework also assumes enrollment growth of about 2.6% and estimates state revenue increases driven by enrollment and step increases.
Board Chair Mister Miller asked whether the board would object to moving the tentative/final adoption timeline back one month to allow more definitive state and county numbers; staff and trustees agreed the later timeline would provide more complete information before final action. Wolf said the state allotment sheet is expected in April and county local estimates in May; shifting the calendar back would allow the board to consider those figures before final adoption.
Wolf also described expenditure drivers including mandatory state benefit cost increases for health insurance and TRS, operating cost increases and proposed one-time investments for school equipment. The budget framework presented the district-level estimates in both revenue and expenditure sections and listed proposed position increases by school for FY26.
Board members asked staff to present impact scenarios (for example, different raise levels) once state and local numbers arrive so trustees can review options before final action.
No final budget adoption occurred at the March 17 work session; the board discussed calendar timing and directed staff to return with updated numbers and scenarios.
