USD 305 adopts $173.9 million budget, sets local option budget at 33%

The USD 305 Board of Education approved its 2025-26 all-funds budget of about $173,900,000 and adopted a local option budget (LOB) set at the 33% statutory maximum, voting 6-0.

Lisa Peters, who presented the budget to the board, said the plan funds a 3.8% average salary increase for employees and expands employer-paid health benefits while keeping interventionists and social workers at every school. "The district's budget process is a year-round process," Peters said during the presentation, noting the board used building needs assessments and state assessment data to guide decisions.

The approved budget also increases leave for school-year support staff, continues professional development aligned with strategic goals and outsources substitute services to improve classroom coverage, Peters said. She told the board the base state aid per pupil increased to $5,615 and that special education funding still "falls below the statutory levels," a shortfall she said remains a district concern.

Board discussion noted the all-funds budget will produce a slight decrease to the overall mill levy of 0.171 mills. Peters said the budget was reviewed by the state in July and that she will certify the document with county and state officials as required by law.

The board voted on a motion to approve the 2025-26 budget as published; the motion carried 6-0. The board separately moved and approved the annual local option budget resolution, setting the LOB percentage at 33%, the presenter noted is the maximum allowed under state law.

Why it matters: Board members said the budget decisions aim to preserve instructional programs and stabilize staffing after several years of enrollment decline. The superintendent and presenters told the board the document reflects trade-offs driven by enrollment, funding and building needs assessments.

Next steps: Peters said she will file the certified budget with the county and state departments as required. Officials did not provide a specific date for certification during the meeting.