The Midland Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously June 16 to adopt the district's 2025-26 general operating budget and to approve a final amendment to the 2024-25 budget.

Board action follows a staff presentation that said state budget numbers were not final and that the district's projections were locked on June 9. Anna (finance staff) told the board, "A reminder that a 1% variance of this budget is approximately $1,140,000," and warned that audit adjustments in July could change final fund-balance figures.

The budget and amendment matter because they set the district's spending plan, the millage requested from local taxpayers and the uses of one-time fund balances. The administration presented revenue assumptions used in the 2025-26 proposal, including a per-pupil foundation increase of $392 (producing a projected foundation allowance of $10,122) and an enrollment estimate held at about 7,400 pupils. The presentation showed the general fund revenue for 2025-26 estimated at roughly $107.6 million, with about 70.1% expected from the state, 19.4% from local property taxes and 1.4% federal.

Key budget decisions and figures

- The board approved the 2024-25 final budget amendment, which showed an increase in revenues of about $4.2 million primarily from the sale of the Esalon property, various grants and increased 147 categorical funds; related expenditures increased by about $2.2 million. Motion: Ringgold; support: McFarland. Roll call: 6-0 yes.

- The board adopted the 2025-26 general operating budget as presented. Motion: McFarland; support: Ringgold. Roll call: 6-0 yes.

- Millage and tax-rate actions: Staff recommended levying half of the district's hold-harmless and bond mills on the City of Midland's summer tax roll (splitting certain mills 50/50 between summer and winter collections). The board later approved the summer tax-rate resolution (motion by McFarland, supported by Ringgold; roll call yes).

- Fund balance and set-asides: The amendment included dedicated transfers setting aside $250,000 for future technology (bringing the total technology set-aside to $2,000,000) and $200,000 for bus replacement (bringing bus reserves to $1,000,000). The district reported a projected full fund balance of about 27.1% for the current year, with a projected reduction to roughly 25% under the proposed 2025-26 budget.

Discussion points and public comment

Public comment at the Truth in Budgeting hearing focused on transparency and the timing of availability of detailed financial records. Renita Bonadies pressed for more detailed and more timely online budget disclosures, including more current check registers and employee total compensation above $100,000. Joey Store and other community members urged more time for public scrutiny of budget line items before board votes.

Board members emphasized conservative budgeting given state revenue uncertainty and noted prior use of federal ESSER funds to support staffing. Several trustees said retaining a healthy fund balance had allowed the district to maintain programs after ESSER funding ended.

What the board decided and what happens next

The board's formal votes approved both the final 2024-25 amendment and the 2025-26 budget; staff will finalize figures after the July audit and update fund-balance numbers as needed. The administration flagged that audit adjustments could change the fund-balance estimate and reminded the public that budget figures could be amended later if actual revenues or expenditures differ from projections.

Members of the public who offered comments were told the board will continue to accept feedback and to work with state legislators as budgets evolve.