Ferguson‑Florissant board adopts preliminary FY26 budget amid warnings of continued deficit spending

The Ferguson‑Florissant R‑II Board of Education adopted the district's preliminary fiscal year 2025–26 budget at its meeting, approving a spending plan that projects $157,284,055 in expenditures against $151,848,828 in revenues.

Finance staff said the plan continues a pattern of deficit spending and leaves the district with an overall fund balance projected at about 6.8% and an unrestricted fund balance of roughly 2%. "We must we must pass an operating tax levy increase," the district's finance presenter said, adding that the district likely will need a tax anticipation note and is preparing for a $25,000,000 borrowing if necessary.

The adopted preliminary budget reduces spending in multiple areas after a multi‑year drawdown of reserves. The presentation listed staffing reductions (including elimination of some administrative positions and attendance secretaries), consolidated bus routes, closure of one innovation school and merging of two STEAM schools, and benefit cost increases tied to rising health care and workers' compensation expenses. Enrollment is projected to fall to about 8,778 students, which the finance presenter said will reduce state funding tied to average daily attendance.

Board members pressed administration to continue close monitoring of personnel costs and to present updated staffing and vacancy numbers in August. Several trustees said they expect finance staff to pursue all available revenue options; the presenter identified November and April elections as possible opportunities to place tax measures before voters and repeated that passing an operating levy would be the most certain way to reduce deficit spending.

The motion to adopt the district budget for fiscal year 2025–26 passed on a recorded roll call with all voting members recorded as "yes." The board chair and finance staff said the budget book (about 70 pages) remains subject to amendment and that monthly financial reports will continue to track revenue and expenditures.

Board members also discussed the timing of property tax receipts, the end of ESSER federal funds as a major change from prior years, and the inclusion of transportation aid anticipated in the governor's budget.

The board instructed administration to refine the budget as needed and to return with adjustments and additional detail; trustees signaled they will continue to monitor positions, benefits costs and cash‑flow needs ahead of the new school year.