Beloit School District previews conservative preliminary 2025-26 budget, cites cuts and limited one‑time reserves

Beloit School District staff presented a preliminary, balanced 2025-26 budget on June 24 that relies on expenditure reductions, limited use of OPEB (other post‑employment benefits) reserves and awaits final state aid numbers before any adoption.

The presentation, given by Stephanie Ellwood, staff member, and introduced by Dr. Garrison, staff member, laid out a conservative revenue estimate, staffing realignments tied to projected membership and a number of expenditure reductions already approved or proposed for the coming year. “The budget that we’re presenting tonight is a balanced budget. It is very conservative,” Ellwood said.

The nut graf: The district presented the package to meet the board’s timeline while acknowledging uncertainty from the state budget process; the presentation emphasized that final state aid and membership counts will not be certified until October and that several large funding decisions remain unresolved.

Ellwood told the board the staff used a three‑year average to project membership at 6,203 pupils (compared with last…