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Worthington board approves preliminary 2025-26 budget amid state funding uncertainty
Summary
The Worthington Public School District board approved a preliminary 2025-26 budget on a voice vote while staff warned the numbers will be revised once state legislation and hold‑harmless rules are finalized.
The Worthington Public School District board on Tuesday approved an initial 2025-26 annual budget that board members and staff described as preliminary pending state action and negotiations.
Carmen, a district staff member who presented the financial overview, said revenues were "tracking a little ahead at 96.55% compared to last year's 95.35%" and that expenditures were at 82.56% of projections, down from 85.54% the previous year. She said the numbers reflect that the district has received the majority of revenues for the fiscal year and noted the board approved a budget amendment in April that provided a clearer revenue picture.
The board discussed changes in capital spending tied to a delayed roof project called the Prairie Roof project. Board members said the capital expenditures increased from the figure presented at operations—reported as 2.575 in the operations packet—to 4.295 in the packet presented to the full board; staff attributed the change to the project not starting before the fiscal year end.
Board members and staff repeatedly cautioned that pending state legislation could alter revenue assumptions. A board member identified as Mr. Longart said the only clear legislative development so far was an expectation that "hold harmless" funding would likely continue for one more year, but that other changes — including reductions in compensatory education, library aid and some transportation reimbursements — were possible and unclear. Carmen said the district would update the budget when the state clarifies enacted amounts.
Board member Matt moved to approve the initial 2025-26 budget; Aaron seconded. The board approved the preliminary budget by voice vote.
The board and administration said the approval is intended to keep district operations moving — bills to pay and payroll obligations — while staff return with updated revenue projections and a revised budget once the state’s actions are finalized.
What happens next: administration will monitor legislative action, update revenue projections when MDE (Minnesota Department of Education) data is finalized, and present budget revisions to the board as needed.
