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District committee reviews FY2025–26 budget; staff warns one‑year operating deficit tied to contract changes and new schedule
Summary
Business and Finance committee reviewed the FY2025–26 comprehensive meritorious budget, projected evidence‑based funding and fund balances, and recommended the budget be posted and the full board hold a public hearing; staff noted a planned one‑year operating deficit tied to negotiated contracts and the eight‑period schedule.
Finance leaders presented the district’s FY2025–26 budget materials and recommended posting the comprehensive meritorious budget and holding a statutory public hearing June 25, ahead of the fiscal year start July 1.
Key revenue and expense drivers: The presentation highlighted property‑tax revenues, state evidence‑based funding (EBF) projections, federal grants and other local revenues. Staff said they were projecting EBF at roughly 141.7 (figure cited by presenters) based on prior allotments and that some state allotments will be finalized in the fall. Salaries and benefits remain the largest expense drivers; administrators noted that a 1 percent salary increase equals about $2.4 million in additional cost and that benefit costs are material.
Fund balance and risk: The committee reviewed consolidated, unaudited estimated fund balances and said total fund balances across all funds were projected at about $214.6 million, representing roughly 46 percent of total expenditures across all funds. The district’s operating‑fund policy sets a target range of 30–50 percent; presenters said the district expects to remain within policy but anticipates a one‑year operating deficit in FY2026 because of contract changes and implementation costs associated with the eight‑period high‑school day.
Process and timelines: Staff said they will post the meritorious budget document (a detailed package used for ASBO meritorious budget recognition), produce a short public‑facing budget postcard and provide a podcast and other materials to explain budget highlights for the community. The committee agreed to move the budget to the full board for a public hearing and approval.
Other finance items: The committee authorized summer bill runs up to $20 million pending board approval, approved fund‑transfer resolutions for capital and debt service, and recommended a modest meal‑price increase for FY2026 (breakfast increases from $0.30 to $0.50 and paid‑lunch prices to increase by approximately 20 percent) to stabilize the nonprofit food service enterprise.
Next steps: Staff will post budget materials, hold the public hearing on June 25 and ask the full board to adopt the budget at its meeting; some state allotments will be finalized after the fiscal year begins and staff said they will adjust projections as necessary in fall reporting.
