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Rescue Union School District adopts 2025–26 budget, approves reserves statement and Education Protection Account uses
Summary
The board adopted the 2025–26 budget and approved the accompanying statement of reasons for reserves and Education Protection Account funding; the budget projects approximately $50.0M in revenue and $52.5M in expenditures, and the board approved transfers to facilities and other budget priorities.
The Rescue Union School District Board of Trustees on June 17 approved the district’s 2025–26 budget, the required statement of reasons for holding reserves above the state minimum, and the Education Protection Account funding statement; all three items passed by recorded voice votes of 3‑0.
Tim Brown presented the budget overview, describing the multiyear projections and assumptions used for 2025–26. He told the board the district projects about $50,000,001.74 in revenues for 2025–26 and roughly $52.5 million in expenditures, producing an estimated deficit for the year. “We’re spending 2 and a half million dollars more than we’re getting in in a given year,” Brown said, explaining factors that include negotiated settlements, a required $500,000 curriculum adoption budget moved into 2025–26, rising special education costs including an expected residential placement, and increases to insurance and related costs.
Brown summarized other key budget items discussed in the meeting packet: a $500,000 curriculum adoption scheduled for 2025–26 (moved from earlier years), planned transfers of approximately $500,000 from expected solar savings into the facilities fund to build a rainy‑day facilities reserve, and continuing investments in educator professional development tied to an existing Educator Effectiveness Fund (staff said the district originally received about $800,000 over five years for that program).
Multiyear projections in the presentation showed the district’s ending general‑fund balance declining from about $10.5 million to an estimated $7.4 million over the three‑year forecast. Brown said the fund balance remains sufficient to meet the board’s 10% reserve goal and equals a little under two months of payroll. He noted a projected spike in deficit spending for 2025–26 related to settlements and a high‑cost residential special education placement, but showed a declining deficit in later years under current assumptions.
The board also approved the statement of reasons for holding reserves above state minima (board‑directed policy justification) and confirmed the district’s use of Education Protection Account funding for teacher salaries and benefits, a requirement tied to voter‑approved measures (Prop. 30/55). The motions to adopt the budget, approve the reserves statement and accept the Education Protection Account funding were each moved, seconded and approved 3‑0.
Brown told trustees the district will continue to monitor enrollment, ADA, and state budget actions that could affect projections and will report back at the interim budget reviews during the year.
