WJCC reviews FY26 operating budget proposal; health-care renewal and staffing drive larger local request

Superintendent Dr. Keever and finance staff reviewed the division's FY26 operating budget proposal and described the factors behind an increased request to local funding partners.

The budget matters because it outlines personnel, compensation and program changes the division says are necessary to maintain services and comply with state requirements; staff told the board the gap between estimated state revenue and proposed expenditures would be sent to the city and county as the local funding request.

Staff presented estimated state revenue increases tied to the governor's proposed amendments and General Assembly actions that could add roughly $2.4 million to WJCC revenue. Staff compared that to total proposed expenditure adjustments of about $16.3 million, leaving an initial $13.9 million request to localities (about a 12.9 percent increase over FY25 appropriations). Using the state's estimated additional funding would reduce the local request to about $12.0 million, staff said.

Major expenditure drivers include compensation-related items of about $10 million (a general three percent salary increase and targeted adjustments reflecting the Bolton compensation study, plus associated benefit costs estimated at $7.1 million for years two and three of the study), mandatory items of roughly $3.3 million (including special education and bus-driver commitments), and roughly $3.1 million for new or reallocated positions (about 49 FTE in the proposed budget). Staff also identified $720,000 in proposed savings and a $340,000 request to pay AP exam fees for all students enrolled in AP courses.

On health care, staff reported a renewal from The Local Choice (TLC) that would raise premiums by 8.9 percent overall, an increase the division estimated at roughly $2.4 million; sharing that increase 70/30 with employees would mean a $1.7 million division cost. Staff noted one plan, Centerra, carries a 21.3 percent increase. WJCC's current employer contribution amounts presented were $9,336 annually for employee-only coverage, $14,976 for employee-plus-spouse and $22,524 for family coverage; 538 employees currently cover spouses under the plan.

Human-resources data showed 1,730 employee intent-survey responses, with 85 percent indicating intent to return, 3.7 percent seeking a transfer, 9 percent uncertain and 2.1 percent resigning or retiring. Staff described supervisor follow-up with uncertain and resigning staff and efforts to retain employees.

Board members asked for additional breakdowns and color-coding showing which requested FTEs are already staffed versus newly proposed and for further scenarios at the March 18 budget meeting; staff said they would return with additional detail and noted a special-called meeting is scheduled for March 25, 2025, to approve the budget after further review.

SOURCES: Dr. Keever, Superintendent; Renee Ewing, budget staff; Carol (employee intent survey presenter).