Park Hill presents FY2026 budget calendar and assumptions, proposes changing capital reserve metric

At its Feb. 13 meeting, Park Hill Board of Education finance staff presented the district's budget calendar and the assumptions that will guide preparation of the fiscal year 2026 budget.

The presentation, led by Doctor Kelly, laid out operating, special revenue (Fund 2), capital and debt-service fund balances, enrollment and assessed‑valuation projections, and specific budget assumptions recommended for the coming year. "This is not for action, but certainly if you see something that you have a question on or if you think that we may be headed down the wrong path, we certainly would need your feedback," Doctor Kelly said during the presentation.

The budget paper emphasized the district's long‑used operating reserve guideline of 18% to 22% of prior‑year operating expenditures. Kelly projected the district will finish the year with an operating fund balance near 20.1%, inside that range. By contrast, the district plans a large transfer to zero out Fund 2 (the district's certified payroll/special revenue fund); Kelly said staff anticipates bringing a transfer request of about $40,000,000 at the June board meeting to balance Fund 2 for fiscal year 2025.

Why it matters: Board members were asked to weigh a plan that would use accumulated capital balances to pay for a multi‑year program of facility work tied to the district's aging‑facilities goals. That choice affects near‑term tax levy allocation because debt service needs rise after a recent bond sale.

Key fiscal details and assumptions presented

- Operating fund balance…