Southgate board approves amended FY25 budget, three ballot propositions and two playground projects

The Southgate Community School District Board of Education on Jan. 28 approved an amended fiscal year 2025 general fund budget, finalized ballot language for a May 6 special election and authorized two playground purchases totaling up to $87,161.72.

The approvals came at a regularly scheduled board meeting in which board members voted unanimously on a consent agenda and on four separate action items after presentations and public comment closed.

Board members said the amended budget reflects a larger-than-expected enrollment increase and updated grant revenues, and the ballot propositions would renew and protect non-homestead operating millage revenue used for facilities, technology and security.

The amended FY25 budget presented by a district staff member lists a roughly 200-student enrollment increase as the primary revenue change, additional Unfunded Accrued Liability (UAL) state funding, and higher-than-expected grant revenue. The presenter said the district had received about $75,000 so far from a Section 31a “mental health” allocation and is expecting over $400,000 from that grant. The budget also…