Enterprise City Schools board approves fiscal 2026 budget, five-year capital plan and policy changes

The Enterprise City Schools Board of Education voted to approve the district's fiscal year 2026 budget after a presentation by district finance staff and a recommendation from Dr. Thomas. Jesse James, the staff member who presented the budget, outlined revenue sources, spending priorities and key changes for the coming year.

The approval follows a budget presentation that showed an ending fund balance across funds of $48,300,000 — including a general fund balance of $35,000,000, $3.6 million in special revenue and $7,000,000 in capital projects. James told the board the district's income is predominantly state funds (about 60%), local funds (roughly 26%) and federal funds (about 14%), with smaller amounts from donations, legislative appropriations and tuition.

Why it matters: The budget funds personnel and ongoing construction projects and sets capital spending that will affect bus purchases, an indoor practice facility payoff and other district projects. The board's approval sets the district's spending plan for fiscal 2026 (Oct. 1, 2025–Sept. 30, 2026) and authorizes submission of the required five-year capital plan to the Alabama State Department of Education.

Key figures and priorities presented

- Ending fund balance (all funds): $48,300,000; general fund: $35,000,000; special revenue: $3,600,000; capital projects: $7,000,000. - Revenue mix: roughly 60% state, 26% local, 14% federal. - Construction: about $5,900,000 remains to pay on the indoor practice facility; additional capital outlay is budgeted for ongoing and upcoming projects. - Staffing and units: current snapshot showed a net change of roughly +1.41 certified teacher units (1.91 teachers gained, 0.5 assistant principal unit lost); the presenter cautioned the official unit and enrollment counts are finalized 20 days after Labor Day and are still subject to change. - Fleet and transportation: the district reports a fleet renewal account of a little over $2,000,000; the district plans to use approximately $515,000 plus part of existing reserves to purchase six buses this year. The district reported 73 route buses, 73 routes and 10 spares; spare buses are not eligible for route funding. - Benefits and retirement: district-paid insurance rose from $9,600 to $10,848 per employee (an increase the presenter said equals about $104 per month per employee). Employer retirement contribution rates were shown by tier (examples given: tier 1 at 14.57%, tier 2 at 13.61%). - Child nutrition: projected beginning fund balance of $1,500,000 and a projected ending balance of $481,000 (a one-month operating reserve). James said most child-nutrition operations run at a loss and that only summer feeding and supper programs are profitable. - Debt: the presentation noted a 20-year bond issued in 2024 for the indoor practice facility with a payoff year of 2044 and an earlier 2017 note with a low interest rate (reported as 2.38%).

District program notes

James described the RAISE Act, a state appropriation that consolidated four previous state funding pots (gifted, poverty, English learner and ESL funds) into a single fund. He said the consolidation creates administrative complexity because two different director positions used to manage the separate pots and the district now has a single consolidated pot that requires coordination.

James also highlighted special-revenue and federal programs: Title I allocations increased by roughly $250,000 this year and Title III increased by about $3,500 in a late allocation. The presenter described how special-education “high-needs” grant awards are used to add targeted teacher units at specific schools and noted one non–Title I elementary (Holly Hill) received additional special-education and ESL units and three new support staff (two special-needs aides and one classroom aide), two of which were unfilled at the time of the meeting.

Direct quotes from the meeting

Jesse James said of his staff who compiled the budget, "This budget could not be done without these 3 ladies" referring to Emily Crowell, Terry Morgan and Mandy Waters.

On child nutrition, James said, "We're just not adequately funded, for that." The remark accompanied slides showing program revenues and the district's one-month reserve requirement.

Board action and other approvals

Dr. Thomas recommended board approval of the fiscal 2026 budget. The board moved and seconded the motion and approved the budget by a voice/hand vote.

Votes at a glance (items approved during the same meeting)

- Approve FY 2026 budget (Oct. 1, 2025–Sept. 30, 2026). Motion moved; seconded; outcome: approved. (Vote tally not specified in the transcript.) - Approve five-year capital plan (FY 2026–2030) for submission to the Alabama State Department of Education. Motion moved; seconded; outcome: approved. (Vote tally not specified.) - Approve wording change to Enterprise City Schools board policy 5.1 (employee leave) to reflect the recently approved state paid parental leave law. Motion moved; seconded; outcome: approved. (Vote tally not specified.) - Approve three adult-care center meal contracts as a consent agenda item (Child Nutrition). Motion moved; seconded; outcome: approved. (Vote tally not specified.) - Approve personnel action items (transfers, retirements, resignations, employments). Motion moved; seconded; outcome: approved. (Vote tally not specified.)

What the board did not finalize or what remains subject to change

- Enrollment and unit counts. James emphasized the official Average Daily Membership and related unit allocations are finalized 20 days after Labor Day; the presentation used current snapshots that could change as families enroll or leave during the opening weeks of the school year. - Specific spending within the consolidated RAISE Act pot will require local director coordination and decisions by department leads.

Ending

Board members thanked staff for their work preparing the budget; the meeting concluded with an announcement of an upcoming regular board meeting on Sept. 30 at 5 p.m. and plans for a district tour.