Grand Forks board approves FY26 budget, certifies 129.85-mill levy amid projected deficit

The Grand Forks School Board on Monday approved the district's fiscal year 2026 budget and certified a total tax levy of 129.85 mills, despite presentations from administration showing the general fund likely will end the year with expenditures exceeding revenues.

The district's finance lead, Mr. Baumbach, told the board administration's final figures put the district on a path to "expenditure over revenue by 4,400,000.0" for FY26 after updated enrollment and revenue estimates. The board voted 9-0 to adopt the budget and levy; the motion was moved by Dr. Hodak and seconded by Mr. Cleven.

Administrators said several factors combined to worsen the district's fiscal picture: an unexpected drop in fall enrollment (reported as 157 fewer students since the preliminary budget), reductions in some federal Title grants, and state property-tax caps that limit growth in levy revenue. "When you take that times their per pupil calculation of just over $11,000 each, that has…