Vicksburg Warren School District presents $103.8 million proposed budget; warns millage limit could force adjustments

Vicksburg Warren School District finance staff presented a proposed fiscal year 2026 budget totaling $103,825,000 at a public hearing Thursday, June 26, 2025, telling the Board of Trustees the plan balances projected revenues and expenditures but depends on county millage decisions.

The budget hearing, opened by board leadership, was led by Miss Hughes, the district finance presenter. Hughes told attendees the district expects a June 30, 2026, fund balance of about $25,771,876 and described a revenue mix that includes local ad valorem taxes, state formula funding, and federal program dollars. “A budget is a working document. We are able to make changes to that budget as we go,” Hughes said.

The presentation outlined enrollment, staffing, revenue sources and planned projects. District enrollment declined by about 300 students from 2024 to 2025 to 6,507 students; the district reported roughly 583 teachers and professional staff, 151 instructional assistants, 34 building administrators and about 336 staff with advanced degrees. The district said the high school population is approximately 1,969 students and noted a 2024 graduation rate of 92.9 percent.

Why it matters: the district will rely heavily on local ad valorem revenue to meet the proposed spending level and said it cannot request more than 55 mills without a voter referendum. If assessed property values are lower than projected, one mill would generate about $693,000 under the district’s calculations; 55 mills would generate roughly $35,000,231 based on a net…