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Springdale board approves 2025-26 budget, August financials and related-party agreement
Summary
The Springdale School Board approved the district's proposed 2025-26 budget, accepted August financial statements and authorized a related-party transaction involving Westwood Gardens; motions passed by roll call at the Sept. 9 meeting.
The Springdale School Board on Sept. 9 approved the district's proposed 2025-26 budget and accepted the August 2025 financial statements during a meeting at which multiple routine motions passed unanimously.
Chief finance staff (presenter unnamed in the transcript) summarized the budget and the district's decision to carry a larger fund balance into the new fiscal year to guard against enrollment-driven revenue declines expected for 2026-27. The presentation said the district began the prior fiscal year with a combined (funds 1, 2 and 4) balance of $30,336,008.92 and closed at $35,387,509. The staff projected an ending unrestricted balance just under $41 million for the 2025-26 fiscal year based on conservative revenue assumptions.
Budget highlights presented to the board included: - A $6 million transfer from operating into the building fund during close-out of the last fiscal year. - A modest projected revenue increase tied to roughly 9% assessment growth, with the presenter budgeting conservatively on miscellaneous local revenues. - Anticipated federal grant increases for special education and an expanded 21st CCLC after-school program, but an overall projected decrease of approximately $455,000 in title-funded federal aid compared with the prior year. - The presenter noted the district remains concerned about possible enrollment declines and resulting state funding changes for FY27 and therefore retained more fund balance than in prior years.
Votes at a glance (motions and outcomes recorded in the meeting): - Motion to approve the agenda as presented (mover: Mrs. Creek; seconder: Mr. Hutchinson). Outcome: passed. - Motion to approve the consent agenda (mover: Mrs. Cook; seconder: Mr. Ramos). Outcome: passed. - Motion to approve the 2025-26 proposed budget (mover: Mr. Hutchinson; seconder: Mr. Bell). Outcome: passed. - Motion to approve the August 2025 financial statements (mover: Mr. Ramos; seconder: Mrs. Cook). Outcome: passed. - Motion to approve a related-party transaction to continue district purchases from Westwood Gardens (teacher Mrs. Veil Black is related to a 10% owner). Motion (mover: Mr. Hutchinson; seconder: Mrs. Creek). Outcome: passed.
Board members asked about several revenue items that were not yet confirmed by the state (including an ELL budget allocation and one-time state grants from the prior year), and staff said they had deliberately budgeted conservatively and would return with updates as notices arrived.
A motion to approve the proposed 2025-26 budget passed on a motion by Mr. Hutchinson and a second by Mr. Bell. Financial statements for August 2025 were approved on a motion by Mr. Ramos and a second by Mrs. Cook. The related-party resolution to continue purchases from Westwood Gardens was approved after staff disclosed that Mrs. Black's husband holds a 10% interest in the company.
