Board approves FY26 budget, schedules November bond referendum; consent items and other routine measures pass

The Hopkins Public School District board on June 10 took several formal actions: it adopted the final 2025‑26 budget, approved routine agenda and consent items, accepted the treasurer’s disbursement report and authorized a November 4, 2025, bond referendum and renewal of the district’s capital projects levy.

Adopt fiscal year 2025‑26 budget: The board voted to adopt the final fiscal year 2025‑26 budget to close a projected structural gap after multi‑year reductions and realignments. The motion to adopt the budget passed by voice vote; the chair recorded the result as all ayes and the motion carried. The budget package included $130,575,130 in general fund revenue and matched expenditures after district realignments and identified $7 million in reductions and reassigned fund balance use during the planning process.

Authorize bond referendum and renew capital projects levy: The board also approved a resolution to submit a proposed $140 million bond referendum package to the Minnesota Department of Education for review and comment and to place two questions on a November 4 special election ballot: (1) a school building bond referendum (projects include safety and security upgrades, restroom and accessibility improvements, parking lot reconstruction, playgrounds and athletic facilities, and learning environment modernizations) and (2) a renewal of the expiring capital projects levy at its current level (funds used primarily for technology, transportation and instruments). The roll call vote on the referendum resolution was recorded as unanimous by the clerk: Chair Andresen, Treasurer Hartland, Director Roper, Vice Chair Ross, Clerk Thompson, Director Westmoreland and Director Zhao voted aye.

Consent calendar and routine approvals: The board approved the meeting agenda and consent calendar, which included routine personnel, contract renewals and other standard district business; the motion carried on a voice vote after no member asked to pull items for discussion.

Treasurer’s report and disbursements: The board approved total disbursements of $918,727.38 for the May 16–May 31, 2025 period, after the treasurer summarized recent legislative developments that affect school finance.

Executive session: The board moved into an executive session to conduct the superintendent’s year‑end review after the public portion of the meeting.

All formal actions listed above were taken during the June 10 public meeting; the district will publish adopted budget documents and the official referendum language following MDE review and the clerk’s filing requirements.