Baldwin-Whitehall board adopts $90.9 million 2025-26 operating budget, keeps millage at 25 mills

The Baldwin-Whitehall School District board on Monday approved a $90,912,458 operating budget for the 2025–26 school year and voted to levy real estate taxes at 25 mills, maintaining the current millage rate. The motion passed 6–0 with three members absent.

Superintendent Doctor Lutz recommended the budget and read the key provisions into the record, saying, “My recommendation is along with mister Chirpax that the board approve the Baldwin Whitehall School District 02/2526 operating budget of $90,912,458 ... and a school tax on real estate to be levied and assessed at the rate of 25 mils as outlined in the accompanying resolution.”

The district projects a roughly $228,000 deficit going into the 2025–26 year but will fund that gap from its available fund balance. Business staff warned the board of a 17% increase in comprehensive insurance costs this year—about a $104,000 rise driven by higher property values and an elevated workers’ compensation modification rate after recent claims.

Nut graf: The budget vote was the most substantive action of the June meeting. While the board held a series of routine consent votes covering personnel, contracts and purchases, the budget adoption is the district’s central fiscal decision for the coming year and preserves the current tax rate for property owners.

Board members approved a number of related business items under consent during the meeting, including authorization to accept bids for technology (Chromebooks, licenses, desktops and monitors), renewal of comprehensive insurance coverage, authorization to accept bids for trash and recycling services (a three‑year contract with ProWaste LLC at $4,000 per month), and multiple construction change‑order adjustments for ongoing projects. The business manager noted the budget figures remain unchanged from May pending further state action.

Votes at a glance (selected actions recorded in the meeting minutes): - 2025–26 operating budget: Approved 6–0 (3 absent). Budget total: $90,912,458; millage: 25 mills; projected deficit ~$228,000. - Business consent items (3.2–3.7): Approved 6–0 (3 absent). - Personnel consent items (5.2): Approved 6–0 (3 absent). - Facilities/operations consent (6.2–6.15): Approved 6–0 (3 absent). - Certification of temporary professional employees: Approved 6–0 (3 absent). - Hire of van driver Joseph Priano (category 8): Approved 5–0, 1 abstention, 3 absent. - Hire as substitute custodian for Joseph Priano: Approved 5–0, 1 abstention, 3 absent. - Nonpersonnel action items 8.2–8.25: Approved 6–0 (3 absent). - Nonpersonnel action items 9.2–9.21 (curriculum and program agreements, out‑of‑state conferences, etc.): Approved 6–0 (3 absent).

Board members and administrators said they will continue to monitor state funding and other revenue lines; the business office confirmed there were no late updates from the state before the vote. The board thanked the business staff for producing the budget without a millage increase.

Ending: The board completed the budget and routine approvals and moved on to other agenda items, including facilities planning and program reports. The board will reconvene for its regular August meeting as scheduled.