Board approves 2025–26 proposed budget and salary package; unanimous roll calls on consent items and resolutions

The Academy District 20 Board of Education adopted a proposed budget for fiscal year 2025–26 and approved the district’s salary recommendations after hearing staff presentations and public comment.

Budget and salary highlights - The district presented assumptions used to build the 2025–26 general fund budget: an estimated per‑pupil revenue of $11,035.35 (as provided by the School Finance Act), an anticipated headcount decrease of 43 students under the district’s conservative projection, and an estimated 3% increase in assessed valuation for the coming year. - New available resources for the budget were reported at about $7,380,000. The proposed budget uses a combination of that new revenue and fund balance; the presentation showed a planned use of unassigned fund balance of approximately $2,180,000 in the proposed budget. - Compensation: the recommended increase for existing staff is 3.5% total (2.0% recurring, 1.5% nonrecurring). The district reported the impact of benefit increases—Kaiser premiums rose an estimated 8.4%—and said some premium increases will be split 50/50 between district and employees. The presentation listed a planned increase in starting teacher pay from $51,002.50 to $52,020. - District personnel costs (salaries and benefits) make up roughly 70.2% of the general fund in the district’s budget model. The total district appropriation across all funds was presented as more than $650 million.

Bond oversight and building fund update - The Citizens Bond Oversight Committee reported that the 2016 bond is 99% complete and that $36 million of the 2024 bond proceeds were issued in the first tranche to fund non‑charter school projects and other district priorities. The committee described LED lighting work already completed at select gyms and the transportation facility; the second tranche of the 2024 bond (about $47 million) was described as likely to be issued later (circa 2027) as larger projects proceed.

Formal actions and roll calls (votes at a glance) - Motion to approve the agenda (roll call): Missus Connes — Aye; Mister Wilburn — Aye; Missus Yanez — Aye; Mister Salt — Aye; Missus Shandy — Aye. Outcome: approved. - Motion to approve the consent agenda (roll call): same five Ayes recorded; outcome: approved. - Resolution 2 16 25 — Acceptance of the District Accountability Committee end‑of‑year report: roll call (Missus Kans — Aye; Mister Wilburn — Aye; Missus Yanez — Aye; Mister Salt — Aye; Missus Shandy — Aye); outcome: approved. - Resolution 2 17 25 — Acceptance of the proposed budget for fiscal year 2025–26: roll call (Missus Kans — Aye; Mister Wilburn — Aye; Missus Yanez — Aye; Mister Salt — Aye; Missus Shandy — Aye); outcome: approved. - Resolution 2 18 25 — Approval of salaries for fiscal year 2025–26 (implements 3.5% increase): roll call (Missus Connes — Aye; Mister Wilburn — Aye; Missus Yanez — Aye; Mister Salt — Aye; Missus Shandy — Aye); outcome: approved.

Board discussion emphasized that most new resources were allocated to staff compensation and benefits, and staff noted the district expects to “true up” numbers in January after final enrollment and assessed valuation figures are known. Staff also emphasized ongoing financial monitoring and that nonrecurring elements of the package (1.5% of the 3.5%) reduce future recurring obligations.

Public comment during budget discussion included concerns from community members about special education staffing and other operational priorities (see separate article on public comments). The board set a budget hearing and final adoption process for the June meeting (adoption must occur by June 30 if not approved earlier).

Documents referenced: School Finance Act (state funding guidance); bond update documents presented by the Citizens Bond Oversight Committee.

All formal roll‑call votes recorded at the meeting were unanimous in favor of the motions described above.