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Board reviews proposed FY26 budget; district sets $4.3M reserve for funding uncertainty
Summary
District staff presented the proposed FY26 budget that shows higher appropriations and a new $4.3 million assigned reserve to address funding uncertainty; staff highlighted changes from the new state school‑funding formula and noted a $4.5 million gap that will be covered in the June adoption resolution.
Poudre School District staff presented a proposed fiscal‑year 2026 budget summary to the board on May 27, showing increased appropriations across funds and a newly proposed assigned reserve to anticipate funding uncertainty.
Finance staff said the new state school‑funding formula increases per‑pupil program revenue for the district and that the district projects about $11,248 per funded pupil under the new formula. The district’s proposed appropriation across all funds would total about $833 million with budgeted expenditures of roughly $661 million; the general fund proposed appropriation was shown about $524 million and proposed budgeted expenditures at $442,212,650.
Staff also proposed a new assigned reserve specifically to cover funding uncertainty: $4.3 million set aside in FY26 for potential federal or state changes that could affect district revenue (for example, changes to Head Start, federal grant programs or the Healthy Meals for All program). Staff described the reserve as one‑time, assigned money to be available to soften potential shocks while the district studies longer‑term responses.
Other budget notes from staff presentations - Debt‑free mill levy (fund M) appropriation projected to rise with inflation and was shown near $50 million in next year’s appropriations. - Food Service fund appropriation was about $17.1 million with expenditures budgeted just under $16.3 million; staff said they are monitoring Healthy Meals for All and federal program changes. - Staff estimated approximately $30 million in federal funding in the district budget, primarily IDEA (special‑education) and other federal programs.
Board discussion Board members asked about the new assigned reserve and whether the district would remain within the board’s fund‑balance policy guidelines. Staff said the district’s reserves would still sit within the board’s 3–5% recommended contingency range when combined with other assigned and unassigned reserves and that the $4.3 million assigned reserve is separate and intended to provide flexibility while further uncertainty is clarified.
Next steps The staff presentation was informational. District staff said they will return with formal adoption documents and resolutions at the June 10 board meeting to finalize appropriations and — where required — authorize use of reserves to balance next year’s budget.
Ending Board members said they appreciated the presentation and asked staff to continue monitoring revenue changes, including federal and state developments that could affect the district’s multi‑year planning.
