Jefferson City board approves $172.1 million total-expenditures budget for 2025–26

The Jefferson City School Board voted in favor of the district's 2025'26 budget and an adjustment to the 2024'25 budget at its June 2025 meeting.

The board approved a budget presentation that projects approximately $172.1 million in total expenditures for fiscal 2025'26, driven primarily by capital projects funded in part by bonds issued in April. The presenter, Sherry LePage, told the board the district expects roughly $162.3 million in revenues for the same period, producing a year-to-year deficit concentrated in the capital projects fund.

Why it matters: the budget sets the district's spending priorities for the coming school year, confirms planned transfers to capital projects tied to voter-approved work, and includes pay and staffing recommendations that affect classroom operations and personnel costs.

Sherry LePage summarized the major drivers: a $30 million bond issuance recorded in April that will show revenue in 2025 and capital expenses in 2026 and 2027; a projected operating fund balance of about $68.4 million (approximately 54.1% of operating expenditures) at the end of fiscal 2026; and a district reserve goal of 35% of annual operating expenditures to cover the June'January property tax timing gap. LePage said the district currently projects a surplus for 2025 and 2026 and expects a deficit in fiscal 2028 under current assumptions.

LePage gave a breakdown of revenue sources and major expense categories. Property taxes remain the largest revenue source; state foundation funding and federal grants comprise other significant portions. She noted the district's federal revenue share has fallen from about 12% in 2024 to roughly 8.9% in the proposed budget. The presentation also described interest income growth and called out the debt-service picture: the district has outstanding general-obligation bond debt of about $193 million and a debt-service fund the presenter described as "pretty strong."

On personnel and compensation, the budget package recommends a teacher salary increase that combines a percentage step and one-time/base adjustments: "4 teachers, 1 step, and $1,500 to the base plus an additional $300 to the base for the hundred and 69 day incentive," LePage said in the presentation, and she added this "will bring our starting teacher salary to $43.03" as stated in the slides. The proposal also recommends classification increases and minimum-pay adjustments for hourly staff (custodial, paraprofessionals, food-service) to remain compliant with minimum-wage requirements. The budget requests funding for 12 new staff positions, mainly to support the new early childhood center and nine additional classrooms.

Board members asked clarifying questions about property-tax reassessment timing, the state adequacy target, and federal Title allocations. LePage said assessed valuation for tax-rate calculation arrives in July and the district will amend the budget if necessary; she also noted a recent recalculation of the state adequacy target could add roughly $1 million and that a signed state budget could add further funding.

Action: the board approved the 2025'26 budget and instructed staff to adjust the 2024'25 budget to actuals. The motion was made by Lindsey Robin and seconded by Anne Blumke Warren; the vote was taken by voice and the motion carried.

The district's presentation materials, as described at the meeting, show the capital-project timing and bond proceeds as the principal reason the combined-funds expenditures exceed projected revenues for the year.