District previews budget: ESSER winds down, WPU value noted and district eyes 2028 bond to replace junior highs

Ogden City School District officials gave a pre-budget presentation highlighting state funding changes, the near end of federal pandemic grants and plans for capital projects that could shape the district’s finances in coming years.

Zane (district staff) told the board the state’s Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) for the coming year is $4,674. He said that winding down of federal ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds required program reductions and that the district had received roughly $36,000,000 through ESSER during the pandemic period. "We received around 36,000,000," the presentation noted.

Zane and Superintendent Luke described several capital and operational topics that will affect budgets and planning: - Architect study: the district is exploring site changes that could let a school campus accommodate local school bus operations currently run by a contractor; staff said that moving the bus operation onto district property could save about $10,000 per month in the First Student contract while requiring facility work including upgrades to the district mechanic shop and parking and field improvements. - New school and construction: Hillcrest elementary will open this fall and several other school construction projects are in planning. - Long-term capital plan and bond timing: staff outlined an amortization schedule for voter-authorized general obligation debt and noted a drop in annual debt payments beginning in 2028 that could create capacity to borrow for larger projects. The presentation proposed 2028 as a likely year to seek voter authorization to replace the district’s junior high schools when existing debt obligations fall.

On ESSER and program sustainability, Zane said the district protected some investments (Chromebooks, site technicians, and early-learning instructional assistants) but had to discontinue or reduce other items because the ESSER grant ended. Discontinued items cited in the presentation included early childhood teachers and district preschool services in some places, certain specialist positions, partnerships, social workers and therapists, and a district grant-writing specialist whose role was not replaced after retirement. Zane said these reductions were painful but part of a planned sustainability approach.

Salary and benefits projections were described alongside the budget preview: staff flagged that the adopted compensation package (discussed separately in the meeting) plus insurance increases and other changes total several million dollars; the presentation said the total fiscal impact is in the millions and that roughly $1.7 million hits the state minimum school program portion of the budget. For insurance, staff described a projected 2% increase that the district plans to split evenly with employees.

On property taxes and debt: the presentation noted Ogden’s current levy rate and compared district rates statewide. Zane explained that if the district times borrowing to align with the anticipated drop in debt service in 2028, it could replace aging junior high facilities without necessarily increasing taxpayers’ annual debt burden.

Board members asked clarifying questions during the presentation; staff said they would return with more detailed figures at a future work session and the upcoming budget hearing. No formal action was taken on the budget preview; it was presented as an informational update.

Key figures and next steps - Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) value presented: $4,674 (per 180-day student). - ESSER funding received: roughly $36,000,000 (presentation statement). - Potential operating savings by relocating bus operations: about $10,000 per month, pending facility work. - Possible bond timing: staff identified 2028 as a likely opportunity for a bond election to address junior high replacement when debt service obligations decline.

The board scheduled follow-up budget work sessions and will review detailed budget documents before adopting a final budget.