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District presents 2025–26 preliminary budgets; food service to spend down fund balance, community service projects modest growth
Summary
Business services staff presented draft 2025–26 budgets for multiple funds, outlining assumptions for food service reimbursements, community education, hockey fund operations, debt service, self‑insured dental and an OPEB trust. No final budget vote was taken; general fund details will return in June.
Director of business services Tina Burkholder presented preliminary budget reports for the 2025–26 fiscal year at the May 5 board meeting.
Burkholder told the board the presentation covered non‑general funds and that the general fund will be presented for review in June. For the food service fund, staff plan to spend down the fund balance and are projecting a 3–4% increase in federal reimbursement rates; Burkholder said breakfast revenues were projected at about $185,000 and lunch revenues at about $480,000. She also noted labor contract settlements remain an unknown and that food service is in its second year under self‑operation, limiting trend data for food costs.
On the community service fund, which includes community education, ECFE, adult basic education and school readiness, staff projected a near $100,000 increase in fund balance driven by increased youth participation, projected growth in facility rentals and the transfer of middle school activities to the community service fund on a budget‑neutral basis. The Magic Adventures childcare program and expected facility rentals were noted as revenue drivers.
The hockey fund — which the district maintains separately although it closes to community service for state reporting — was budgeted to be self‑sustaining in partnership with the Monticello Youth Hockey Association; surplus or deficit sharing arrangements were summarized. Burkholder reminded the board the youth hockey association owns the arena and that a transfer of ownership is scheduled roughly in 2032.
Debt service, internal service (self‑insured dental) and the district’s irrevocable OPEB trust were reviewed. Debt service is funded largely by property tax revenue and bond payments; internal service anticipates a 4% increase in dental claims; the OPEB trust will continue to account for retiree obligations and staff noted actuarial results pending that may alter levy or trust use going forward.
Burkholder stressed the presentation was for review; the complete budget book will follow and the general fund will return for formal action in June. Board members asked clarifying questions about administrative fees, program enrollment assumptions and the mechanics of the hockey fund.
