Hickman County Board adopts FY2026 budget despite projected $2.9 million shortfall

The Hickman County Board of Education on May 5 approved the district'9s fiscal year 2026 budget after district leaders described a multi-million-dollar projected shortfall and urged local steps to stabilize revenues.

Director of Schools John Mullins and district finance staff presented the budget package and a projection the district will spend about $2,906,338 more than it will receive in revenues in the coming year. Mullins told the board the district is "entering this school year with $8,729,492," and projected an ending fund balance of $5,823,154 on June 30, 2026 if the budget proceeds as presented.

Mullins and district finance staff attributed the shortfall to several causes: state-mandated pay increases for teachers, an ongoing enrollment decline that the district estimates cost roughly $350,000 this year, a projected reduction…