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Board reviews preliminary 2025–26 budget; teacher pay bump and possible new FTEs tied to state funding
Summary
Administrators presented a preliminary operating budget that assumes a flat state adequacy target, proposes a $500 increase to the teacher pay base (with comparable raises for noncertified staff), and lists priority FTE requests that would be funded if state revenue increases.
District finance staff and the superintendent presented a preliminary operating budget for the 2025–26 school year and walked trustees through revenue assumptions, expenditures and a prioritized list of staffing requests.
Finance director Mr. Hooper said the draft budget assumes a flat state adequacy target (SAT) as of the board presentation and shows an operating revenue estimate of about $64.1 million. The administration proposed a $500 increase to the teacher base (and comparable percentage increases for noncertified and administrative schedules) and budgeted $900,000 for health premium overages next year, up from the current‑year estimate.
Superintendent Dr. Welly said administration will scale the budget if the legislature increases the SAT; higher state funding would be channeled into salary increases and additional full‑time equivalents (FTEs) the board has prioritized, including special education staffing and a possible fifth school resource officer. “If we get additional funding from the state,” Dr. Welly said, “we're willing to make that move at this time.”
Board members discussed a list of priority FTEs and a longer “wish list.” Administration said several staffing requests have already been approved this spring and that the district will bring forward specific FTE requests (for example, special education paraprofessionals) at the May board meeting as needed.
The board did not vote on the budget at the meeting. Administration said it will update the draft once the legislature finalizes funding and return with a formal budget recommendation.
