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Union Public Schools board approves FY2025–26 estimate of needs, operational budgets and staffing additions
Summary
The Union Public Schools Board approved the district's FY2025–26 estimate of needs and operational budgets, setting a statutory ceiling for the general fund and approving building and child nutrition budgets. The board also approved 12 certified positions and other staffing additions amid a small drop in average daily membership.
Union Public Schools Board of Education voted to approve the district’s FY2025–26 estimate of needs document and the operational budgets for the general, building and child nutrition funds at its meeting.
The estimate of needs sets the legal ceiling for the district’s budget; the document lists the general fund appropriation limit at $176,925,539.32. Trustees also approved a proposed general fund revenue total of $153,745,282 and an expenditure total of $154,749,687 for FY2025–26. The district reported an ending general fund balance from the prior year of $20,300,000, about 13% of revenue (the state limit is 17%).
Chief financial staff presented details showing the district’s revenue mix remains heavily dependent on state sources (about 56% of the general fund) and noted a reduction in average daily membership (ADM). The presentation recorded district membership at 14,008.44 — a decline of 113.66 pupils — and a weighted student count reduction of 153.55, which contributed to a reduction in state aid allocations.
The board-approved budget includes additions of 12 certified teaching or certified positions, eight classroom aides, custodial positions and several specialized roles the finance presentation named as an aerospace and medical academy teacher, a math position, three early childhood positions, a Title I-funded reading specialist, a parent-community liaison, a Red Hawks RISE teacher, a DRS work-adjustment program teacher and a family and student support specialist. Presentation slides and staff comments emphasized that roughly 89% of the general fund is dedicated to salaries and benefits.
Trustees also approved the building fund and the child nutrition fund budgets. The presentation said the building fund remains primarily supported by ad valorem taxes and interest; the report cited a Redbud Fund allocation from the state of $22,250,000 available for building fund purposes. The child nutrition fund was projected to have about $12,000,000 in revenue and was presented with a conservative expenditure estimate to allow for potential price increases in food and commodities.
Board members asked clarifying questions about the estimate ceiling, assessed valuation and how state aid changes affected the budget. Staff responded that the appropriation number is a legal ceiling that the board is unlikely to fully appropriate. The board approved the estimate of needs and budgets by voice vote with all members present voting yes.
The approved documents will be submitted to the county excise board as required by state law.
