Preliminary budget review: district reports 150-student decline, higher property valuation and pay adjustments

Business services presented a preliminary budget update to the board on Oct. 8 noting three large changes since August: a drop of roughly 150 students on the third‑Friday count, a markedly higher equalized property valuation and updated staffing audits that allowed a modest salary adjustment.

Mr. Cromie said the district was down about 150 students overall: roughly 20 fewer open‑enrollment students and roughly 130 fewer resident students. He said the 4‑K projection was notably lower and the typical 4‑K to 5‑K progression did not materialize this year.

Cromie said the district conservatively projected 2.5% valuation growth in August but the certified equalized property valuation came back at 9.56% growth. He said district staff reconciled individual personnel records to ensure salaries and benefits were accurate and, by combining updated staffing and valuation figures, were able to set a minimum salary increase for all staff at 3.2% and an aggregated teacher increase of about 4.19% while remaining cautious about guaranteeing that as an annual practice.

Cromie also said the district is not proposing a defeasance this year (it had used defeasance in prior years to reduce long‑term debt) and showed a projected mill rate of $7.70 compared with $8.71 the prior year, and a final property tax projection of $40,915,503. He explained that the general aid certification due Oct. 15 will finalize general state aid and voucher‑program numbers and could change the revenue‑limit authority and property‑tax figures.

Board members asked about causes for the 4‑K and kindergarten shortfall, and staff recommended watching multi‑year trends, exploring family engagement and considering program options (for example, full‑day or supplemental programming) if the decline persists. No final budget adoption occurred at the meeting; staff said further adjustments will follow after the Oct. 15 state certifications.