Frontier board hears revenue outlook, staffing plan to close $3M shortfall

District finance staff presented a revenue and appropriation forecast and discussed how the district plans to address a multi‑million dollar budget gap.

A presenter said the district’s revenue projection for the coming year is “just under $112,000,000” and described appropriations near the same total, implying a roughly 4.5% year‑over‑year increase in spending. The presenter said final state budget actions remain outstanding, which could tweak numbers over the summer and that final tax rates are typically confirmed in August.

Board discussion framed staffing changes as part of a multi‑year strategy to address a structural deficit the district previously carried forward. The district said it carried approximately a $3,000,000 shortfall from prior years and has used one‑time balances to delay immediate reductions; administrators said the preferred method to achieve reductions is through attrition and retirements spread over three years rather than immediate layoffs. The presenter noted a set‑aside for security camera upgrades (about $35,000) and program renovation items described on the agenda.

Board members thanked public speakers who raised concerns and reiterated they had spent many hours analyzing options. Several members described the music program as a district strength while reiterating the financial constraints that shaped staffing proposals. No formal vote on the budget was recorded during this segment; administrators said they will continue refining final figures while state budget actions are resolved and tax rates are calculated later in the summer.

The board also noted procedural items: the full state budget had not been approved at the time of the presentation and the district would finalize tax figures when state allocations are confirmed.