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Board hears FY26 budget update; administration outlines $19 million in reductions and schedules special budget input meeting
Summary
The St. Paul Public Schools administration on March 18 briefed the Board of Education on a projected $51.1 million FY26 shortfall and a plan combining $19 million in reductions and revenue adjustments with reserve use to stay above a 5 percent unassigned fund-balance target.
Superintendent Tyne and district finance and operations chiefs presented a fiscal 2026 budget update March 18 that outlined a projected $51.1 million shortfall, proposed reductions of roughly $19 million and a plan to draw on fund balance while maintaining a minimum unassigned fund balance above 5 percent.
Tom Sager, executive chief of financial services, said the district initially identified a $51.1 million deficit and proposed a mix of expense reductions and revenue adjustments amounting to about $19 million. The plan included drawing assigned and unassigned fund balance to reduce the shortfall and projected an unassigned fund balance of roughly $37.9 million (about 5.17 percent) at the end of FY26.
The presentation described guiding principles: prioritize classroom supports and early education, sustain enrollment-related spending, minimize impacts on students and staff and reduce layers of central office staffing. Divisions have identified targets: schools and learning ($6.0M), administration and operations ($4.0M), and business/HR/equity ($1.5M), plus other reductions; the district also plans revenue increases (e.g., higher-than-expected state per-pupil aid, fund 2 chargebacks, medical assistance offsets and proceeds from iPad sales) to help close the gap.
Chiefs said school allocations will be distributed to principals with updated toolkits; staffing allocations include modest net increases tied to enrollment (net +76 full-time school staff, including +34 secondary teachers) and one additional principal for a new middle school. District departments were asked to reduce contracts, travel and nonessential supplies and to find operational efficiencies.
Board members and administration noted the budget process remains dynamic. The board scheduled a special public input meeting on the FY26 budget for April 29 at 5:30 p.m. (360 Colborne, Conference Rooms A and B) and administration said it intends to bring a budget adoption request to the board on June 10, 2025.
Votes at a glance - Motion: Approve order of the main agenda. Mover: Board Chair (recorded as the chair). Second: Director Carrillo. Vote: unanimous (Directors Vu, Allen, Carrillo, Franco, Valiant, Henderson voting yes). Outcome: approved. - Motion: Approve consent agenda (no items pulled). Mover: Board Chair. Second: Director Carrillo. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved. - Motion: Approve minutes of the regular meeting (02/18/2025) and special meeting (02/24/2025). Mover: Board Chair. Second: Director Vu. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved. - Motion: Accept Committee of the Board report (03/04/2025) and approve recommended motions and minutes. Mover: Director Valiant. Second: Director Vu. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved. - Motion: Schedule special meeting for public input on FY26 budget on April 29 at 5:30 p.m. Mover: Board Chair. Second: Director Carrillo. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved. - Motion: Adjourn. Vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.
Ending: Administration will send school and departmental toolkits to building leaders; the board will hold a special public meeting on April 29 for public comment and plans to ask for formal budget adoption on June 10, 2025.
