District says May forecast narrows multi‑year shortfall; board weighs levy timing and staffing cuts

A finance staff member told the Board of Education that a May update to the districtfive‑year forecast reduces the near‑term deficit and restores a positive cash balance in later years, but officials still face choices over staffing reductions and the timing and size of a possible levy.

"So, now, we're looking at a deficit spend of about $1,200,000," the finance staff member said, describing the May forecast. The staff member said the change from the November forecast is largely a timing issue tied to a career‑technical grant: the district advanced about $1.9 million of a roughly $2 million grant and expects state reimbursement after the fiscal year ends.

The forecast narrows a previous shortfall that the presenter said had been about $2.9 million and projects a positive cash balance of about $9.7 million in 2029 under the current assumptions. Revenue assumptions in the presentation include 68% from local taxes, 22% from state funding (including the fair school funding plan and homestead rollback reimbursements), and roughly $11 million from other sources. Projected interest income was listed as $2.0 million in 2026, $1.6 million in 2027 and 2028, and $1.5 million in 2029.

Why it matters: the forecast underpins the districtdiscussion over whether to place a replacement/additional levy on the ballot in 2025 or 2026 and how much to ask for. The finance staff member presented two timing options that both used a…