Director presents preliminary 2025–26 general fund budget; district projects modest reserve increase but stays below 8% target

Tina Burkholder, director of business services for the Monticello Public School District, presented the board with a preliminary review of the 2025–26 general fund budget on Monday night.

Burkholder said the district is projecting general fund revenues of about $61.1 million—an increase of roughly $1.7 million compared with the current year—and estimated expenditures of approximately $60.8 million, a decline of about $684,000 from the current-year forecast. The presentation showed an enrollment projection of 4,036 (including early childhood/birth-to-3 students), and noted an assumed 2.74% increase in state general education aid communicated in February by the state.

The director cautioned that summer unemployment funding and compensatory funding remain uncertain. Burkholder said the district currently expects an unassigned fund balance of about $4.3 million—approximately 7.1% of general fund expenditures—below the board’s 8% target in the district fund balance policy.

On the expenditure side, Burkholder listed staffing adjustments (a net reduction of about 6.9 FTEs for enrollment alignment), continued planning for special education staffing needs, and an anticipated maximum health insurance increase of up to 13%. She also noted the planned employer TRA contribution increase from 6.75% to 9.5% and said contract expirations scheduled for June 30 required estimates for next year’s obligations.

Burkholder said the district would present budget approval at the next June board meeting and that the presentation was a first look rather than a request for approval. She told the board she was “most concerned about our compensatory funds,” explaining recent formula and federal income-limit changes might reduce future compensatory revenue.

No formal action was taken; Burkholder and board members discussed timing and follow-up questions for the next meeting.