Beloit School Board reviews preliminary 2025-26 budget with cuts, OPEB transfer and state aid uncertainty

The Beloit School District Board of Education heard a presentation Tuesday on the district’s preliminary 2025-26 budget, including proposed reductions of just over $3 million, a $1,156,000 transfer from the district’s OPEB (other post-employment benefits) trust and continued uncertainty about final state aid.

The presentation matters because final state aid and membership figures that determine the district’s revenue limit are not certified until October, leaving the district to craft a conservative budget now and to revise it later as state numbers become available.

Dr. Garrison, the district superintendent, opened the presentation and asked board members to pause and ask questions during the slide deck. Stephanie Elwood, a district staff member who led the budget presentation, said, “The budget that we're presenting tonight is a balanced budget. It is very conservative.” Elwood said the district used a three-year membership average of 6,203 for planning; actual membership last year was 6,276 and final membership will be set on the third Friday count in September.

Elwood said the budget includes projected per-pupil revenue limit authority of $11,655.27 — which assumes no changes in state law — and reflects conservative spending…