Pine‑Richland draft budget shows $2.8M operating gap; board weighs leaning on reserves, fees or up to 4% millage

District finance staff presented a first draft of the Pine‑Richland School District 2025–26 general fund budget to the finance joint governance meeting, reporting an operating deficit of roughly $2,776,000 and seeking options that range from structural revenue changes to temporary uses of reserves.

Chris Jeswick, speaking for district finance staff, summarized the draft numbers and drivers: increased salary and benefits, higher special‑education tuition and growing utility costs. Jeswick said the draft assumes no millage increase and that the district reduced the draft capital program this year from $8.9 million to $6.9 million to manage cash flow. He said projected salary and benefit increases account for the largest portion of the budget change and that the district budgeted a 1% increase in state basic and special education funding in line with the governor’s proposed state budget.

Why it matters: Jeswick said the district’s current operating shortfall is about $2.776…