Regional School District 15 board reviews 2025–26 budget proposal including facilities director and data manager positions

At a Feb. 24 meeting, the Regional School District 15 Board of Education reviewed a proposed $4.49% increase in the 2025–26 operating budget that district presenters said would preserve programs, address staffing needs and begin multiyear investments in aging school infrastructure.

Superintendent presented the budget overview and said the proposal aims to maintain current programs while funding a mix of one‑time and recurring facility investments, contractual cost increases and a small number of new or restored positions. The plan includes re‑establishing a director of facilities position (presented cost about $125,000), adding $100,000 annually to the operating capital line to smooth larger capital repairs, and creating a district data manager role by repurposing an existing unfilled central office line with a net salary increase of roughly $30,000.

Why it matters: district leaders told the board that many HVAC units, especially at the high school, are at or near end‑of‑life and that planned, multi‑year replacement improves eligibility for state reimbursement; they warned that emergency replacements would forfeit reimbursement opportunities. The district also flagged a…