Meade School District holds budget hearing; trustees alerted to General Fund deficit for FY2026–27 and FY2027–28

Meade School District 46-1 held a budget hearing on June 16 where Business Manager Brett Burditt presented the proposed 2025–26 budget and fund balances, and the superintendent described a process to address projected General Fund deficits for FY2026–27 and FY2027–28.

The hearing began at 6:00 p.m.; Burditt reviewed line-item claims and month‑end balances across funds. The minutes list a General Fund ending balance of $6,207,491.42 as of May 31, 2025, and include detailed vendor claims and fund summaries. The board discussed two options for the Capital Outlay levy; minutes note that the Special Education levy is set at the statutory minimum and that the General Fund rate is determined by the state legislature.

During the hearing the superintendent presented the projected multi-year General Fund deficit and a process intended to correct it; a public question-and-answer period followed. The minutes record the presentation and Q&A but do not list specific deficit figures, proposed cuts, or new revenue measures tied to the corrective process.

Board members asked questions and engaged in discussion about levy options and the timing of corrective actions. No formal vote on deficit-correction measures was taken at the June 16 meeting; action items recorded that evening focused on approving the strategic plan and routine operational matters. The minutes direct administrative follow-up (business office and department-level tasking) but do not enumerate firm deadlines for specific corrective actions.

What happens next: The district will proceed with administrative follow-up on budget and levy options; specific corrective measures for FY2026–27 and FY2027–28 were not adopted at the hearing and remain to be developed and approved by the board.